Google is implementing significant changes affecting how Android users install applications. The company has announced that it will restrict the installation of unverified apps on Android devices. This update marks a shift from the current system, where users have the flexibility to install apps from sources outside the official Google Play Store, commonly known as sideloading.
The core of the new policy involves requiring that certified Android devices only install apps from verified developers. Previously, the verification process was mainly applicable to developers publishing apps on the Google Play Store. Now, developers creating third-party apps will also need to undergo verification by Google. Google is preparing a new Android Developer Console to manage this process, where developers must register.
The testing of the new system will commence in October 2025. The Android Developer Console will be available to all developers from March 2026. The regulations will be first introduced in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026. The full implementation is anticipated to be global by 2027.
Google cites that sideloaded applications are at a 50-fold higher risk of carrying malware. Verification is intended to help identify legitimate developers and combat fraudulent developers who repackage banned apps under different names. Google points to the success of Play Store verification, which, since 2023, has seen a decrease in malware, fraud, and data breaches.
Users will be affected by only being able to install third-party apps from Google-verified developers. If an app is from an unverified developer, it will not be installable on certified Android phones. This does not apply to custom ROMs or devices that do not come with Google services pre-installed, like those found in China.
This change has also been influenced by the legal battle between Epic Games and Google. The court ruled that Google must allow third-party app stores to exist on the Play Store. This legal outcome has encouraged Google to enforce stricter regulations to retain control over app distribution.