Google to add developer verification requirement for Android apps

Google has announced developer verification as a new layer of security for installing Android apps, though US developers will not face the new requirement until 2027 or later.

Announced August 25, the policy is intended to better protect users from repeat bad actors spreading scams and malware through app downloads. Beginning next year, Android will start requiring all apps to be registered by a verified developer in order to be installed on certified Android devices. The effort provides crucial accountability and makes it harder for malicious actors to rapidly distribute harmful apps.

Google advised developers to think of the procedure like an ID check at the airport, which confirms a traveler’s identity separately from baggage screening. The developer’s identity will be confirmed but Android authorities will not review the content of the app or where it came from. The initial rollout is planned in countries especially impacted by fraudulent app scams, which often come from repeat perpetrators. The new verification requirement will go into effect in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026. Apps on certified Android devices in these regions at that time must be registered by a verified developer. Plans call for rolling out the requirements globally in 2027 and beyond. Verification opens for all developers in March 2026.

To streamline the process, Google is building an Android Developer Console to enable verification for developers who only distribute outside the Google Play app store. Since implementing verification requirements on Google Play in 2023, Google has seen that developer identification is helpful in stopping bad actors from exploiting anonymity to distribute malware, steal sensitive data, and perpetrate financial fraud, the company said. Having a similar process for Android more broadly provides a consistent baseline of developer accountability, according to Google. The company encourages developers who distribute apps on certified Android devices to sign up for early access starting in October.