Android users who like the freedom of sideloading apps might soon notice a big change. Starting next year, Google will begin blocking unverified apps on certified devices. This means developers who want their apps to run, whether they are on the Play Store or sideloaded, will need to verify their identity with Google. The company says this step is meant to reduce the spread of harmful apps that are far more likely to appear outside the official store, according to Ars Technica.
Verification will work a bit like showing ID at a checkpoint. Developers will go through a new Android Developer Console where their identity is confirmed before they can distribute apps. Google claims this doesn’t involve judging the content of apps, only confirming who is behind them. The rollout begins in late 2025, with developers able to start registering from October. Full access will open in March 2026, and enforcement will gradually expand across regions, beginning with Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026. By 2027, it will apply globally.
Google also says it wants to keep things accessible for smaller or hobbyist developers. To that end, there will be a separate account type that does not require the usual $25 registration fee and comes with a lighter verification process. This is aimed at students, tinkerers, and those creating apps for personal use or small communities.
Still, the decision is stirring debate. One of Android’s long-standing strengths has been its flexibility compared to Apple’s iOS. Sideloading has enabled everything from retro game emulators to region-specific apps that never make it to the Play Store. Many of these developers value privacy, especially when their work pushes legal or copyright boundaries. Requiring official identity verification could discourage them from releasing apps at all.
For users, the change is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, fewer malicious apps will slip through, which is important given that sideloaded apps are many times more likely to carry malware. On the other, enthusiasts who rely on apps from outside the Play Store may see fewer options in the future, or may need to look for devices not bound by Google certification.
