Google will soon verify the identities of developers who distribute Android apps outside the Play Store. Developers must submit their information to a new Android Developer Console, increasing their ...

Google announced this week that it will add a new requirement for those who make Android apps and want them to work on Android devices that run Google services. The developers behind Android apps will ...

Google Android sideloading restrictions: what changes September 30, and what doesn't Google's Android developer verification rule gets its first ...

Android’s openness has long allowed software to reach phones without passing through Google Play. Google is adding a new gate to that route: ordinary distribution on certified devices will tie an app ...

Google is tightening the rules around sideloaded apps. Starting in 2026, Android will require all apps on certified devices — whether from third-party app stores or ...

Almost 20 years ago, Google pitched Android as the more open alternative to Apple’s walled garden. Last year, Google announced it would begin erecting its own walls through developer verification. The ...

Android developers using third-party app stores will soon need their identity confirmed by Google. Android developers using third-party app stores will soon need their identity confirmed by Google. ...

From September 2026, any developer who wants to distribute apps outside of the Play Store will need to complete a new identity verification process. This verification is done through the updated ...

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 ...

Scheduled for rollout starting in September 2026, the program aims to restrict malware distribution by requiring developer verification for apps installed on Android ...

Google said that it will now support team access to Android Developer Console accounts, enabling multiple users to track performance without the need to share passwords. It also said that it is ...