Android's controversial new developer verification rules are officially here
Oct 1, 2026 — 8:21 AM ET
- Google’s new Android developer verification rules took effect on September 30 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
- Apps from participating stores must now come from verified developers before they can be installed on certified Android devices.
Android has always sold itself on one simple freedom that iPhone users don’t really get: the freedom to install whatever you want, from wherever you want. Google isn’t killing that freedom outright, but as of September 30, it has officially started putting a few more gates in the way — and Android users in four countries are the first through them.
Google’s new developer verification rules are now in effect in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. On certified devices running Android 7 or newer, apps installed through participating stores must be registered to a verified developer. The initial list includes Google Play, Galaxy Store, HONOR App Market, OPPO App Market, Xiaomi GetApps, vivo V-Appstore, and Transsion’s Palm Store.
Once Google completes its global rollout of the new policy sometime next year, users won’t be able to easily sideload apps from unverified developers outside those app stores, either. The company has already started rolling out its controversial advanced sideloading flow, which will be how power users bypass developer verification.
The catch is deliberately inconvenient: you enable the option in Developer Options, authenticate, restart your phone, and then wait 24 hours before you can proceed. Afterward, you can allow installs from unverified developers for seven days or indefinitely, your choice. ADB installations remain exempt from that waiting period.
Google says the extra friction is meant to disrupt scams that pressure victims into installing malicious apps. Many Android enthusiasts remain unconvinced, though. In an Android Authority poll earlier this year, 82% of respondents either called the approach overkill or said it makes Android less open.
For US users, nothing changes today. But this four-country rollout is only the beginning. Google plans to expand developer verification globally across certified Android devices in 2027, making the first wave of the rollout an important preview of where these policy changes are headed.
This post has been updated to reflect that no changes to sideloading outside of the listed app stores is happening today, even in the four impacted countries.