Many users have long appreciated the Android operating system for its openness and flexibility, particularly its support for sideloading applications. This characteristic has been a defining feature of the platform for years. However, in a significant shift, Google is reimagining this feature with a focus on enhancing device security.
Back in Android 13, Google took a proactive step by introducing developer verification and rigorous app testing protocols prior to publication on the Play Store. This initiative was aimed at combating the proliferation of malicious and hazardous applications from unauthenticated developers.
Unverified apps can no longer be sideloaded
In a recent announcement, Google revealed that it would be expanding its stringent developer verification process to encompass apps being sideloaded onto Android devices. As a result, users will no longer have the ability to install third-party applications unless the developer has successfully navigated Google’s authentication system. Google likens this new protocol to an ID check at airports, underscoring the importance of security.
To facilitate this process, Google will introduce a new Android Developer Console where onboarding and verification will occur. Developers or distributors will be required to verify their identity, app package name, signing keys, and DUNS number for organizations, among other criteria. A simplified version of the platform will be available for students and hobbyists, ensuring a more accessible process for emerging developers.
Google plans to initiate early access for select developers in October 2025, with the verification system set to open to all developers by March 2026. Full enforcement of these measures is slated for September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, with a global rollout expected by 2027.
This change will impact Google-certified devices, including smartphones and tablets that run Google Mobile Services (GMS), which require formal certification. Notable brands affected include Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Vivo, Nothing, and Google’s own Pixel line.
Why Google is changing how you sideload apps
The primary goal of this new policy is to safeguard users from scams, counterfeit applications, and various threats. Google has indicated that apps sourced from unverified origins present a considerable risk, with sideloaded applications reportedly being 50 times more likely to harbor malware compared to those distributed through the Play Store.
Despite the introduction of these verification measures, Google assures that developers will retain their distribution capabilities as long as they complete the authentication process. The notable distinction is that applications distributed outside the Play Store will now necessitate verified developers.
This evolution follows previous Play Store requirements and signals a clear shift in Google’s priorities, placing security above versatility within the Android ecosystem. Additionally, the settings for sideloading on Android devices have been adjusted, with the feature now disabled by default.
What do you think about this shift? Is Google making the right call by tightening developer requirements? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
