GOOGLE'S Android developer verification program, announced in 2025, mandates valid developer signatures for sideloaded apps to combat fraud. Despite criticism regarding the potential threat to Android's open ecosystem, Google emphasized safety, introducing a 24-hour wait for users trying to install unsigned apps. A month-by-month rollout is planned, beginning with a new system service launching in June 2026, culminating in verification enforcement starting September 30, 2026, in select countries.
Users can still sideload unverified apps with a one-time setting, but developers can utilize ADB for quicker installations. By 2027, global enforcement is expected to be in place.