The phased rollout of Android's developer verification system will begin on September 30 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a global expansion planned for 2027.
Sideloading apps on Android is about to get a major security overhaul. Google has just put a date on its new developer verification system, a move that will change how you install apps from outside the Play Store forever. The changes, aimed at making sideloading safer, will begin rolling out in select countries on September 30, 2026, with a global expansion planned for 2027.
The new system is all about transparency, giving users a clear look at who is behind an application before they hit install. While the core functionality of sideloading remains, installing an app from an unverified developer will soon involve a much more rigorous process.
Google says verification will help prevent malicious actors from repeatedly distributing harmful software under anonymous accounts. The company reports that millions of apps have already been registered since the program began in March, covering the vast majority of installs from both Google Play and major third-party stores.
For most users, the changes will be gradual. Google has outlined a multi-stage deployment to test the system and gather feedback from users, developers, and app store partners.
The global expansion is slated for 2027, at which point the requirements will apply to all certified Android devices.
Google is adamant that sideloading is not being eliminated. Power users and developers will still have the freedom to install applications from any source. However, the process for installing apps from unregistered developers will become intentionally cumbersome.
For the average user, this is a clear win for security, adding a powerful barrier against malware. For power users and indie developers, however, these new hurdles represent a fundamental shift in Android's long-held philosophy of openness, introducing friction into a once-unfettered process.
