Google introduces 'Developer Authentication' feature to verify the identity of all apps installed on Android
Google has announced that it will require all apps to verify their identity in order to reduce the risk of accidentally installing malware on devices.
Android Developers Blog: A new layer of security for certified Android devices
Android developer console | Android developer verification | Android Developers
Google wants to make sideloading Android apps safer by verifying developers' identities - Android Authority
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-developer-verification-requirements-3590911/
Android allows users to install apps freely from the internet, not just from the official app store, Google Play. This is called sideloading, but according to Google, the number of malware detected in sideloaded apps is over 50 times higher than in apps on Google Play.
One of the reasons for this is that while developers who distribute apps on Google Play are required to verify their identity, there are no specific restrictions on developers who distribute apps only on platforms other than Google Play. Therefore, Google has announced that from September 2026, it will gradually block the installation of apps on most Android devices that have not been verified by the 'Developer Authentication' feature.
Going forward, developers who distribute apps outside of Google Play will need to verify their identity through their existing Google Play Console account or the new Android Developer Console. The identity verification process for the Android Developer Console is the same as that for the Google Play Console, requiring users to provide information such as their address, name, email address, and phone number, but it will be a simpler and more streamlined process. After verification, developers will be considered to have completed identity verification by registering their app's package name and signing key.
Please note that the developer authentication feature only verifies the identity of the developer and does not scrutinize the content of the app.
For apps that are being developed experimentally, rather than commercially, a dedicated Android Developer Console account is available.
The early access program for the developer authentication feature will begin in October 2025 and be open to all developers in March 2026. From September 2026, it will be gradually rolled out to users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, and then expanded worldwide. The regions selected for the initial rollout are said to be areas that are particularly affected by malware.
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