Google kicks CyanogenMod Installer out of Play Store

Users wanting to move their Android device over to CyanogenMod, an alternative open-source Android distribution that is based on the official releases of Android, will have to return to sideloading the installer, after the CyanogenMod Installer app was voluntarily removed by CyanogenMod after being given an ultimatum to remove the app from Google.

Writing in a blog post, CyanogenMod said that it was contacted by Google for violating the terms of the Google Play store, and was advised to voluntarily pull the app from the store, or Google would remove it "administratively".

"We have complied with their wishes while we wait for a more favourable resolution," wrote ciwrl, CyanogenMod's head moderator.

"After reaching out to the Play team, their feedback was that though application itself is harmless, since it 'encourages users to void their warranty', it would not be allowed to remain in the store."

Launched only two weeks ago, the CyanogenMod Installer makes the process of unlocking an Android device's bootloader and installing CyanogenMod much easier than it had previously been.

Although the app is now removed from the store, it is still able to be installed from CyanogenMod's website.

CyanogenMod said that in the two weeks the app was available, it had seen "hundreds of thousands of installations".