Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps

Google is implementing a new safety feature for Android users that will require developers to verify their identity before allowing users to sideload their apps. This move comes after recent analysis found a significant increase in malware from internet-sideloaded sources compared to apps available through the Google Play store. The new system will require developers to register their package names and go through a verification process in the Android Developer Console before their apps can be installed on certified Android devices. This process is designed to protect users from "bad actors spreading malware and scams," but it will not involve a review of the app's content. The verification requirement will initially roll out in Brazil, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand in late 2026, with a global rollout to follow at a later date. Google has likened the process to "an ID check at the airport," emphasizing that it is a measure to confirm the developer's identity, not to restrict app distribution.