Google has announced a plan to verify the identity of all developers that distribute apps on Android, even for those who distribute their software outside the Play Store.
The company said, “Android will require all apps registered by verified developers to be installed by users on certified android devices certified by certified developers.” “This creates important accountability, making it very difficult for malicious actors to distribute another harmful app quickly after the first one is taken down.”
By that end, the Tech veteran said that he intends to start sending invitations for all developers gradually starting from October 2025 before opening it in March 2026. New requirements are expected to begin a year in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand from a year starting in September 2026.
“At this point, any app installed on the certified Android device certified in these areas should be registered by a verified developer,” said Suzanne Frey, the vice president of the product, trust and growth for Android.
It is worth noting that nothing will change for developers distributing apps through Google Play stores, as they are likely to meet these verification requirements through the existing play console process. A different type of Android developer console account works for students and hobbist developers.
Google stated that the changes are designed to transmit malicious actors to replicate developers and prevent their branding and reputation to explain fake apps. Compounding the problem is the presence of malicious apps that are distributed through the third-party app marketplace, from where users can ignore them.
The developer verification mandate adds to the already existing security measures that block the sideloading of potentially dangerous apps in markets such as Singapore, Thailand, Brazil and India.
In July 2023, the company also began the requirement of all the new developer accounts registering as an organization to provide a valid Don number assigned by Dun & Bradustratte before submitting the apps in an attempt to create a user trust.
“The new layer of security,” said Google, to avoid repeating malware and scams spreading scams, as well as beyond Android “Developer Accountability” provides “Common Knowledge Baseline”. It is also said that the system preserves the user’s choice by increasing safety.
While the objective of the Android app distribution rules is to tighten the safety of the ecosystem, they also come at a time when Google is potentially staring at the major reforms in the Play Store, including to distribute competitive app stores through Google Play and provide rivals with access to their full app catalogs, an analogies by the appic game in 2020 After.
