Overview
- Google began rolling out developer identity checks to all Android developers on Monday through Play Console and the new Android Developer Console.
- In April 2026, a new Android Developer Verifier system service will appear on devices to check whether an app is tied to a verified developer.
- From September 30, 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, only apps registered to verified developers will install or update on certified Android devices.
- Users who try to load an unregistered app will need ADB, a developer tool for direct installs, or an advanced sideloading flow that adds an authentication step and a one-time 24-hour wait.
- Developers already verified in Play will have eligible apps auto-registered, a free limited distribution account for students and hobbyists opens to early invites in June and launches globally in August, and the requirement expands worldwide in 2027.