Google Sets Sept. 30 Deadline for Android Developer Verification in Four Countries

Google will begin enforcing an Android Developer Verification system on certified devices in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand on September 30, 2026, blocking normal installs of apps from developers who haven't registered an identity with Google. The device-side Android Developer Verifier (rolling out to Android 8+ devices) will require developer registration and per-app ownership proof; unregistered apps can still be installed only via a high-friction advanced sideload flow or ADB. Google offers limited free 20-device accounts and APIs for bulk registration, but projects like F-Droid and privacy advocates warn the change could harm open-source distribution and centralize control of app installs.