Here’s how Google’s getting ready for Android’s upcoming sideloading restri

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TL;DR

• Last year, Google announced that developers would have to register even when users are only sideloading their apps.
• Eventually Google backed down, and offered to give advanced users an option for manual installs from unknown sources.
• Ahead of that rolling out, we’re seeing Google Play begin to prepare for this system’s arrival.

Changes are coming to how Android users install apps outside the safety and protection of the Play Store. Google sounded the alarm last summer, warning the Android community that starting in 2026, even developers releasing apps for sideloading would have to register with Google. Following some immediate pushback, Google softened its stance a bit, ultimately agreeing to give informed users the option for an “advanced” installation flow that would support even unverified apps. And as we wait to see exactly how that’s going to work, we’re starting to spot some early pieces of it.

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At least, we’re definitely identifying text strings recently added to Google Play (here we’re looking at version 49.7.20-29) that make reference to verified installs — and the ability to proceed even without verification. But we have questions about whether or not this represents that new “advanced flow” Google teased. Take a look:




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