Forum Discussion
Requirement for developer verification for app install
Hi all,
Last weekend someone pointed out to me that Google has announced that it will only allow app installs from developers that are verified with Google. This includes side loaded apps and third party play stores.
See this article https://9to5google.com/2025/08/25/android-apps-developer-verification/ and this blog post from F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html
I'm curious, how does this community think about this change?
The reason for posting is that i'm not yet convinced this is a good change, it is presented as a security feature but I think we can all agree on that malware developers will find a way to register and push there malware anyway. Meanwhile developers need to start paying a fee, even when they aren't even using the Google Play store to push their apps. And that might backfire to us as users, prices going up, apps being removed or no longer developed, more in app advertisements etc.
To me it feels like locking down Android to a way that side loading and third party app stores will be blocked in the feature, " because they are not secure". It feels like Google moving to an Apple strategy while Apple is forced by the EU (DMA) to open up. I've added this to my list of things that are happening even though I told people this will never ever happen to android.
Android (even with google services) was, and should always be, an open platform where you are able to use a device as you wish. Google shouldn't be the one decided how and with what I use my device.
Its a good idea to have a verification system available, and give a warning to users when an app is not verified, but there should always be a way to install it anyway.
Am I the only one seeing this as a bad decision which could potentially get worse?
3 Replies
Hey Michel,
Thanks so much for starting this topic and I think it's great to have more discussion on this - especially if there are any further questions/concerns.
Just to also highlight we shared a community update about this a few weeks ago, just in case there is any information that isn't included in the links you shared above. Hope this is helpful.
Thanks,
Lizzie
No worries at all - easily to miss it, so it's nice that you have highlighted this topic too.
If you have any follow-up questions feel free to share, otherwise I imagine as we are still a little while out from the first countries that need verification, more information will come along the way.
Thanks again and nice to speak with you a moment ago.
Lizzie
