Google kneecaps indie Android devs, forces them to register

Google will extend developer verification to all Android apps, not just those installed from the Play Store, beginning with Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand in September 2026, and followed by global rollout in 2027 and beyond. Currently, developer verification is already required for the Play Store but not for apps …

[elsergiovolador]

MOBile

According to Google, the changes are necessary for security.

Yup, when a mob turns at your shop's door with a baseball bat, they also argue that small fee needs to be paid for security.

I mean, it's been hiding in the plain sight MOB-ill operating system.

[Missing Semicolon]

Re: MOBile

So when will they fix the apps that *are* from the Store?

[John Brown (no body)]

Re: MOBile

Or block the Malware-laden app already infesting their App store?

If they genuinely think they are doing this for the good of peoples security, why are they not spending the money sorting out their own problems first?

As with so many "updates" from any of the big suppliers, it's all about more money for them and never about a better "experience" for the users, except by a happy coincidence.

[Locomotion69]

Re: MOBile

Ah, security! Good! I was afraid it was all about making more money by charging developers $25...

[Anonymous Coward]

"requires a one-time $25.00 fee"...

And so the 'nickel-and-diming' begins...

[Forget It]

FDroid?

How will this effect FDroid?

[seven of five]

Re: FDroid?

Nice little appstore you have there. Would be a shame if anything happened to it...

[doublelayer]

Re: FDroid?

The store itself will probably find it quite easy to get that certificate, but now everybody in the store needs their own or F-Droid needs to be able to submit everyone's apps for verification. I'm not sure if that latter option will work. From the sound of it, it would work technically, but it is likely against the terms of the contract you sign when you get permission. Google is killing sideloading.

[YetAnotherXyzzy]

Re: FDroid?

Looks like I need to send a 25 USD donation to each of my favorite F-Droid apps, with a link to this article and my thanks for their putting up with Google's ever-increasing nonsense.

[mfraz]

Re: FDroid?

I presume this will also affect any previously purchased Humble Bundle apps.

[Pete Sdev]

Re: FDroid?

I detect an EU anti-trust case arriving in 3 2 1.

[Phil Ni'Sophical]

Re: FDroid?

And risk upsetting Don? "Unfairly" picking on great innovative American companies? Not likely. A lot more pussy footing will be seen over the next three and a half years, I fear.

Icon because.. Well, it should be obvious!

[Ken Shabby]

Re: FDroid?

Apparently he usually “grabs”, would this be “Toed in the hole”

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: FDroid?

"Risk upsetting Don? "Unfairly" picking on great innovative American companies? Not likely. A lot more pussy footing."

I thought grabbing rather than footing was more the TACO Don's thing.

[Charlie Clark]

Re: FDroid?

I'm not sure there will be any need for an anti-trust case, existing consumer protection laws in many countries let users do pretty much what they want with their hardware.

[Kurgan]

Re: FDroid?

We'll see who is more powerful: Google or the law.

Spoiler: Google.

[graemep]

Re: FDroid?

Has anyone explained that to Apple?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: FDroid?

Since F-Droid compiles everything in their repository, wouldn't their registration count?

Unless there is an off switch in Developer mode, it would impact all the small (single app) repos.

[doublelayer]

Re: FDroid?

We don't know Google's terms, but because they didn't write everything in their repository, I wonder if Google might object to that. The idea is that Google wants to identify all developers, and if they didn't identify me but my code can be installed, logic suggests they wouldn't be happy about that. The problem is that logic left this process as soon as they started claiming they cared about security, so it's hard to know what they want and how they would react to any of the suggestions we make.

[zimzam]

a recent analysis found over 50 times more malware from "internet-sideloaded sources"

Yes, but is anyone downloading them. Are you also going to block website unless they have a Google certificate?

[cdegroot]

Re: a recent analysis found over 50 times more malware from "internet-sideloaded sources"

Dont worry, that will happen in Chrome at some point. Google is slowly building their own walled garden called "formerly known as The Internet". And indeed with the protection racket that is formerly known as the US Government, they will do that unchallenged and unharmed. Then the Big Monetization can begin.

[Blackjack]

I use F-Droid so this sucks.

Also: https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/26/apps_android_malware/

Security? Right.

[Dan 55]

I trust apps hosted on F-Droid 1000 times more than apps hosted on the Play Store.

[HXO]

I am sorta with Google on this.

'App Lounge' (an anonymous front for Googles store) on eOS, has for each application a link to its report page on

https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/

Also handy if one were using Googles store.

I use very few applications on phones, so have little thought put into this:

1. I think for the vast majority of users, this (registrering developers, so they do not pop up again the moment they are banned) will be a good thing. No, it will not be a full solution, but everything helps; remember that few (even in IT) understand security.

2. For the 1‰s will there not be an option in the 'hidden' dev/debug menu to allow sideloading?

[zimzam]

Re: I am sorta with Google on this.

2 is what we have now. If they were really serious about this they'd redesign it so it's hard for novices to do under nefarious instruction. These certificates will be about as effective as Play Protect.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: I am sorta with Google on this.

It's good when done by a completely unbiased and non-political party. So far I have never seen one of those. This simply provides Google with more power and control and Google can be manipulated by politics.

[hoola]

Adverts

Given the prevalence of adverts in so many Apps rendering them next to useless along with all the data grabbing that goes on that are far more problems than just certifying a developer.

There is one useful application I use that even after paying to "Remove ads" still presents adverts from "selected partners. Very sneakily they did not appear until after the (very) short window to get your money back.

Then the App where the exit button is hidden by a transparent Ad so you end up with a screen full of shite. As for what is termed "Appropriate" I just don't get it. The Ads themselves are for even worse shite so the point is clearly not the product but clicks on sites and grabbing data.

[Neil Barnes]

Re: Adverts

Even the phone maker supplied file manager has just started throwing adverts at me. WTF is wrong with the world?

[Fruit and Nutcase]

Re: Adverts

Ignore any File manager type application supplied by the phone maker - there is a stock Android "Files" facility...

com.android.documentsui.files.FilesActivity

- just they've not provided the mean to launch it

Take a look here...

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidPreviews/comments/hrjlok/for_those_who_still_wish_to_open_the_classic/

I took the route of creating an app*, which on launch, activates the above mentioned FilesActivity - meant I didn't need to download a shortcut creating app...

* a moot point - longer term, I doubt I'd be registering with Google for developing my own utility apps

[Tom Chiverton 1]

Re: Adverts

Fx is also free, no ads

[Prst. V.Jeltz]

Re: own utility apps

I was thinking of having a dabble at some Android app coding , starting with literally a "hello world" just to see the route taken , architecture , hoops to jump though etc .

I hope that kind of "own use" scale can be implemented without all this business in the title of the article .

Any suggestions where to start anyone?

[IamAProton]

I have a google-free android device (not used as a phone, mind you, I use a 'dumb' phone)

I don't like google position and I have no problem quitting entirely the 'smartphone', but i do not accept a bank that 'requires' and app, nor any other service.

Not sure for how long I can hold my position because 'people' but at least I feel like I'm more part of the solution rather than part of the problem...

[zimzam]

Luckily I have the money for two phones, so I've split the workload. Most of my smartphone usage is now on a Fairphone with Ubuntu Touch. Anything that's still locked behind the walled gardens I now have on an iPhone. At this point I just find Google completely pointless.

[HereIAmJH]

Forced app usage

The bank that has my HSA (Health Savings Account, for the non 'Mercans) recently sent me a notice that I would have to load their app if I wanted to continue to use the account. I immediately called customer service and informed them that as soon as the app was required, I'd close my account. I never got an explanation for the email, but I was assured that the app usage was not mandatory. I'm guessing they got a bit of unexpected backlash.

TBH, I'm getting pretty tired of businesses and products requiring me to get their app to spend money with them. Every app is a potential security vulnerability or a leak of personal information. I'm looking forward to the day I no longer need T-Mobile's home internet so I can get rid of T-Life. That is one of the most annoying apps I have ever had to use.

I don't necessarily dislike smart phones. But I sure wish there was a good, small, flip phone where I could read texts and messages and paired with a tablet for replying and all the other 'smartphone' features.

[Apocalypso - a cheery end to the world]

Re: Forced app usage

> Every app is a potential security vulnerability

The word "potential" is superfluous in that sentence.

For shits and giggles, tell them that you are an app developer and would like to see a copy of their app's source code so you can evaluate it's security. Tell them if they have nothing to hide and it is securely written then that should be no problem.

[Sergey 1]

Re: Forced app usage

> tell them that you are an app developer and would like to see a copy of their app's source code

Don't need to. ADB pull, then

apktool d filename.apk

You can even cut out the ads, repackage and install - most of them have no integrity protection.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Forced app usage

I wont use Google or Apple out of principle. I use Lineage or Graphene but I see the day coming I will dump smartphones. I refuse to pay by phone, first choice cash, second card. People think I'm weird, I don't care, they're too thick to see where it ends, preferring convenience to freedom. What I hate is that their apathy will hurt me too.

[NATTtrash]

Re: Forced app usage

Here, have an upvote from another weird one. And then we are not even talking about the self-invited nuclear waste and drought in their future. Also not so sure about the remarks here on governments/ EU tackling this clearly monopolistic behaviour (IE any one?). Think about it, how many times do you see government, or so-called "public" apps distributed through channels other than Playstore/ AppStore?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Forced app usage

The only real reason to have T-Life is the initial setup. You can safely uninstall it after that. Though an app definitely should NOT be required; they aught to use a web interface on the "gateway" like the sane half of the planet!

[Anonymous Coward]

Keep up the good fight.

[Anonymous Coward]

> I have a google-free android device

Same here (well, LineageOS). Never had a Google account in my life (too lazy to make one when Brin & Page were in charge, too repulsed to make one later).

No Microsoft account either. And no Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.

[JimmyPage]

So you can't code for your own device then ?

MS must be really pissed of they didn't get there first.

[doublelayer]

Re: So you can't code for your own device then ?

Why do people do this? Microsoft has done a lot of things that deserve complaint, but they have not done things like this. Microsoft has had code signing for a very long time. They could have made that work with only Microsoft-issued certificates. They didn't. They could have made signing mandatory. They didn't. They could have made either of those the default and required a switch in the settings or even the registry to change them. They didn't. In the same way, they helped develop Secure Boot. They could have locked out non-Windows OSes that way. They could have pressured their OEMs to make it mandatory. What did they actually do? They ensured that non-Microsoft bootloaders and operating systems could boot with it enabled and it's optional on all machines that ship with Windows, including the hardware Microsoft makes themselves.

If I compare commercial operating systems, Windows is the one where I'm most confident I can run software of my choosing and the one that makes it easiest to remove and replace it with something of my choosing. Mac OS comes a not too close second. Nothing else is in the same area. Why does Microsoft get the blame for something almost every commercial OS does except theirs?

[vekkq]

Re: So you can't code for your own device then ?

Microsoft would lose customers to Mac and Linux, if they locked up what can run on their system.

Android effectively only has iOS to content to and they love locking stuff up too. It needs more competition in the mobile market.

[cyberdemon]

> It needs more competition in the mobile market.

Microsoft killed Maemo

Because it threatened their doomed WindowsPhone

[σύνβάλλω]

Re: So you can't code for your own device then ?

They could have locked out non-Windows OSes, but they just didn't, because they were smart enough when shoving buttloads of money on WSL (Azure?) and buying out people like Poettering. Just reading between the lines. :)

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: So you can't code for your own device then ?

Microsoft could have spent time and effort trying to unsuccessfully prevent people running their own code on the XBox. Instead they introduced Dev Mode, so you can run what you like.

Microsoft are a massive company, and parts of it are working in completely opposite directions.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: So you can't code for your own device then ?

Indeed. This is one of the major reasons why Apple users are a distant second to Microsoft users. Way back when Microsoft was just starting to use a graphical interface, Apple already had one. And it was much better machine, OS, and interface. But Apple restricted the user to using only Apple software, while Microsoft allowed software from anywhere, allowing Microsoft's OS to support many, many times the programs that users were looking for. Guess which one people bought? And, as they say, the rest is history...

[Chris Fox]

Re: So you can't code for your own device then ?

And Google have the cheek to say that a goal of this new gate-keeping policy is to keep Android "open" ... yeah, right.

I wonder how the side-load block is to be enforced; phone phone home, or a cert check like secure boot?

What next, pay and register to unlock your Android device because ... security?

[Jellied Eel]

Re: So you can't code for your own device then ?

And Google have the cheek to say that a goal of this new gate-keeping policy is to keep Android "open" ... yeah, right.

Yep, I don't get that. Or it's an open invitation for the regulators, who've already been chucking fines around for assorted stores that are walled gardens. Maybe AlphaGoo has been emboldened by the tariff wars and threats & counter-threats around digital services.

[Alien Doctor 1.1]

I know TFA mentioned some sort of hobbyist exemption, will that include apps I write for my own use and sideload on my Samsung tablets?

[HereIAmJH]

Yes, you'll need to register with Google, send all your personal identification, and jump through all the hoops to be a registered developer. Except for the $25 fee. And it wouldn't surprise me if they locked your ability to install to devices registered with your Google account.

Somehow they thought the $25 fee was the barrier. I predict hobby development will fall off a cliff, and unique new applications will go to other platforms. I wonder if there is a VM application for Android where you could bypass Google to run apps in a sandbox.

[HXO]

"new applications will go to other platforms"

Which ones? The only one I can think of is iThings, and last I looked that is 100USD *annually* + a MAC PC for development, which is a bit more expensive than the PCs I run with.

[Dan 55]

Somehow they thought the $25 fee was the barrier.

It is a barrier in quite a big part of the world.

[IGotOut]

And this at the same time..

...the Chief Fascist announced tariffs on any country trying to reign them in.

Coincidence or corruption? You decide.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: And this at the same time..

I hope and it is hope, that he wants to expose the censorship & monitoring that is being put in place. But calling him a fascist at this point is total stupidity. If people continue conflating personalities they just don't like with fascists they will get a real one. Think Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Mao, Pol Pot. Yes I know some were called communists but fascism and communism are just different faces of totalitarianism. Both result in death and misery for the people.

[Dan 55]

Re: And this at the same time..

Fascism: A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Give it a year or so, we just need more stringent government controls and violent suppression of the opposition.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: And this at the same time..

You're already getting brown shirts on the streets...

[LBJsPNS]

Re: And this at the same time..

Your naivete is appalling. As in mild amount of brain damage appalling.

[ayay]

thanks, Google.

Got an iPhone 8 plus from a friend.

I liked it in many ways. But I missed F-Droid and the likes of it. As a result, bought myself a pixel 8a.

This thing sucks. It has terrible battery life. It's not fast - the aging 8 Plus was a lot smoother. It's buggy. But it runs the things I want to run, so I'll cope with the downsides.

Well... Not anymore!

So long, Google. You really are a case study in stupidity.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: thanks, Google.

Have you not reflashed the phone with CalyxOS, GrapheneOS, IodeOS, e/OS or even Lineage OS? Battery life of most phones is fine once they are de googled.

[that one in the corner]

Re: thanks, Google.

Isn't *THE* reason to buy an "official Google device" because those are the ones that get third-party OS support?

Instead of praying that your newly-purchased "one of the thousand random devices released this year" happens to have also been purchased by an active alt-OS dev, so it will be supported (as soon as said dev has worked their way past all the "what the blazes is inside *this* one hurdles).

[Jamie Jones]

Re: thanks, Google.

No.

I've never bought Google devices, and have never had any problems with apps.

This is my current phone. Better spec and less than half the price. It's a no-brainer.

https://versus.com/en/cubot-kingkong-x-pro-vs-google-pixel

P.S. I currently have 100s of apps installed!

[Anonymous Coward]

George Santayana

Quote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

xz problems, anyone??

[Grogan]

It's time to stop buying these asshole devices, then. I paid $500 for my phone, I'll install whatever the fuck I like on it.

This is just Google thinking they can control and monetize everything and squeeze out hobbyist and independent devs. They have turned Android into quite the piece of shit since I first started using these devices. I only bought into that environment because of the freedom.

I use the F-Droid store because it's got some better apps, but I'm kicking myself for not buying a Pine Phone this time. My reservation was that it might be difficult to find a carrier around here that it would work on but I'm not sure that's valid.

[TReko]

Irony

Nothing to do with the appstore, but if you want to root a phone or install your own OS on it, then the primary choice if actual Google Pixel devices.

Almost every other manufacturer locks their bootloader now. Google Pixels are open, and the new operating system like GrapheneOS can relock the security, something not possible on any other Android device now.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Irony

It's a shocking state of affairs. I watch our liberty disappearing little by little. But it seems to be what the people want.

[Number 39]

Re: something not possible on any other Android device now

It is also possible on several Motorola models. (But the difference is to get the ability you have to go through a process with Motorola and get a code emailed.)

[Anonymous Coward]

More restrictive practice

It's the usual justification of "keeping you safe", but it always seems to either commercially benefit in money and/or control. Just like governments. F'k off then. I don't need Google, I don't want you knowing everything about everything because then you will be my ruler. This is Google putting in more mechanisms to let it decide what apps you can have.

I suggest any freedom lovers move to Lineage or Graphene or anything not controlled by a behemoth of corporation or government.

[Jamie Jones]

Re: More restrictive practice

I'm surprised they haven't used the "think of the children" line

[Anonymous Coward]

The new Orange?

Google seems to be moving towards Apple's model but with the added "bonus" of being from a company that makes most of its profit from customer data, rather than hardware and services.

Personally, I prefer Apple's approach for the majority of non-technical users - as long as there are options for those who like, and are able, to dig into the lower levels of their devices.

[Captain Hogwash]

Mature Linux Phones

can't come soon enough.

[Anonymous Coward]

This is disastrous news.

Luckily the i.e Chinese vendors will remain open and possible to sideload but this is not ideal.

[b1k3rdude]

Er how exactly is this going to block .APK installs, the answer it wont.

So I will stick with not using the play store or having any Google API's on my phone running Graphene OS, thanks.

[RegGuy1]

Good news! Great! Thanks Google ...

I've said this so many times before. Why do you need apps?

FFS. They exist simply to track you, to get more data out of you. Just use a browser -- and preferably not Chrome, as that sucks data too.

Why do you think EVERY bloody website wants you to download their app? It's not about them offering a better service for you, it's about them collecting data on you. Every time you then use their app they KNOW it's you. You have no control.

Plus, web browsers have bookmarks. So you open that one program and find what you want there. With apps they pollute your desktop and, looking at my kids phones, you can't even find the thing.

Still, if you're happy with these scum taking all that free data, then enjoy ...

[Vincent Ballard]

Re: Good news! Great! Thanks Google ...

I need apps because I want to do things with files which are stored on the SD card. Putting all my photos, music etc. in the cloud without a local copy would be idiocy; keeping it all in a browser's LocalStorage cache would prevent me copying to/from my desktop computer or switching browser.

[Jamie Jones]

Re: Good news! Great! Thanks Google ...

I use "apps" for the same reason I install software on my computer.

I agree with you about apps that are just simple front-ends to a web site, but there is a hell of a lot more to "apps" than that.

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't see the problem

So they want you to pay $25 and prove who you are to sell an app on Google phones?

Good!

It's one way to reduce the malware and slop on the store. And if you don't think your app can deliver a return on your $25 investment, it's probably best not to inflict it on anyone anyway.

[Baudwalk]

Not just sell...

..., but also for writing your own, personal apps and sideloading them.

At least that's what I got from the article.

And as for that: Screw the bastards!

I paid the $25 many years ago, but a couple of years ago they closed my account because I hadn't uploaded anything to the Play Store.

Not doing that again. Ever. I'll just do PWA apps instead.

[Vincent Ballard]

Re: Don't see the problem

You appear not to have read more than the title, and not to have understood that. This is not about the malware and slop in the store: it's about the malware and slop which isn't in the store.

[saltycupcakes]

Better Idea

A much better idea would be asking the user at setup time if they want to allow sideloading and not give the option to change it without resetting the phone.

Alternatively you could make it take 7 days for turning on sideloading to take effect.

Either of these should make it much harder for fraudsters to trick people into loading malware while still letting users sideload if they want to.

[Missing Semicolon]

Blocking

Expect "unwanted" apps like PipePipe to be unavailable. Now *all* apps will have to conform to the Google Ts&Cs.