Answering your top questions about Android developer verification

Summary

Posted by Matthew Forsythe, Director, Product Management, Android App SafetyAndroid recently announced developer verification, an extra layer of security that deters bad actors and makes it harder for them to spread harm. Developer feedback is essential as we build this process. One of the most important themes we hear from the developer community is the need for more lead time to adapt to changes, which is why we announced this requirement more than a year before it takes effect. This extended timeline allows you to ask questions, provide feedback that will help shape the final process, and prepare for the new requirement, ensuring a smooth transition for your workflow. We're committed to answering your top questions, which you can find regularly updated in our guides and FAQ, and we've compiled the most frequent answers below. For a deeper discussion on developer identification, check out our conversation on Android Developer Backstage. VIDEODoes this mean sideloading is going away on Android?Absolutely not. Sideloading is fundamental to Android and it is not going away. Our new developer identity requirements are designed to protect users and developers from bad actors, not to limit choice. We want to make sure that if you download an app, it’s truly from the developer it claims to be published from, regardless of where you get the app. Verified developers will have the same freedom to distribute their apps directly to users through sideloading or through any app store they prefer.How does developer verification impact my use of Android Studio?We are working to ensure these changes don’t have an impact on your day-to-day workflow so you can continue building your apps as smoothly as possible. Participating in developer verification will not affect your experience in Android Studio, the official IDE for Android app development. You will continue to be able to build and run an app even if your identity is not verified. Android Studio is unaffected because deploymen...