Opening my weather app this morning I was greeted by this warning:
Google has announced that, starting in 2026/2027, all apps on certified Android devices will require the developer to submit personal identity details directly to Google. Since the developers of this app do not agree to this requirement, this app will no longer work on certified Android devices after that time.
It’s the first time I hear about this, seems to be about:
Cirrus app: Github
Was this a big thing I somehow missed? I hope more devs will follow suit.
Just to clarify:
Will my apps installed from F-droid be unaffected by this?
Even apps installed outside the Play Store will need to have a “verified developer”, and this change will affect any devices that use Google Play Services, so it will be a problem even to old devices.
I don’t personally have Google Play Services installed but I can see how devastating this could be to open source on Android.
If you don’t have Google Play Services installed, then you’re not affected. Of course, how many custom ROMs will live to that day is unknown.
The Mihon dev team has already announced that they’re going to get authorized and continue their work.
It’s… an interesting choice given what they’re working on, but they also took steps to stay legal
There won’t be Fdroid on Google OS phones period
From what I gather, yes. But will you be allowed to install F-Droid? No.
I’ve heard that it will still be possible to install unverified apps via ADB, so theoretically it wouldn’t be hard to make an app installer that uses Shizuku (tool that allows you to ADB into your own device) and have a website that automatically installs that using WebUSB or something
You’ll be able to install them, but play services will very probably stop them from starting.
They already have the framework for this in place, “unrecognised” apps get blocked by Play services already asking you if Google can scan the app before you start it, the app will not start at all unless you click yes or no.
Maybe yes. Maybe not. I think from now they won’t push that far, among other things because even developing for android platform would become a burden. Not being able to even test some app concept without a verified signature…
Maybe eventually they’ll go that far. But as of now I do think is unlikely they’ll completely block the adb way.
Anyway many current users won’t go adb. And third party stores will take a massive hit. That’s google’s goal.
app manager can already work as an app installer, but it needs wireless debugging enabled which can be a security risk. and you have to install app manager too somehow.
Unclear, but they are saying it will affect side-loaded apps, and no way to bypass with Developer Options, so I would assume so.
Depends on your OS. Most likely no.