Any more shady APK, Google will block the renovated Android apps starting in 2026
Google will begin to block the unwarfed Android apps starting from September 2026. The new policy certified will make developer verification mandatory for all apps on certified Android devices.
Google has announced a major change in Android that can significantly change the way you install apps on their platforms. From September 2026, the company will make mandatory for all apps on certified Android devices registered by verified developers. This means that users will no longer be able to sideload apps from unknown or unacceptable sources. According to Google, this step is designed to strengthen security and reduce the risk of malware, which hackers often spread through APK.
According to Google, the new rule is aimed at “increasing the safety of Android to keep it open and safe”. The company argues that by forcing developers to verify their identity, it will add a significant layer of accountability to the ecosystem. The policy will also make it difficult for bad actors to distribute malicious apps anonymous, thus to protect users from scams, financial fraud and other forms of loss.
In particular, Google has confirmed that this new requirement of identity verification will not mean whether the company will inspect the actual content of the apps or restrict their origin. Instead, the attention is on confirming who the developer is, a lot of ID checks, the Android Authority. In short, Google’s new policy will not completely eliminate malware, but it will make it very difficult for shady developers to hide fake names or disposable accounts.
How will the new system work
Explaining how the new policy will work, Google says that developers are about to distribute apps on Android, which is through the Play Store or will have to undergo a verification process independently. This will include two main stages:
Confirmation of identity – Developers must provide personal details like legal name, address, phone number and email. Organizations will additionally need to submit their Dun number and official website for individuals along with government IDs.
Registration Apps – Developers will also require to prove the ownership of their apps by providing package names and app signing keys.
Google notes that for developers who already publish on the Play Store, most of the process has already been completed, and the apps will be automatically registered. However, for those who distribute apps outside the Play Store, a new Android developer console will be introduced to manage verification.
Addressing the concerns of hobbist developers who worry about privacy, Google has assured that individual information collected through this process will not be made public.
Timeline for rollout
Developer verification program will roll out in stages:
October 2025: Early access will open for invited developers.
March 2026: Google will provide verification globally for all developers.
September 2026: Changes will be live in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. At this point, the app on certified equipment certified in these markets should come from verified developers.
2027 and beyond: Global rollouts will continue in other areas.
