this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2026
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Google is requiring mandatory developer verification for all Android apps in 2026 (keepandroidopen.org)
submitted 1 month ago by TheTearMiser@lemmy.world to c/android@lemmy.world
13 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

If you haven't seen this yet, Google is planning to require mandatory developer identity verification for all Android apps, including apps distributed outside the Play Store, taking effect September 2026. This affects every independent and open source Android developer directly.

This is not just about the Play Store. After September 2026, on any certified Android device, applications from unverified developers will be blocked by default. The only proposed bypass, the "advanced flow", exists only as a blog post and has not appeared in any beta, dev preview, or canary release. No one outside Google has seen it.

The community has been fighting back at keepandroidopen.org:

  • Read the full breakdown of what this means
  • Sign the open letter (organisations only)
  • Contact your national regulators — contacts listed by country on the site
  • Add the countdown banner to your project

September 2026 is closer than it looks. The time to push back is now.

top 13 comments
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[–] TractorDuffy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Are there any FOSS devices available on the market now? I'd rather not wait until next year

[–] TractorDuffy@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'd rather stop using android than join some anonymous internet battle. What are my options?

[–] TheTearMiser@lemmy.world 1 points 15 hours ago

i sure would like to know what you found becuase the answer as far as i can tell is... there are no options

[–] Bazell@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This is what happens when you don't have strong competitors. We need to promote more independent OS platforms for smartphones like Linux distros.

[–] leftascenter@jlai.lu 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

AKA: Don't waste time and energy fighting google, spend it helping GNU phones.

[–] kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Which GNU project are you buying from/supporting?

[–] thenoirwolfess@fedinsfw.app 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You don't need to wait for confirmation someone else is doing x before doing x yourself. Take the first step!

[–] fartographer@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

In fairness, plenty of actors are taking steps in doing x, aka, mobile Linux operating systems. It's difficult as fuck, even for those with lots of experience, in ways that primarily boil down to the proprietary nature of smartphone communications infrastructure because of companies that have taken actions similar to Google, and then were supported by overreaching legislation. (From what I understand)

This shit runs so deep and has been running for so long, but we've only recently started hearing more about ongoing projects because of the flagrant privacy violations surrounding us. Just because so many of us only recently started paying attention, myself included, doesn't mean that these solutions are new.

[–] LeSparrow@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago

That is a stupidly hilarious username. And I agree, I switched to GOS fur a bit but had to switch back for various reasons. I'm gonna give it a go again soon, but things like PostmarketOS are still clearly identifying themselves as for devs/tinkerers/experts only.

[–] FE80@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Start moving to LineageOS or GrapheneOS now. Plan your next phone purchase on a model supporting one of these. eBay a used phone if you have to. Get out.

[–] PangurBan@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Do they have their own app stores? How does that work? Already switched my PC to Linux. Maybe I'll look into that.

[–] FE80@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You can use the Google Play app store if you want; or you can use alternate app stores like F-Droid, Aptiode, Accressent, or probably some other thing I've never heard of.

[–] LeSparrow@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago

Obtainium is an app store of sorts