Google Will Require Developer Verification For Android Apps Outside The Play Store

Google is tightening information measures astir Android app distribution, nan institution announced connected Monday. Starting adjacent year, Google will statesman to verify nan identities of developers distributing their apps connected Android devices, not conscionable those who administer via nan Play Store. The changes will impact each certified Android devices erstwhile live, though nan world rollout will beryllium much gradual.

The tech elephantine stresses that this does not mean developers can’t administer extracurricular of nan Play Store done different app stores aliases via sideloading — Android will stay unfastened successful that regard. However, developers who appreciated nan anonymity of replacement distribution methods will nary longer person that option. Google says this will thief to trim down connected bad actors who hide their personality to administer malware, perpetrate financial fraud, aliases bargain users’ individual data.

According to its ain survey, Google says that much than 50 times much malware came done internet-sideloaded sources compared pinch Google Play, wherever it has required developer verification since 2023.

Initially, Google will let willing developers to motion up for early entree starting successful October 2025 to trial nan strategy and supply feedback. In March 2026, verification will spell unrecorded for each developers. By September 2026, immoderate app installed connected an Android instrumentality successful Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand will person to meet nan caller requirements. Starting successful 2027, nan requirements will statesman rolling retired globally.

Developers will person to supply their ineligible name, address, email, and telephone number, which could push independent developers to registry arsenic a business for their ain privacy’s sake. Apple implemented a akin alteration for nan EU App Store earlier this twelvemonth to comply pinch the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regularisation that now requires app developers to supply their “trader status” to taxable caller apps aliases app updates for distribution.

Google notes that student and hobbyist developers will beryllium capable to usage a abstracted type of Android Developer Console relationship erstwhile this strategy rolls out, arsenic their needs disagree from commercialized developers.

The changes could person a important effect connected nan Android app ecosystem and app distribution, arsenic Google useful to trim down connected nan information issues and malware that person typically plagued its platform.