Google to Block Unverified Android APKs from 2026: What It Means for Developers and Users

A big update that Google has revealed for Android might drastically affect how apps are deployed on the platform. The business will mandate that verified developers register all apps on certified Android devices beginning in September 2026. Users will no longer be able to sideload programs from unidentified or unconfirmed sources as a result.

Google claims that this action is intended to improve security and lower the possibility of malware, which is frequently distributed by hackers using APKs.

Why Google Is Blocking Unverified APKs?

The goal of the new regulation, according to Google, is “improving Android’s security to keep it open and safe.” The business contends that requiring developers to authenticate themselves will provide the ecosystem a crucial new level of accountability.

Additionally, by making it more difficult for criminals to disseminate dangerous programmes anonymously, the policy would shield users from financial fraud, frauds, and other threats. Notably, Google has stated that it would not be limiting the origin of apps or examining their actual content as a result of this new identity verification requirement.

How the New APK Verification Policy Works?

According to Android Authority, the emphasis is instead on verifying the developer’s identity, similar to an ID check. To put it briefly, Google’s new policy will make it much more difficult for dishonest developers to conceal themselves behind fictitious names or disposable accounts, but it won’t completely eradicate malware.

What Developers Must Do to Get Verified?

Google explains how the new policy will work, stating that developers who distribute Android apps—whether independently or through the Play Store—will have to go through a certification procedure. There will be two primary steps involved: Developers must supply personal information, including their legal name, address, phone number, and email address, in order to verify their identification.

Along with a government ID for individuals, organisations would also need to present their official website and D-U-N-S number. When registering apps, developers will also need to provide package names and app signing keys as proof of ownership.

According to Google, a large portion of this procedure is already finished for developers who have previously published their apps on the Play Store, and the apps will be registered automatically. To handle verification, a new Android Developer Console will be made available to developers that distribute apps outside of the Play Store. In response to privacy-conscious hobbyist developers, Google has promised that the personal data gathered during this procedure would not be disclosed.

Timeline for Global Rollout of APK Restrictions

In October 2025, invited developers will be able to obtain early access. Google plans to make verification accessible to all developers worldwide by March 2026. The modifications will take effect in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026. Apps on approved devices in these markets now have to be developed by verified developers. By 2027 and beyond, the global deployment will continue to other regions.