Android users in several Southeast Asian countries will soon have a simpler way to install apps outside Google Play. But the December 1 rollout comes with restrictions that could leave many phones waiting.

Google opened enrollment for its Registered App Stores program on October 27, ahead of a launch that will let approved third-party marketplaces offer one-tap installations and automatic updates. The change could make alternative app stores more convenient, although availability will vary by country, device, and marketplace.

Users will need Android 17 QPR2 or later, an eligible home account country, and access to an approved marketplace. Even in supported markets, the feature will not reach every device immediately.

Which Southeast Asian Android users qualify?

Google’s supported-country list explicitly includes Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.…