One of the freedoms of using Android is that apps can be sideloaded by their owners if they are not on the Play Store. Fortnite and Epic Games Store are two examples of apps that are banned from the Play Store but can be installed on devices using APK file sideloading. Google today introduced developer identity verification requirements to improve the security of sideloaded apps.
Through this, Google will have a database of developers who are certified safe without a history of producing malicious apps. It is also seen as another layer of security for users even if the app is installed outside the Play Store.
Starting in September 2026, apps with unregistered and verified developers cannot be installed on Android devices equipped with GMS, Play Services and the Play Store. Currently, sideloading of apps is blocked on devices like Pixel and Samsung if it is deemed dangerous to the user.
Google will ask for the company's real name, email, phone number, address and D-U-N-S number. This identity is only known to Google and other users cannot access it to maintain privacy.
For hobbyist and student developers, Google will create a different Android Developer Console account that does not require all of the above information.