Tag: Developer Verification

  • Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 Launches for Supported Pixel Devices

    Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 Launches for Supported Pixel Devices

    Key Takeaways

    1. Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 locks the API surface and finalizes app-facing behaviors.
    2. New security features include mandatory developer verification for app installations starting in September 2026 in certain regions.
    3. Users can download 64-bit system images to experience the beta on the Android Emulator, even without a supported Pixel device.
    4. Existing Android Beta program users will receive an over-the-air upgrade to Beta 2.
    5. This update significantly enhances user safety and experience as the final stable version approaches.

    Last week, users of compatible Pixel devices began engaging with Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2. This new update has locked the API surface, finalized app-facing behaviors, and brings us closer to the final stable version.

    Enhanced Security Features

    In this release, Google is rolling out developer verification to enhance safety for users. As stated in the Android Developers Blog, “Starting in September 2026 and in certain regions, Android will mandate that apps be registered by verified developers for installation on certified Android devices, with an exemption for installations done via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB).” Alongside this, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 includes several key highlights:

    Accessing the Beta

    For those without a supported Pixel device who wish to experience Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2, they can download the 64-bit system images to use with the Android Emulator in Android Studio. Users already enrolled in the Android Beta program will receive an over-the-air upgrade to Beta 2.

    Conclusion

    The enhancements in this update are a significant move towards improving user safety and experience. As we inch closer to the stable build, the excitement among developers and users alike is certainly palpable.

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  • Android to Block Sideloading of Unverified Apps in 2024

    Android to Block Sideloading of Unverified Apps in 2024

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google will require all apps installed from outside of Google Play to be registered by verified developers starting September 2026.
    2. Developers must complete a two-step verification process, including identity confirmation and proof of app ownership.
    3. Sideloading will still be allowed, maintaining developers’ freedom to distribute apps directly to users.
    4. The new requirement will first roll out in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2025, with a global rollout planned for 2027.
    5. Google has launched a new Android Developer Console to assist developers who do not use Google Play for app distribution.

    Google has recently introduced a new security feature for Android that mandates all apps installed from outside of Google Play to be registered by a verified developer. This “developer verification” rule will be put into action in September 2026 for certified Android devices, which are those that come with Play Protect. According to Google, this move aims to combat malware, as they found that users are 50 times more likely to encounter malware when downloading apps from sources sideloaded from the internet.

    Verification Steps for Developers

    To get verified, developers will need to go through a two-step process. Initially, they must confirm their identity by submitting personal or business IDs, which include their legal name, email address, home address, phone number, and website verification. The second step requires developers to demonstrate ownership of their applications by providing the unique package name and signing keys associated with the apps.

    Sideloading Still Allowed

    Google emphasizes that this change won’t eliminate sideloading, stating that “developers will still have the same freedom to directly distribute their apps to users through sideloading or to use any app store they see fit.” They compare the process to an “ID check at an airport,” which verifies a traveler’s identity without interfering with the security checks of their baggage.

    Global Rollout

    The new requirement will first be implemented in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September next year, with plans for a worldwide rollout set for 2027 and later. To assist developers who do not use Google Play for distribution, Google has launched a new Android Developer Console. Additionally, they are developing a different version of the Android Developer Console aimed at hobbyist developers and students.

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