From PC Mag: Do you sideload apps on your Android device? Enjoy while you can, because Google will soon only allow apps from verified developers.
Starting next year, app installs on certified Android devices will be possible only if the developer has been verified by Google. The company compares the move to an "ID check at the airport," and says it is intended to tackle malicious actors who impersonate developers and their brand image to trick users into downloading fake apps.
"This creates crucial accountability, making it much harder for malicious actors to quickly distribute another harmful app after we take the first one down," Suzanne Frey, VP of product, trust and growth for Android, says in a blog post.
Google has had a similar developer verification program for Google Play since 2023. Now, it will also be mandatory for apps distributed outside of the app store. The program will launch in Brazil, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand in late 2026 and expand to other markets in 2027, though you can request early access now. Those invites start going out in October.
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