Google is introducing a significant update to the Android operating system aimed at bolstering security. The company will be restricting the installation of unverified applications on Android devices, which represents a change in how users install apps. Currently, Android users can install applications from sources beyond the Google Play Store, a process called sideloading, but this is being limited.
At the core of the update, certified Android devices will only allow the installation of apps from verified developers. Until now, the verification process primarily applied to developers publishing apps through the Google Play Store. However, developers creating third-party apps will now also be required to be verified by Google. Google will introduce a new Android Developer Console for developers to register and manage this process.
Testing of the new system begins in October 2025. The Android Developer Console will be available to all developers from March 2026. The initial rollout will occur in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026. Global implementation is expected by 2027.
Google states that sideloaded apps are significantly riskier, with a 50-fold higher chance of containing malware. Verification is designed to help identify authentic developers and to prevent fraudulent developers from circumventing bans by releasing apps under new names. Google cites the success of Play Store verification, which has reduced malware, fraud, and data breaches since its implementation in 2023.
This update means that users will only be able to install third-party apps from developers verified by Google. Apps from unverified sources will not be installable on certified Android phones. This change will not affect custom ROMs or devices lacking pre-installed Google services, such as those found in China.
The decision is related to the legal case between Epic Games and Google. The court mandated that Google permit third-party app stores on the Play Store. This ruling has prompted Google to take steps to increase its control over app distribution, hence the new regulations.