Google is taking a significant step to secure the Android ecosystem. According to the company’s announcement, apps created by unverified developers can no longer be installed on certified Android devices with the Google Play Store. This impacts nearly all Android devices in the US and Europe that come with Google Play.

Securing the Android ecosystem

Google says it introduced this new security feature to protect users from malware and scams. The company states that apps installed from outside Google Play contain 50 times more malware than apps from the store. Developers are now required to verify their identity for the app installation process to proceed.

With the new system, a dedicated Android Developer Console is being created for developers distributing apps outside of Google Play. Developers complete the authentication process and register their app package names through this panel.

Google likens this process to an airport ID check. Only the developer’s identity is verified; the app’s content is not reviewed. This new feature does not prevent developers from distributing their apps through their own websites or other app stores.

The new identity verification requirement will first go into effect in Brazil, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand in late 2026. It is then expected to gradually expand globally. This change increases security for Android users and ushers in a new era in app development and distribution.

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