Android is introducing a new developer verification system to strengthen application security while preserving the openness that allows developers to build, experiment, and distribute their applications.
Starting in September 2026, applications distributed through participating stores in selected regions must be registered by a verified developer before they can be installed on certified Android devices.
The objective is straightforward: make it more difficult for malicious developers to repeatedly distribute harmful applications while helping users install applications with greater confidence.
What Developers Need to Do
The verification process involves two main steps.
Step 1: Verify Your Identity
Developers must provide and verify personal information such as:
- Legal name
- Residential or business address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Official government-issued identification, if requested
Organizations must also provide a D-U-N-S number and verify their official website.
This process connects the developer account to a real person or legitimate organization. It is similar to verifying an identity before opening a bank account: the verification does not control what you create, but it establishes accountability.
Step 2: Register Your Application Package Names
Developers must register the package names of their Android applications and demonstrate ownership.
This normally requires providing an APK signed using the application’s private signing key. The signature connects the application package to the verified developer account.
Developers should therefore keep their signing keys secure. Losing a private signing key may create difficulties when proving ownership or publishing future application updates.
Choosing the Appropriate Distribution Account
Android provides two distribution options based on how widely an application will be distributed.
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