Google to tighten rules on sideloaded apps with developer verification

Do you sideload apps on your Android phone? That freedom is about to change. Google announced that, starting next year, only verified developers will be able to distribute apps on certified Android devices. The company says this step is like an ID check at the airport. It adds accountability and makes it harder for bad actors to push fake or harmful apps.

Suzanne Frey, Google’s VP of product, trust and growth for Android, explained the move in a blog post. She said it will slow down attackers who try to repackage malware again and again. “This creates crucial accountability,” she wrote. “It makes it much harder for malicious actors to quickly distribute another harmful app after we take the first one down.”

This is not the first time Google has verified developers. Since 2023, apps on the Google Play Store have required verified accounts. The difference now is that the rule will also apply to apps installed outside Play.

The new system will launch first in Brazil, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand in late 2026. A global expansion is planned for 2027. Developers can already request early access, with the first invitations expected in October 2025.

Google will also release a new tool called the Android Developer Console. It is designed for developers who distribute apps outside Google Play.

With the console, developers will be able to:

If a developer already uses the Play Console, nothing changes. But if they only distribute apps outside Play, they will need this new console. Students and hobbyists are also included. Google says it is working on a lighter account type for non-commercial use.

Why is Google pushing this change? The answer lies in the data. According to Google, Android phones are 50 times more likely to be infected when apps are sideloaded from the web instead of Google Play.

This is not a new concern. In 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook made a similar warning about sideloading, though critics said he was protecting Apple’s walled garden. The EU’s Digital Markets Act later forced Apple to open iOS to third-party marketplaces, showing how contested this issue is.

For the average user, nothing will feel different. Most people only download apps from Google Play anyway. But power users who sideload apps—such as beta testers, hobbyists, or fans of niche tools—will see a change. They will need to make sure the developer of any app they install is registered with Google.

This could improve safety but may reduce the openness that has long defined Android. Some users may see it as Google tightening control, while others will welcome the extra security.

Google’s decision is part of a wider trend. Both companies and regulators are asking for more accountability in software. With Android’s reputation for malware, Google wants to show it can keep users safe.

The rollout will be slow, starting in Asia and expanding globally. But the direction is clear: sideloading on Android will never be the same again.