Google recently announced that beginning in 2026, application developers will gradually be required to undergo identity verification, with only applications carrying a verified developer signature permitted for sideloading on Android. In other words, the direct installation of apps via APK files will face new restrictions.
The rationale, according to Google, is to curb the spread of malicious software by preventing anonymous developers from distributing malware. Even APKs obtained outside of Google Play will not be installable unless the developer has completed Google’s verification process.
Many users, however, view this move with suspicion, arguing that it signals a gradual shift toward a closed Android ecosystem. Google executives counter this criticism, emphasizing that sideloading remains a cornerstone of Android, and that the new requirements are not intended to restrict freedom but to reinforce security.
That said, Google has left a narrow pathway for developers and enthusiasts: applications sideloaded via ADB connections to Android devices will not require certified developer signatures. This exemption ensures that hobbyists and developers can continue debugging and experimentation.
Since ADB sideloading is far from straightforward for the average user, Google considers it impractical for malicious actors to exploit this route at scale, which is precisely why the option remains available.
It remains unclear, however, whether Google will preserve this policy indefinitely. As the signature verification regime evolves, the company could eventually decide that even ADB sideloading must comply with certified developer signature checks.
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