How to Disable Google Play Protect on Your Android GMS Device (and Why You Might Want To)

Google Play Protect is a security feature designed to safeguard Android devices by continuously scanning apps for harmful behavior, providing security updates, and offering safe browsing and device location services. It is specifically available on Android devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS) but not on those using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). In certain scenarios, like when developers need to test new apps that are not from the Google Play Store, it may be necessary to temporarily disable Play Protect, which can block unsigned or improperly signed applications. Users can disable Play Protect through the Google Play Store app settings or via ADB shell commands, although it's crucial to re-enable it after testing to maintain device security. The ADB shell provides a command-line interface for advanced management and interaction with the device, which can be particularly beneficial for developers.