Android 9.0 will ban developers from using unofficial APIs

According to the developer forum XDA, a recent submission report in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) found that Android 9.0 may restrict applications from accessing undocumented APIs in the Android SDK.

Let's first explain what API (Application Programming Interface) is. Let's take a simple example, such as Weibo's public API. Developers can get Weibo data based on these API interfaces, and then develop a third-party Weibo client. Developers only need to call these interfaces directly from the program without having to consider how to implement this function.

For developers, this is something very useful. The Android Software Development Kit (SDK) provides developers with the API libraries and tools they need to test and build new Android applications. With each new version of Android, there are a series of new APIs available for developers to use through the Android SDK.

However, this development kit is managed by Google, and not all APIs are submitted to Google. Many useful APIs are not authenticated or are directly hidden. Now many forums or forums for gamers have many software developed by individuals using these APIs. But with the update of Android 9.0, Google may completely ban access to hidden APIs.

The most obvious change brought about by this trend is that the Android system may reduce a lot of auxiliary functional software developed by third-party developers in the future, such as some ad-removal plug-ins, button mapping, sign-in assistants, etc. In fact, Google started to clean up such software in the Play Store in November last year.

Indeed, many people use this type of API to create some malicious software with viruses, but most applications without authentication APIs are benign. They are also a platform for Android developers to show their creativity and promote the development of the Android system. For example, the early status bar immersive plug-ins have now been integrated into the system by major Android phone manufacturers.

Android's openness is a double-edged sword. We understand that Google may lock access to all hidden APIs in Android P to protect users from junk applications that abuse these APIs. But does Google need to carefully consider whether to limit Android's openness? A developer on the XDA forum bluntly said that the Android system is now more and more like a second iOS.