Google will require developers verification for Android applications outside the Play Store

Google tightens safety measures around the distribution of Android applications, the company announced on Monday. From next year, Google will start to check the identities of the developers distributing their applications on Android devices, not only those that distribute via the Play Store. Changes will all affect Certified Android devices Once live, although the global deployment is more progressive.

The technology giant stresses that this does not mean that developers cannot distribute outside the Play Store via other application stores or via breeding – Android will remain open in this regard. However, the developers who appreciated the anonymity of alternative distribution methods will no longer have this option. Google says that it will help reduce bad players who hide their identity to distribute malware, commit financial fraud or steal personal data from users.

According to his own survey, Google claims that more than 50 times more malware has passed through Internet Sideloaded sources compared to Google Play, where he required a development of developers since 2023.

Initially, Google will allow interested developers to register for early access from October 2025 to test the system and provide comments. In March 2026, verification will be put online for all developers. In September 2026, any application installed on an Android device in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand will have to meet the new requirements. From 2027, the requirements will begin to deploy worldwide.

The developers will have to provide their legal name, address, email and telephone number, which could push independent developers to register as a business for their own confidentiality. Apple has implemented a similar change for the EU App Store earlier this year to comply with Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation which now obliges application developers to provide their “trader status” to submit new applications or application updates for distribution.

Google notes that student and amateur developers will be able to use a separate type of Android developer console account when this system deploys, because their differs from commercial developers.

The changes could have a significant impact on the Android application ecosystem and the distribution of applications, because Google works to reduce security problems and malware that has generally tormented its platform.