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1h ago

Google to Require Verified Developers for All Android App Installs, Including Sideloading

The company says linking installs on certified phones to confirmed publishers will curb malware and fraud, supported by a new developer console and a lighter path for students and hobbyists.

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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 begin in October 2025, verification opens to all developers in March 2026, and enforcement starts in September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, with global expansion from 2027.
  • The policy covers every install method on certified Android devices with Google services, including third‑party app stores and direct APKs; non‑certified builds without GMS are not affected.
  • Google describes the process as an identity check rather than an app review, and says sideloading remains available to developers who complete verification.
  • Reporting indicates developers will submit legal identity and contact details, organizations may need a D‑U‑N‑S number, and apps will be linked by registering package names and signing keys.
  • Google cites internal analysis of over 50× higher malware rates from internet‑sideloaded sources and points to support from Brazilian banking and Indonesian and Thai ministries, as critics warn the change curtails anonymity and openness.