Google is cracking down on what users will be able to side load on their Android phones, going forward. New plans laid out by Android developers have announced that by 2027, Google will require app developers to register with Google and verify their developer identity, for side loading APKs, even outside of the Google Play Store. Currently, users can freely install any app they find online, even to their own detriment. As a measure to improve security for the bulk of its customer base, Google is getting rid of that, which could notably impact how a lot of gamers use their phones as emulation devices.

Starting next year, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed by users on certified Android devices. This creates crucial accountability, making it much harder for malicious actors to quickly distribute another harmful app after we take the first one down. Think of it like an ID check at the airport, which confirms a traveler's identity but is separate from the security screening of their bags; we will be confirming who the developer is, not reviewing the content of their app or where it came from. This change will start in a few select countries specifically impacted by these forms of fraudulent app scams, often from repeat perpetrators.

Registering with a developer on Google would require app-makers to give their personal information to Google in order to release an app, including in some cases, official government identification. The initial changes will roll out to Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, and Thailand, in September 2026, with other countries switching over in "2027 and beyond".

Source

 

[naxil]

What you don't understand google is that computing power is getting bigger and bigger. Who forbids some company to finally create a device that could start anything with emulation or virtualization layers? Maybe it's gonna be geek stuff, but I think they'll hoe on their feet and close their hardware.

 

[MikaDubbz]

Come on Google, we love Android for how much it does that Apple doesn't. Don't go removing a wonderful feature thereby stepping one more step in the direction of restricting the user as Apple loves to do.

 

[drazenm]

So we need a 3rd OS that's got nothing to do with Google or Apple, will have, developers that want to develop apps for you also, besides them two and that's literally impossible as they WILL blackmail you.

Whoever would come they'd need to agree and side with them and overlords/sect/agenda to get approved and allowed to widespread otherwise they'd get the entire justice system (which they hold in one of their small pockets ) reign on you until you bend over, bend the knee or are annihilated.

That's freedom, right, right ?

 

[naddel81]

sideloading is the only reason for me to use android. If they cut sideloading, I am fully going iOS again. F U google!

 

[Ondrashek06]

EDIT: I forgot while writing the post that iOS users in the EU can sideload apps

Only those apps that have been approved and signed by Apple, i.e. not actual sideloading.

 

[JORGETECH]

Only those apps that have been approved and signed by Apple, i.e. not actual sideloading.

After reading a bit I realized it is not the same kind of sideloading Android currently has, but at least there is AltStore available for unmodified devices in the EU. I guess you still need developer privileges to sideload a signed IPA file

Post automatically merged: Aug 27, 2025

Companies should give you a phone in that case

Or something like a Yubikey, which is the proper solution and is already in use in some companies. I wonder how feasible is to replace the phone with a Yubikey as an individual working for those companies.

 

[MikaDubbz]

So we need a 3rd OS that's got nothing to do with Google or Apple, will have, developers that want to develop apps for you also, besides them two and that's literally impossible as they WILL blackmail you.

Whoever would come they'd need to agree and side with them and overlords/sect/agenda to get approved and allowed to widespread otherwise they'd get the entire justice system (which they hold in one of their small pockets ) reign on you until you bend over, bend the knee or are annihilated.

That's freedom, right, right ?

Microsoft tried to be the 3rd OS of the smartphone world and failed miserably. If M$ couldn't succeed in that space by the time they entered, I'm not sure anybody else ever possibly could at this point.

Post automatically merged: Aug 27, 2025

sideloading is the only reason for me to use android. If they cut sideloading, I am fully going iOS again. F U google!

Yeah, fuck your restrictions, I'm going back to MORE restrictions!

 

[Viri]

So we need a 3rd OS that's got nothing to do with Google or Apple

Spoiler

Pick your poison, lmao!

 

[Kingofknights]

The whole damn thread miss one important point. Even the Android blog said so. This is not to verify the "content" of an apk but to verify the "identity" of the developers. As long as that developer registered with Google (aka gave them their info, the developers info, not yours, unless you truly care about the poor dev). They can sign any apps including malware, remember the content of said apk is irrelevant.

This is NOT to control side loading. This is to control the developers. You can say it indirectly control the side loading if unknown actors cannot sign an apk anymore then I don't know what to tell you. Would you really want to install an apk from some unknown person?

Though there's one thing that I'm concerned about is the developers side of thing. What if I'm planning to develop an app but have not yet verified, I can't install the app to test? Probably there will be ways for you to enable the old way in the "developer option" menu.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Much as I hate this, I'll probably still continue to use Android as I'm so used to it.

However, for a keyboard app, I always sideload HeliBoard because it's the best for me and that's not on Google's App Store.

 

[Nivium]

This is the part that really confuses me, even after reading several articles. So if I'm reading this correctly, this means that if you want...

You bring up some really good points, contrary to most of the posts on here simply being complaints and insults without any research and conclusion jumping.
I'm unsure how F-Droid and other places like Aurora Store and the sort will be affected by this but I think it's actually best not to panic. F-Droid and the sort will definitely update their fans on any serious upcoming changes to how they have to do things and any new requirements.
Honestly, though, there is a chance Google will allow you to uphold the restriction using Developer Mode but who knows. For developers, specifically those without the internet or literal Google-Android Developers (Android but not a Google-based Android device) I'm not sure how this is bound to work. Maybe Google cares only for protecting users subscribed to their ecosystem and you can unsubscribe (At least this portion) by disabling unsigned APK checking through developer options? Maybe only rooting the device will allow services such as F-Droid but I doubt that. I won't say I can see the future, though, but I don't think any new information has been posted yet from Google themselves outside of being accepted into that beta developer console + forum and specifically getting the details that may or may not have been stated (yet).

Either way, the point is that you shouldn't worry too much until official and actual information is provided. Specifically you should check in with the communities of the applications and services (Such as F-Droid) that you care about and stay up to date and separate the gossip, assumptions and speculations from the facts and official word from both the F-droid (And others) team as well as Google themselves. Trust me: When it comes time for the consumers to know more and information is provided, what exactly is happening will be made very clear to us by Google as well as many others.

Post automatically merged: Aug 28, 2025

Though there's one thing that I'm concerned about is the developers side of thing. What if I'm planning to develop an app but have not yet verified, I can't install the app to test? Probably there will be ways for you to enable the old way in the "developer option" menu.

My thoughts also were for "Developer Option". The sad thing is that for iOS development, you literally have to have an active license (you pay for yearly) as well as the most up-to-date iOS just to test your application. It's such an uncomfortable experience for any iOS developer so my point is that this entire idea isn't completely unknown to the world but I highly doubt Google is planning on going that route at this point. Don't give in to rumors and speculations until Google themselves have addressed it as fact quite yet.

 

[Armadillo]

Would you really want to install an apk from some unknown person?

Depends what it is and who is the person, but either way, it's my decision. It's my phone, what I install on it, is down to me. If I want to install an unsigned apk because someone said "trust me bro", then that's down to me, not google.

Same as is it is on pc. I can install stuff that isn't digitally signed by trusted whoever, down to me to make the decision on do I want to take this risk.

 

[HinaNaru Cutie]

you know i got taught something very important when i was a wee lady and that was if a coporate big wig company decides to bite the hand that feeds it than you bite back by simply not buying anything from them, making the coporate company submit to the ones who put them in that position for years by making there entire stocks plumet to the ground.

this is what google deserves and much more. so yes do vote with your wallet that is very much true and make sure they dont get nothing out of anybody until they get the whiplash they deserve rightfully so.

 

[Reualed]

Well, wouldn't surprise me if the development of linux phones starts speeding up.

This isn't the first time google pulled bullshit. Back during around 2012-2013, they were going to try to close things. When most of the people at that point contributing to the code of android more or less gave a middle finger, google conceded.

 

[Kingofknights]

Depends what it is and who is the person, but either way, it's my decision. It's my phone, what I install on it, is down to me. If I want to install an unsigned apk because someone said "trust me bro", then that's down to me, not google.

Same as is it is on pc. I can install stuff that isn't digitally signed by trusted whoever, down to me to make the decision on do I want to take this risk.

That's the thing. It's probably gonna be something you need to enable in the setting. I doubt it's a full block.

 

[ikynx]

Wtf. This is anti-Android, Google is forgetting why people love to use Android and blocking side loading is a ridiculous idea!

They aren't forgetting anything. The collective you has forgotten / is oblivious to a pretty obvious strategy: beginning with by providing a free open ecosystem, create and bake in habits into user lives over years, then consolidate, create paid tiers, gradually kill off free tier, mutate the openess in to closed control. I am disappointed but in no way surprised.

 

[saulopp]

It's a Google thing not Android per se. So Chinese phones such as Oppo and Vivo who run Android but do not use Google services won't be affected. In the end, it just makes Pixel and Samsung phones and everything with Google built in even less desirable.

When you give up freedom for safety, you lose both.

 

[huma_dawii]

What is the alternative? This is exactly what Google wants. Your alternatives are to use one of those fledgling Linux phones that barely work, the similarly locked down iPhone, or no phone at all. We're past the point of voting with our wallets--the companies are too big to fail and have all the power.

I use a flip phone, there are options.

 

[Ondrashek06]

So in preparation of this bullshit, I paid the $25 for a Google development license as it seems like it'll be similar to Apple where sideloading stuff is allowed with their $100/yr development license.

 

[Marc_LFD]

It's a Google thing not Android per se. So Chinese phones such as Oppo and Vivo who run Android but do not use Google services won't be affected. In the end, it just makes Pixel and Samsung phones and everything with Google built in even less desirable.

When you give up freedom for safety, you lose both.

I really like the Pixel 'a' series phones, but if they're going to block sideloading I might give those phones a go.