GOOGLE TO CHANGE APP INSTALLATION RULES ON ANDROID DEVICES

For years, Android has been considered an open alternative to Apple’s closed ecosystem, allowing users to install applications from any source. Now Google is preparing the most significant change to the platform’s security policy.

The company plans to introduce a mandatory developer verification system, after which only apps from verified authors will be installable on certified Android devices. Certified devices include nearly all smartphones and tablets with preinstalled Google services.

Testing of the new system will begin in October 2025 in an early access phase. By March 2026, developers will be able to use the updated console to verify their identity and register applications. The first countries to roll out the system will be Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with the launch scheduled for September 2026. A global rollout is expected by 2027.

To publish apps, developers will need to confirm their identity and provide signing keys. Without completing this process, installation will not be possible on most devices. Google will not check the content or functionality of the applications but will require mandatory identification of their creators.

According to the company, apps installed outside the Play Store are 50 times more likely to contain malware compared to those downloaded from the official store. The new system is intended to reduce such risks and improve user security.