Google is bringing a contentious new reform to the way apps are installed on Android devices, set to take effect next year. The tech giant has long been known for offering users the freedom to ...

Google announced plans to begin banning the sideloading of applications on Android devices in select regions, starting with Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The tech giant was referring to ...

Android's open nature set it apart from the iPhone as the era of touchscreen smartphones began nearly two decades ago. Little by little, Google has traded some of that openness for security, and its ...

Google will implement a new safety feature that would require developers to verify their identity if they want Android users to be able to sideload their apps. The company said that it made the ...

Google compares the move to an ID check at the airport, and says it's aimed at tackling harmful apps. It launches next year, but you can request early access now. Don't miss out on our latest stories.

Android apps side-loaded from the internet often come from shady sources. Google will soon identify them and block those of ...

SINGAPORE – Come September 2026, Android smartphone users in Singapore will find it more difficult to download apps from outside the Google Play Store – a process known as sideloading. In an Aug 25 ...

Google will start blocking sideloaded Android apps from unverified developers in 2026. This change aims to reduce scams and malware on certified Android devices. The new rule will affect apps ...

These requirements will go into effect first in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand starting September 2026. Google has announced plans to verify the identities ...

The latter refers to the process of installing an Android app from a source outside of the Google Play Store. This means downloading an Android Package (APK) file from the internet and manually ...

Google will restrict sideloading to verified developers starting 2026, blocking unverified APK installations even outside the ...