Android Developer Verification

Summary

Posted by Matthew Forsythe, Director Product Management, Android App Safety Android is for everyone. It’s built on a commitment to an open and safe platform. Users should feel confident installing apps, no matter where they get them from. However, our recent analysis found over 90 times more malware from sideloaded sources than on Google Play. So as an extra layer of security, we are rolling out Android developer verification to help prevent malicious actors from hiding behind anonymity to repeatedly spread harm. Over the past several months, we’ve worked closely with the community to improve the design so we account for the many ways people use Android to balance openness with safety. Start your verification today Today, we’re starting to roll out Android developer verification to all developers in both the new Android Developer Console and Play Console. This allows you to complete your verification and register your apps before user-facing changes begin later this year. If you only distribute apps outside of Google Play, you can create an account in Android Developer Console today. If you're on Google Play, check your Play Console account for updates over the next few weeks. If you’ve already verified your identity here, then you’re likely already set. Most of your users’ download experience will not change at all While verification tools are rolling out now, the experience for users downloading your apps will not change until later this year. The user side protections will first go live in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand this September, before expanding globally in 2027. We’ve shared this timeline early to ensure you have ample time to complete your verification. Following this deadline, for the vast majority of users, the experience of installing apps will stay exactly the same. It’s only when a user tries to install an unregistered app that they’ll require ADB or advanced flow, helping us keep the broader community safe while preserving the flexibili...