In August 2025, Google announced that starting next year, it will no longer be possible to develop apps for the Android platform without first registering centrally with Google. This registration will involve:
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Paying a fee to Google
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Agreeing to Google’s Terms and Conditions
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Providing government identification
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Uploading evidence of the developer’s private signing key
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Listing all current and future application identifiers
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Here is the https://keepandroidopen.org/
HarmonyOS seems to want to be this.
It’s also very locked down (more than Android is currently) so unfortunately I don’t think it will ever be a viable alternative for those desiring an open operating system.