In March 2026, Google introduced major updates to how applications can be installed on Android devices, a process known as sideloading. Sideloading allows users to install apps from sources other than the official Google Play Store or third-party app stores. This feature has long been a key characteristic of Android, distinguishing it from Apple's iPhone, which uses a more controlled system known as a "walled garden." The changes did not eliminate sideloading entirely, but they introduced new rules that took effect on September 30, 2026, in four countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. On Android devices running version 7 or later, apps from participating stores must now be developed by verified individuals. This means developers must register with Google, provide contact information, and submit proof of identity, such as a scanned official ID. This new requirement is part of a program called Android Developer Verification, which has been in place for a few days. Although the verification process is currently limited to these four countries, Google plans to roll it out globally in 2027. The verification system does more than just add a badge to an app; it links a developer's identity to their apps and the digital keys used to sign the software. For Google, this is about ensuring traceability and improving security. Once the transition is complete, sideloading will become more complicated. Users who want to install an app from a website without going through a store will need to enable Developer Mode in their device settings. After restarting the device, Google will require a 24-hour waiting period before the app can be installed. The company explains this delay as a way to combat scams involving social engineering and pressure tactics. This waiting period applies once per installation, not for every app. Additionally, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool remains available for developers. While this measure may reduce certain types of malicious activity, it could also significantly impact unofficial app stores and the practice of sideloading overall. The increased complexity may discourage users from using these methods. The initial list of approved stores includes the Google Play Store, Galaxy Store, HONOR's App Market, OPPO's App Market, Xiaomi's GetApps, Vivo's V-Appstore, and Transsion's Palm Store. However, developer verification does not guarantee an app's security. This change is part of a larger trend of increased control and restrictions on Android, with critics like GrapheneOS pointing out concerns about how Google is managing security updates for the Android Open Source Program (AOSP).