Google plans to block the installation of unverified apps on certified Android devices, a move that will protect users from malware and suspicious apps.
Google is ramping up security for its users by limiting which apps can be installed on certified Android devices. Certified Android devices contain Google services like the Play Store and include Android phones, Google and Android TVs, ONN, NVIDIA SHIELD, and Xiaomi streaming devices.
In a post published on the Android Developers Blog, the company has announced a new developer verification requirement. This move affects developers who distribute their apps outside the Google Play Store, such as those who publish their apps on third-party app and APK stores.
Developers who publish their apps on the Play Store are already verified through a similar approach that was rolled out in 2023.
This policy will take effect from 2026, with Google giving early access to developers as soon as October 2025.
The post by Suzanne Frey, Vice President, Product, Trust & Growth for Android says:
“Starting next year, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers to be installed by users on certified Android devices. This creates crucial accountability, making it harder for malicious actors to quickly distribute another harmful app after we take the first one down.”
For an app to be installed on certified Android devices, the developer must verify their legal name, phone number, and address. Additionally, they must register their app’s package names and signing keys. Android claims this move is for security purposes and “they will not be reviewing the app’s content or where it came from.”
Attention!
ISPs, hackers, and other third-party entities worldwide may monitor your online activities. For security, privacy, and smooth streaming, it is recommended to use a reliable VPN for FireStick. Your IP address is visible to sites you visit.
I use ExpressVPN, a fast and secure VPN in the industry. It is easy to install on any device, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, PC, Mac, and Smartphones. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't like their service, you can always ask for a refund. ExpressVPN also has a special deal where you can get 4 months free and save 73% on the 2-year plan.
More Safety and Security, But With Less Freedom
Android users prefer it over iOS due to the freedom offered by an open ecosystem that allows sideloading. With the new requirements, sideloading may be affected, especially if the third-party developers fail to verify their identity.
While Google claims the new policy will “stop bad actors from exploiting anonymity to distribute malware, commit financial fraud, and steal sensitive data”, some users see it as the end of their sideloading freedom.
Sideloading has its fair share of benefits. If you can’t install an app directly from the official store for whatever reason, all you need is an APK file to install the app from an external site. Additionally, sideloading allows users to install unofficial and modded apps.
Despite these upsides, sideloading also creates an opportunity for malicious actors to take advantage of users. A third-party developer will create a clone of a legitimate app to distribute malware, execute phishing scams, and steal sensitive data from unsuspecting users.
The new verification requirements will boost developer accountability, making it harder for malicious players to prey on unsuspecting app users. Two years after rolling out the same policy with developers who distribute their apps through the Google Play Store, Google has confirmed that developer accountability stops bad actors who hide behind anonymity to harm users.
The article explained:
“Since we implemented verification requirements on Google Play in 2023, we have seen firsthand how helpful developer identification is in stopping bad actors from exploiting anonymity to distribute malware, commit financial fraud, and steal sensitive data. Bringing a similar process to Android more broadly will provide a consistent, common-sense baseline of developer accountability across the ecosystem,”
The Roll Out Will Be Gradual
Google will make these changes gradually, beginning in October 2025. The process will start by sending invitations to select developers. By March 2026, verification will be open to all developers, and app developers can voluntarily verify their identity with Android.
By September 2026, the mandatory requirements will start applying to app developers in Brazil, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. This might be a calculated move, given that countries like Singapore and Indonesia are among the leaders in cybersecurity threats and attacks.
Global rollout of this policy will happen by 2027. By then, any app installed on a certified Android device “must be registered by a verified developer.”
Android will create a new Android Developer Console solely for developers who don’t publish their apps on the Google Play Store. Developers who distribute apps via the Google Play Store already have a console for verification purposes.
The console is already up and running, and app developers can check how it works. Students and developers who create apps as a hobby will use special accounts on the same console. However, the company is still building it to ensure it’s working smoothly by the time the requirements are rolled out.
What This Means for Android Users
Is it a good thing for Android users? Partly. The placed restrictions mean that only apps from verified developers will be allowed on certified devices, such as smartphones, streaming boxes, Android devices, and Google TVs. Even if you’re sideloading a third-party app, you’ll be assured that you’re installing a verified app.
Verified developers will be careful not to provide malware-infested apps because authorities can trace the apps back to them. As mentioned earlier, app developers will be required to disclose their real names, phone numbers, and addresses. If authorities flag an app for malicious and fraudulent behavior, they will block it and probably hand over the developer’s identity to authorities.
While this is a partial win for users, there is a catch. Most third-party developers prefer anonymity, and they may not be willing to verify their identity with Google. Their apps will be blocked, and users can’t sideload these apps on their devices.
Google insists this is a security policy and not control over what users do with their devices. Third-party apps from verified developers will still be downloadable and usable on these Android devices. The reassurance comes at a time when Android users are bashing the move, saying, “If they wanted a walled ecosystem, they would use Apple.”
The post reassured:
“To be clear, developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users through sideloading or to use any app store they prefer. We believe this is how an open system should work,”.
Apps in the Google Play Store like Kodi and Downloader will not be affected. The third-party apps likely to be banned are unverified apps whose developers refuse to adhere to the new verification requirements.
Google is not the only company that has vowed to block third-party apps that won’t adhere to its policies. In July 2025, Amazon rolled out a software update that started blocking unofficial apps. Like Google, Amazon didn’t ban all third-party apps. Instead, only apps that posed security risks were blocked.
Do you think this is the right move by Google? How will it affect you as an Android user? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rollout begins in October 2025, with full enforcement expected globally by 2027.
No, sideloading will still work, but only apps from verified developers can be installed on certified Android devices.
They need to verify their legal name, phone number, address, and register package names and signing keys.
Apps available on the Google Play Store, such as Kodi and Downloader, will remain unaffected since their developers are already verified.
If a developer refuses to verify their identity, their apps will be blocked from installation on certified Android devices.
Suberboost Your FireStick with My Free Guide
Stay Ahead: Weekly Insights on the Latest in Free Streaming!
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
