Overview

• New coverage says every app installed on certified Android devices will need a verified developer identity, including apps from alternative stores such as F‑Droid.
• The move expands 2023 rules that previously applied only to Google Play submissions to encompass any installed app.
• Reports differ on mechanics: TalkAndroid says developers must submit government ID and register each package name, while Phandroid says off‑Play apps can use self‑verification outside Google’s channels.
• F‑Droid and open‑source advocates warn the mandate could shrink third‑party app catalogs and raise barriers for hobbyist or pseudonymous developers.
• TalkAndroid reports testing in select countries before a global rollout in 2026, with enforcement details and exemptions still unclear.