As you probably know, Google recently launched first beta Androidat 13, while the new system should be formally introduced sometime in the fall. A now-famous leaker has revealed one of his upcoming security changes that many users may not like.
A leaker going by the name Esper on social media discovered that Android 13 has protections in place to prevent sideloaded apps from using the Accessibility API. Specifically, for sideloaded applications v Androidu 13 show that the settings for accessibility features are "not available".
Gallery
Why is Google making this change? Android 13 gives a clear answer to this: For our safety. The aforementioned interface can be a very powerful tool for extending the application's capabilities when used correctly. It is primarily designed to allow developers to develop applications that can be used by people with various disabilities, but there are other use cases that are useful for any user. On the other hand, it is abused by malicious apps, which is why Google has been cracking down on apps trying to use such interfaces for a long time. Within Androidat 12, the technology giant, in its words, "substantially reduced the unnecessary, dangerous or unauthorized" use of these interfaces. With the next version Androidu wants to go even further in this direction.
You could be interested in
It is important to add that this change will not apply to all sideloaded applications. Google has confirmed that it will apply to APK files, not apps downloaded from third-party stores. So the goal of the change seems to be to limit access to applications from "less trusted" sources. There is also a hidden setting on the app details page that will allow the phone owner to verify their identity and access these newly restricted settings.
