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3h ago

Google Will Require Verified Developer IDs for All Apps on Certified Android Devices

Framed as a malware deterrent, the policy starts early access in October 2025 and begins enforcement in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand in September 2026 ahead of a wider global rollout.

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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

  • Enforcement timeline: early access in October 2025, open to all developers in March 2026, required from September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, with global expansion from 2027.
  • The rule covers every install method on certified devices, including third‑party app stores and direct APK sideloading, and Google says distribution choices remain permitted.
  • Google cites internal analysis finding over 50 times more malware from internet‑sideloaded sources than from apps on Google Play as the primary rationale.
  • A new Android Developer Console will support verification for non‑Play distribution, with a lighter path for students and hobbyists; developers provide identity details, and organizations may need credentials such as a D‑U‑N‑S number.
  • Devices running non‑Google, non‑certified Android builds are out of scope, and initial reactions include support from authorities in Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand alongside concerns about reduced openness and added friction for hobbyists.