F-Droid Developers Criticize Google’s Restrictions on Sideloading Apps in Android
Google has announced that starting in 2026, only apps from verified developers will be installable on certified Android devices. While the company says the move will combat malware and financial fraud, developers behind the F-Droid project warn that the change threatens the very existence of alternative app stores.
What F-Droid Says
F-Droid, a 15-year-old app store and repository for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) on Android, has long provided an alternative to the Google Play Store. It allows users to search, install, and update apps, while giving developers tools to distribute software without intrusive advertising or tracking.
According to the F-Droid team, Google’s developer verification program undermines the free distribution of apps. They argue that:
- Malware already exists on the official Play Store, so verification won’t solve the problem entirely.
- Independent developers, many of whom release apps for free, may be unable or unwilling to pay registration fees.
- Third-party app stores like F-Droid cannot intercept package identifiers or force developers to register with Google without compromising their principles of openness and developer autonomy.
In their view, the policy amounts to an attempt by Google to strengthen its monopoly on software distribution, using “security” as a pretext.
How the Policy Works
Google plans to require all developers—inside and outside the Play Store—to verify their identity and register their apps. Key details:
- A simplified Android Developer Console will be created for developers distributing apps outside Google Play.
- Verification will require identity checks, app package name registration, and signing keys.
- Developers already on Google Play typically meet these requirements through the existing Play Console, which asks organizations for a D-U-N-S number (a unique nine-digit identifier for legal entities).
- Testing begins in October 2025, with initial rollout set for September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. A global rollout will follow in 2027.
Google points out that similar requirements introduced for Google Play in 2023 led to a significant decline in malware and fraud cases. The company also insists developers will still be able to distribute apps directly to users or through other stores—provided they pass verification.
The Dispute Over Costs and Control
F-Droid argues that the initiative will not only collect personal data from developers but also impose financial barriers. Test participants have already been asked if they could pay verification fees in U.S. dollars, suggesting costs will apply.
For independent developers who publish free software, even modest fees may discourage participation. F-Droid stresses that forcing all developers to register with Google infringes on freedom of speech and thought by limiting how people choose to run software on their devices.
Call to Action
F-Droid’s maintainers warn that their project cannot survive if Google enforces the program as designed. They are urging regulators in the U.S. and EU to examine Google’s plans and calling on developers and users to demand intervention before the changes become irreversible.
