Google will introduce support for "Registered App Stores" with the upcoming Android 17 release as part of a settlement with Epic Games. Certified third-party app stores will have a streamlined installation process featuring a "single store install screen" that provides users with clear information about the store and necessary permissions. OEMs are required to simplify the installation process for these app stores, prohibiting additional restrictions on sideloading. The Epic Games Store will not be available on the Google Play Store, although Epic can list individual games like Fortnite. The settlement ends hostilities between Epic and Google, with both agreeing to refrain from disparaging each other and Epic acknowledging Google's practices as procompetitive while still advocating for broader changes in the mobile ecosystem.
Google is revising its approach to app installation on Android devices, particularly for applications from unverified developers. The company is developing a new workflow for “experienced users” that allows them to install apps from unverified developers while being informed of the risks. This change comes after backlash against mandatory identity verification requirements for all developers, which critics argued would hinder users' freedom to choose software. Google plans to introduce a new type of developer account for students and hobbyists to ease verification burdens. The implementation of developer verification will begin in 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a global rollout expected in 2027.
Google is revising its approach to app installation on Android devices, particularly for applications from unverified developers. Initially, a stringent verification requirement was announced, mandating developers to disclose personal information, which faced backlash for undermining user autonomy. Despite this, Google has introduced a more flexible option for “experienced users” to install apps from unverified sources with protective measures and warnings about potential risks. Additionally, a new type of developer account for students and hobbyists will bypass the comprehensive verification process, allowing easier access for emerging developers with restrictions on app installations. The verification process rollout is set for 2026 in select countries, with global expansion planned for 2027. Google is also navigating a settlement with Epic Games that may reduce developer fees and allow officially recognized third-party app stores.
A campaign called "Keep Android Open" is advocating against Google's upcoming regulations that may limit users' ability to sideload applications on Android devices. The campaign is linked to a blog post on F-Droid, which encourages users to urge government regulators to intervene. The campaign's open letter expresses concerns that developers should retain the right to create and distribute software without corporate surveillance. Google plans to implement regulations requiring verification from developers for app installations on certified Android devices to reduce malware risks. Developers will need to submit an official ID, address, phone number, and a fee. F-Droid criticizes these requirements as harmful to consumer choice and third-party app distribution. It highlights that users should have the freedom to run any software on their devices. Google has stated that sideloading will remain a feature of Android and has introduced a special developer account for limited app distribution without ID verification or fees. The new requirements will initially be rolled out in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026, with plans to expand to other markets in 2027.
Google has announced that all Android applications must come from registered and verified developers, eliminating third-party app stores and sideloading. Trials for this transition will start in October 2025, with broader implementation expected in 2026. The Android Developer Verifier will be introduced in Android 16, maintaining a cache of verified applications and requiring a connection to Google's database for others. To achieve verified status, developers must have a Google Play account, pay a registration fee, and provide government-issued ID. A 'free developer account type' will be available but with restrictions on device installations. After the new system is fully operational by 2027, the only way to install unsigned APKs will be through the Android Debug Bridge (adb). Google has invited public feedback on these changes.
Epic Games has launched the Epic Web Shops service for PC and mobile platforms, enabling developers to monetize in-game content through self-publishing tools. Developers retain 100% of their first million in net revenue per title, transitioning to an 88/12 revenue split thereafter. Players earn Epic Rewards on purchases, and Web Shops will be featured on product pages. The service will be integrated into the Epic Game Store mobile app later this year, and developers must have a registered Epic Games Developer account to create a Web Shop. The service supports consumable sales but excludes Web3 games. Codename Entertainment has launched a live Web Shop for its game, Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms.
Epic Games has launched the Epic Web Shops service for PC and mobile users, allowing developers to create direct-to-consumer storefronts for in-game content. Developers can keep all earnings from their first million in net revenue, after which the revenue split is 88% for developers and 12% for Epic. Purchases through the Web Shops will earn players Epic Rewards. The Web Shops will be featured on product pages under a 'Web Shop' tab on PCs, with mobile support expected later this year. The service supports consumable sales but not Web3 games. Codename Entertainment is the first to implement a live Web Shop with their game, Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms.
Google is implementing a developer verification requirement for applications installed via sideloading on its Android platform to enhance security. This initiative aims to protect users and legitimate developers from malware, as sideloaded apps are 50 times more likely to contain harmful software compared to those from the Google Play Store. Key changes include:
- Every sideloaded app must be digitally signed by the developer; installations without this signature will be prohibited.
- Google can revoke a developer's certificate if they distribute harmful software, halting all associated apps.
Developers will have over a year to adapt to these changes, and they can still build, debug, and test apps locally without verification. A new free developer account is being considered for limited distribution without full ID verification. Google asserts that user choice will not be limited, and the majority of users will experience minimal changes, benefiting from increased security against unverified applications.
Google has confirmed that sideloading on Android will continue, emphasizing that new developer verification requirements are designed to enhance safety rather than limit user choice. Each Android app will be linked to a verified developer identity to reduce the risk of impersonation and malware distribution. Verified developers can distribute apps through various channels, while a new complimentary developer account type will allow hobbyists to distribute apps to a limited number of devices without full verification. Users will need to share a device identifier with the developer for this process. However, concerns remain regarding the control over developer identities and signing keys, as all apps must be associated with a Google-verified account, potentially threatening alternative app stores.
