The tech giant stresses that this does not mean developers can’t distribute outside of the Play Store through other app ...

Currently, developers who create “sideloaded” Android apps are exempt from Google’s verification requirements.

Google wants to make sideloading safer on Android by verifiying the identities of developers who distribute apps outside the Play Store.

Google is introducing new restrictions on Android app distribution, and it could spell the end for some popular third-party ...

With claims that sideloaded apps are 50 times more likely to contain malware, Google is tightening restrictions for ...

On 25 August, the tech giant announced that all developers — whether publishing on the Play Store or via sideloading — will ...

Google will implement a new safety feature that would require developers to verify their identity if they want Android users ...

From 2026, Google will require verified developer IDs for all Android apps, including sideloaded ones, to reduce malware and ...

Google is soon going to make sideloading apps harder for all users, particularly those using Android e-readers.

The new requirement is necessary for all Android app developers and not just those publishing apps on the Play Store.

"Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed by users on certified Android ...

Google is tightening the screws on Android security. From March 2026, developers who distribute apps outside the Play Store will need to verify their identity. That means no more anonymous APKs ...