Currently, developers who create “sideloaded” Android apps are exempt from Google’s verification requirements.

Google used to do very little curation of the Play Store (or Android Market, if you go back far enough), but it has long ...

The tech giant stresses that this does not mean developers can’t distribute outside of the Play Store through other app ...

Android apps side-loaded from the internet often come from shady sources. Google will soon identify them and block those of ...

Google wants to make sideloading safer on Android by verifiying the identities of developers who distribute apps outside the ...

Google has announced a rather strict requirement which enforces all apps (including sideloaded software) to come from ...

Google announced this week that it will add a new requirement for those who make Android apps and want them to work on ...

Google will require developer identity verification for all Android apps, including sideloading. New non-Play Developer ...

The open nature of Android is about see a big change, as Google looks to enforce its verification policy for all developers.

Google is changing how Android apps are shared. Starting in 2026, all developers, even outside the Play Store, must verify ...

Google is also developing a new Android Developer Console specifically for Android developers who don't distribute their apps via Google Play, and there will be a separate console for student and ...