Total Commander is forbidden to install APK files on Android

Total Commander is a file management application that is quite popular on both Android and Windows. Details of the incident have been posted on Google's forums as well as on Reddit.

Specifically, Google sent a notice to the developer of Total Commander to indicate that this application is in danger of being removed from the Play Store. The reason given by Google is that Total Commander is a device and network abuser based on the stipulation that apps in the Play Store cannot download executable files from sources outside of the Play Store.

Total Commander is forbidden to install APK files on Android Picture 1

"An app distributed via Google Pkay must not modify, replace, or update itself by any method other than Google Play's update mechanism. Likewise, an app must not download code executable (eg dex, JAR, .so file) from a source other than Google Play.

This restriction does not apply to code running in virtual machines or interpreters where indirect access to Android APIs is provided (such as JavaScript in webview or browser mode).

As mentioned before, your app (APK versions 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, and 1036) allows users to spread or install the app from unknown sources outside of Google Play", Google To share.

This is a somewhat odd situation because Total Commander is a file manager and must be allowed to install APK files just like what Google's own Files app or browsers like Chrome can do.

Google can also allow Total Commander to make adjustments to ensure user safety while still being able to install the APK file. Besides, APK files of installed applications on the device can also be backed up and then restored with Total Commander. All solutions are not considered and it seems that Google likes to ban it quickly and if not complying even get removed.

Jessica Tanner

Update 21 May 2022