Google has introduced a new layer of protection for Android smartphones

Google has stated that Android developers will need to be “verified” before they can distribute APKs outside the Play Store. While most Android users download and install apps from the company marketplace, which is available on their smartphones and tablets, others download apps over the internet as APK files. The practice of “sideloading” these programs enables developers to avoid the Google verification process, which was implemented in 2023 for listing their apps on the Play Store. However, this is likely to change, with the California company’s new rules taking effect in 2026.

Google’s move comes as the instances of cyberattacks rise

In an Android Developers blog post, Google reveals that the firm is providing a new layer of protection for Android devices, noting multiple cases of criminal actors impersonating developers to trick users into downloading fraudulent apps. According to its own data, APK sideloading leads to nearly 50 times more virus downloads than programs available on the Google Play Store.