Google has begun testing its Android developer verification system, adjusting prior plans to restrict installation of apps from manually downloaded APK files. The updated policy follows feedback from the developer and user communities. Advanced users who accept the associated security risks will retain the ability to install unverified applications directly on their devices. But the method might be far from convenience.
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The new policy preserves existing installation methods, including the use of the Android Debug Bridge (adb), which requires developer mode activation and a connected computer, and introduces a free account tier for students and enthusiasts. This tier permits app installation without identity verification but mandates device registration in the Android Developer Console.
According to Google, users installing unverified apps will encounter explicit risk warnings and anti-coercion safeguards designed to prevent malicious actors from circumventing security protocols. Full implementation details for this feature remain under development and will be disclosed in the coming months.
Core verification components will debut in the Android 16 QPR2 update, scheduled for December 2025. Devices running earlier Android versions will receive the changes through a Google Play Protect update. Testing of the developer-facing registration interface in the Android Developer Console began immediately, with access limited to invited participants.
Google will open developer verification to all publishers in March 2026. Mandatory verification takes effect in September 2026 for developers distributing apps in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a global phase-in planned for 2027.
Verification Requirements
Individual developers must register in the Android Developer Console, separate from Google Play registration if applicable, and submit personal details including full name, residential address, email, phone number, and a government-issued ID photo. Student and enthusiast accounts remain exempt from ID submission. A one-time $25 registration fee applies. Organizations must verify a domain and provide a DUNS number.
Following registration, developers must declare their apps by providing full package names and digital signature keys. To prevent misattribution, they must demonstrate control over the signing key used for existing app versions. These verification checks apply exclusively to certified Android devices, which include nearly all models from major manufacturers.
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