To install an APK on Android from a developer Google hasn't verified, turn on Developer options, go to Settings, System, Developer options, switch on Allow apps from unverified developers, wait out the one-time 24-hour security delay, then tap Install anyway at the warning. Google's Android Help recommends installing only from verified developers, and this is a changing policy as of Nov 2026.
If you've installed APKs before, this is new. Google now runs Android developer verification, which requires apps to be registered by verified developers before they can be installed on certified Android devices. Google says the aim is to protect people from scams, malware and bad actors who hide behind anonymity to keep spreading harmful apps. Try to install an app from an unverified developer and you'll get a notification, and the install won't go through, unless you complete a one-time process in your settings.
Where developer verification applies, and when
| Question | What Google's help says, as of Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| When did it start? | September 2026 |
| Where first? | Certified Android devices in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand |
| Which stores first? | Google Play, HONOR App Market, OPPO App Market, Galaxy Store, Palm Store, V-Appstore and GetApps |
| What comes next? | More app stores gradually, then verification expanded globally for all apps on certified Android devices in 2027 |
| Which phones? | Certified Android devices running Android 8 and up |
| Who's exempt? | Android Open Source Project and non-certified devices, regions where Google Mobile Services aren't supported, and territories under trade sanctions |
| What's on the phone? | A Google system service called Android Developer Verifier, package name com.google.android.verifier, which checks an app is registered to a verified developer |
Outside those four countries, Google describes the global expansion as coming in 2027, so what you see depends on where you are and when you're reading this. That's why I'd always check the date on any APK guide, this one included.
The one-time process for apps from unverified developers
- Turn on Android's developer settings, known as Developer options. Google links its own steps for this from the help page.
- Read Google's warning before you carry on. It says scammers often pose as bank fraud agents, technical support or delivery services and ask you to download fake apps. When in doubt, contact the organisation through a verified helpline or its official website.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap System, then Developer options.
- Turn on Allow apps from unverified developers.
- Follow the instructions. Google says this includes a 24-hour security delay.
- When the delay's over, choose whether to keep this advanced setting on for seven days or indefinitely.
- Install the app. You'll still see a warning for an unverified developer; tap Install anyway to confirm.
The insight here is in why the wait exists. Google describes the process as including security checkpoints and a protective waiting period to keep you safe from coercion scams. In plain terms: if someone on the phone is pressing you to install an app right now, the 24-hour delay is there to break that pressure. If anyone tells you to rush it, that's your answer.
Restricted settings: the second wall after install
Installing the APK isn't the last check. Google says harmful apps may ask you to change settings that put your phone or data at risk, so some settings are restricted when you install an app, and they can't be changed until you allow restricted settings. Some of these steps need Android 13 and up.
Google's position is clear: it doesn't recommend allowing restricted settings unless you trust the app developer, because it gives the app access to sensitive information. It also accepts that legitimate apps may ask. Its example is an app built to support people with disabilities, which may need accessibility settings; with those, an app can read what's on your screen and interact with other apps for you. If you do trust the developer:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the app you want to change. If it isn't listed, tap See all apps or App info first.
- Tap More, then Allow restricted settings.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Four signs an APK is a scam
Google's restricted settings page lists the warning signs, and they're worth knowing before you touch Developer options:
- You were contacted out of nowhere. Unexpected texts and emails, such as a missed delivery or voicemail, should make you suspicious.
- The app insists you change a device setting. Google says real apps usually explain why; harmful ones often don't, or the reason makes no sense.
- It's too good to be true. Promises to speed up your phone, or content you'd normally pay for.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes. Google says legitimate organisations rarely make them.
If you're unsure about an app someone told you to download, Google suggests going to the company's official website, or searching for it on an app store you trust, like Google Play. For a second line of defence, I've rounded up the best antivirus apps for Android, and since most APKs arrive through a browser, it's worth using a good one; my pick of the best browsers for Android is a separate guide.
If the app you want was blocked
Google's advice is simple: if an app was blocked because the developer's identity isn't verified, contact the developer and ask them to complete verification. Developers have their own route to verify and unblock their apps, which Google links from the same page. That's a far safer fix than switching off protections on your phone.
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My verdict on sideloading in 2026
I'd install from verified developers wherever you can, and only use the 24-hour route for an app whose developer you can identify yourself, through their own website. When the delay ends, I'd pick seven days rather than indefinitely, so the protection comes back on its own. And I'd skip any APK that arrived in a message, a pop-up or a phone call, full stop. That's exactly the pattern Google's warnings describe.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I install an APK on my Android phone any more?
Google's Android developer verification requires apps to be registered by verified developers before they can be installed on certified Android devices. If the developer isn't verified, you'll get a notification and the app won't install unless you complete a one-time process in your settings.
How long does it take to allow apps from unverified developers?
Google says the one-time process takes 24 hours to complete. After the security delay, you choose whether to keep the setting on for seven days or indefinitely.
Does developer verification apply to my phone?
Google says it applies to certified Android devices running Android 8 and up. Android Open Source Project and non-certified devices are exempt, as are regions where Google Mobile Services aren't supported and territories under trade sanctions.
What is com.google.android.verifier?
It's the package name of Android Developer Verifier, a Google system service that checks whether an app is registered to a verified developer.
Should I allow restricted settings for an APK?
Only if you trust the app developer. Google says restricted settings give apps access to sensitive information that could put your personal data at risk, and it doesn't recommend allowing them otherwise.
