Overview

• Google announced a staged plan: pilot tests in October 2025, developer registration in March 2026, and enforcement from September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand before a global rollout through 2027.
• Only apps from registered publishers that are digitally signed will install on certified Android devices, with non-certified devices excluded from the requirement.
• Registration requires name, address, email and phone details, often a government photo ID, and in German-speaking regions an ID issued by an EEA or Swiss authority, plus a one-time $25 fee.
• Legal entities must obtain a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet, a process that can take up to 30 days.
• Google says verification will not include content or malware checks, a security stance welcomed by some authorities in pilot countries but criticized for extending Google's control over alternative app distribution.