Android verification is coming: Google confirms timeline and supported app stores
Summary
Google is rolling out Android developer verification starting in September 2026, with initial deployment in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The rollout includes verification for external developers, API tools to ease registration, and support for trusted third-party app stores. The goal is to reduce app scams and malware, though it will impose additional requirements on developers and may affect sideloading on non-verified apps; expansion to more stores and regions is planned for 2027.