Android developer verification: what changes on September 30, 2026

Google lists three steps. In August 2026, developer APIs, limited distribution accounts and the advanced flow for power users launched. On September 30, 2026 comes the regional deadline in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand: installs there from participating stores on certified devices running Android 7 and later are checked against registered developers. The participating stores are Google Play, HONOR App Market, OPPO App Market, Galaxy Store, Palm Store, V-Appstore and GetApps. In 2027 and beyond, Google plans a global rollout to all apps on certified Android devices, so developers outside those four countries have a year, not an exemption.

For most Play developers, Google says no new action is needed for identity: the identity you already verified for Play meets the requirement, and you can check it under Developer Account on the Settings page in Play Console. Apps are a separate step. Google registered 99% of Play apps automatically from information you had already provided, but Play developers must register their package names, which can mean proving ownership of the private signing keys. The cases most likely to need a manual step are apps also distributed outside Play, the same package name used elsewhere, or a different signing key. Google’s instruction is to check the Play Console home page and, by September 30, 2026, register any remaining apps you want to keep distributing, to avoid their global removal from Google Play.

If you distribute only outside Play, for example through your own website or another store, you use the Android Developer Console. There are two steps: verify your identity as an individual or an organization, and register your package names by providing an APK signed with your private key, which connects the app to your account. Organizations also give their website, verified through Google Search Console. Students, teachers and hobbyists who only share an app with a small group can use a limited distribution account: up to 20 devices, without a government-issued ID or a registration fee.

Google describes an advanced flow that lets power users still install apps from unregistered developers, with extra safeguards that Google says give time and space to break the cycle of potential coercion. For a legitimate developer, relying on users going through that flow is a poor plan: register instead. If you also publish on Google Play, keep the listing in order too: the target API level requirement and Android vitals decide whether new users can install and find your app, and Data safety must match what the app does.

Registration keeps your app installable; getting people to it is the next step. Censuus ranks apps by the real visit traffic they draw, and adding your app is free on the submit page. Sponsorship raises placement and adds a followed link to your website; details are on the sponsor page. For the full plan, start with how to market an app. We do not promise installs or store rankings.