Google to require developer verification for all Android apps, including sideloading

Google is introducing a new identity verification system for Android app developers, extending beyond the Play Store to cover all certified Android devices. The move, set to begin rolling out in 2026, will require developers distributing apps through third-party app stores or sideloading to undergo verification.

The company says the change is aimed at reducing fraud, scams, and the spread of malware — problems that have historically been more prevalent in apps installed from outside the Play Store. According to Google, malware is over 50 times more likely to come from internet-sideloaded sources compared to apps available on its own marketplace.

Starting in October 2025, developers will be able to access the new verification system in early testing. A broader rollout begins in March 2026, with mandatory requirements taking effect in September 2026 for Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand — countries where fraudulent app activity has been particularly widespread. The program will expand globally beginning in 2027.

Verification will function as an identity check rather than an app review. Developers will need to provide information such as their legal name, address, and contact details. Those who already distribute via Google Play are largely covered, since the Play Console has required similar verification since 2023. For developers operating outside the Play Store, a new Android Developer Console will be introduced. Google says lighter requirements will apply to students and hobbyist developers compared with commercial publishers.

While the policy preserves the ability to sideload apps and use alternative app stores, it effectively ends anonymous distribution on Android. The change has drawn mixed reactions from the developer community. Supporters, including some government bodies in affected regions, argue that it will help limit fraud and protect consumers. Critics caution that the system could impose new burdens on independent developers and increase Google’s control over the Android ecosystem.