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In previous versions of Android one could go to Personal > Security and there disable the Unknown sources setting in order to install freely APKs from unknown origins. In Androi Oreo this was changed and this field is no longer in the Settings. I looked everywhere and was unable to find it. So now, when my app tries to install another APK from an unreliable source, I get a Popup saying "Allow Google to regularly check device activity for security problems..." with a Decline and Accept options.

My question: imagine that I factory reset my Android Oreo device, is there a setting that I can set or a system property to modify that will prevent this anoying popup to appear? Does someone know how to disable its appereance?

PS: Please don't answer "just hit decline". That is not the answer I am looking for, nor a viable option.

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In previous versions of Android, one could control the system-wide app installation from unknown sources, which saved time but was risky. Having refined control over settings makes your device more secure.
Moreover, the mechanism has now been shifted to app-specific instead of system-wide, that is you can now control app installation from particular apps.
In order to modify that, head to settings and search for 'Unknown Sources', and you'll find Special App Permissions. In order to always allow a specific app to install apps, toggle it 'allowed'.

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  • Hello @Danish Shakeel, the app I want to allow installation of unreliable apps is in the /system partition but does not appear in the list. I can only see Chrome and Explorer. Do you know why?
    – Storo
    Oct 28, 2019 at 17:39
  • Which app is it? Please share the complete location.
    – Danish Shakeel
    Oct 28, 2019 at 17:40
  • It is an app called ProvisioningManager that we built and installed it in the /system/priv-app/ folder. The full path to the APK is /system/priv-app/ProvisioningManager/ProvisioningManager.apk.
    – Storo
    Oct 28, 2019 at 17:42
  • DOWNLOAD_WITHOUT_NOTIFICATION is irrelevant here. @Storo you need to request permission INSTALL_PACKAGES (only for system apps) or REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES in app manifest. In latter case send intent ACTION_INSTALL_PACKAGE.
    – Irfan Latif
    Oct 28, 2019 at 21:05
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    @DanishShakeel system permissions can't be granted or denied, those just need to be requested in Manifest. But the app must be a system app, not just placed in /system directory. You may try to trick the OS grant a system permission to non-system app, if rooted: android.stackexchange.com/a/217522/218526. REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES can be granted to a non-system app (if requested in Manifest) by appops set <PKG> REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES allow or through GUI.
    – Irfan Latif
    Oct 29, 2019 at 21:16

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