Google says developers distributing Android Apps outside Play Store must verify identity
The new policy comes in response to a growing trend where malicious apps are disproportionately found outside the Play Store.
Google has announced that developers who distribute Android apps outside of the Google Play Store will now be required to undergo identity verification.
Whether through direct downloads or alternative app marketplaces, developers will have to submit identity details, including a legal name, contact information, and possibly government-issued identification, depending on the level of distribution.
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Previously, these verification measures were only mandatory for apps published within the Play Store.
Now, Google aims to extend the same level of transparency and accountability across all Android app distribution channels.
“Our goal is simple: to protect users from harmful apps while preserving the openness of the Android platform,” Google said in a statement.
The new policy comes in response to a growing trend where malicious apps are disproportionately found outside the Play Store.
According to internal Google data, users who sideload apps, meaning installing them manually from sources other than the Play Store, using APKs, are up to 50 times more likely to encounter malware.
By enforcing identity checks, Google aims to reduce the number of anonymous developers distributing fraudulent or harmful apps.
Google plans to begin the rollout in 2026, with an initial focus on countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, regions where Android is dominant and where sideloading is especially common.
A full global implementation is expected in 2027, with early access beginning in late 2025 for select developers who want to prepare ahead of time.
However, Google says users will still have full control and can choose to install apps from any source, provided the developer is verified.
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