Google is set to implement a significant reform in the way applications are installed on Android devices, with changes scheduled to take effect next year. Historically, Google has prided itself on allowing users the freedom to personalize their experience, a stark contrast to the more restrictive environment of Apple. However, this flexibility has been gradually diminishing, and the forthcoming changes may represent the most substantial shift to date.
The tech titan is introducing a developer verification program that mandates all Android developers to be verified by Google to have their apps installed on “certified Android devices.” While Google has already required Play Store app developers to undergo verification since 2024, this new initiative extends the requirement to third-party app developers as well. This means that any developer wishing to offer their apps on Android devices must register with Google.
This new regulation will apply to all smartphones that come pre-installed with Google Services, excluding custom ROMs and certain Chinese devices that operate without these services. Google likens its verification process to an airport ID check, emphasizing that while it will confirm the identity of developers, it will not scrutinize the content of their applications.
In tandem with this initiative, Google is developing a new Android Developer Console. Developers who distribute apps outside of the Play Store will be required to register on this platform to complete their verification. Testing for the new system is set to commence in October, with all developers gaining access to the Android console by March 2026. The rollout of these requirements will begin in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026, with a potential global expansion in 2027.
Why is Google making this change?
According to Google, internal data indicates that sideloaded apps from the internet pose a 50 times greater risk of malware compared to those installed from the Play Store. To mitigate this risk, the company aims to establish the identity of all Android developers, thereby complicating the efforts of “malicious actors” who attempt to distribute harmful applications after one has been removed.
Google asserts that since implementing similar verification protocols on the Play Store in 2023, it has observed a reduction in bad actors exploiting anonymity to spread malware, engage in financial fraud, and steal sensitive information. “Establishing a similar process for Android at large will create a consistent, common-sense baseline of developer accountability across the ecosystem,” the company stated in a recent blog post.
Additionally, the motivation behind these regulatory changes may be influenced by the recent ruling in the Epic Games antitrust case, which Google plans to appeal in the US Supreme Court. As part of the ruling, Google will need to allow third-party app stores to be listed on the Play Store, granting these new stores access to all apps available on Google’s platform. In this context, the new regulations may serve as a strategy for Google to maintain control even as third-party app stores gain traction in the market.
