Google compares the move to an ID check at the airport, and says it's aimed at tackling harmful apps. It launches next year, but you can request early access now. Don't miss out on our latest stories.

Google plans to restrict app sideloading on Android from unverified developers starting in 2026, raising concerns among users. While the company cites security, many fear Android is becoming a closed ...

Apps loaded with malware have been a problem on Android phones for years, and a key reason behind it is the open nature of the operating system. Unlike iOS, which only allows installation of apps from ...

Google is introducing a new defense for Android called ‘Developer Verification’ to block malware installations from sideloaded apps sourced from outside the official Google Play app store. For apps on ...

Android's open nature set it apart from the iPhone as the era of touchscreen smartphones began nearly two decades ago. Little by little, Google has traded some of that openness for security, and its ...