Overview
- Google says it is designing a coercion‑resistant sideloading flow that lets experienced users proceed with unverified app installs after acknowledging explicit risks.
- The advanced flow remains in early design, and Google plans to share more details in the coming months after collecting community feedback.
- Early access to developer verification begins today in the Android Developer Console for developers distributing outside Google Play, with Play Console invitations to follow.
- Google argues verification is needed to counter social‑engineering scams, citing campaigns that push users to sideload malware posing as bank “verification” tools.
- A dedicated account type for students and hobbyists is in development to allow limited distribution without full verification, and existing Play distribution requirements remain unchanged.