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Google to Require Verified Developer IDs for All Android App Installs Including Sideloading

Google says the change will curb malware by ending anonymous app publishing on certified devices.

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Attendees visit the Google booth where a model of the Android logo is on display at CES 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 06, 2023. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Early access invitations open in October 2025, verification becomes available to all developers in March 2026.
  • Mandatory enforcement begins in September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a broader rollout starting in 2027.
  • A new Android Developer Console will handle identity checks and app registration for distribution outside Google Play.
  • The policy applies only to certified Android devices with Google Mobile Services, leaving non‑certified builds unaffected.
  • Public docs outline required IDs and business details and promise a lighter, no‑fee path for students and hobbyists, but technical enforcement specifics remain unspecified.