In Android 14, Google introduced the update ownership API, which allows the app store to claim ownership of its installed applications. For example, for applications installed from Google Play, Google Play will claim update ownership. If the user updates from other stores or directly through APK, the system can detect and pop up a notification.
This new API is essentially a security feature. Its main purpose is to remind users of potential risks in downloading, installing, and updating applications outside the store. Therefore, users must read the notification and confirm twice before updating.
Initially, the update ownership pop-up was limited to Google Pixel series devices and Google’s own apps, but over time, third-party apps now also appear on non-Pixel devices.
According to news released by AndroidPolice, users using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra found that this notification also appeared when they updated AccuWeather through APK.
This will not affect users' continued sideloading of updates, but Google may quickly expand the coverage of applications in the future. After all, the largest application store is Google Play, and Google can claim update ownership for more applications and then pop up windows.
It is worth noting that the pop-up window will only pop up once for the same application. For example, the next time the user updates AccuWeather, the pop-up window will not pop up again. If the user installs other applications, the pop-up window will pop up again.
In addition, based on security considerations, Google Play Protect will perform security scans every time for applications installed or updated by users to reduce the chance of malware intrusion as much as possible.