Google starts mandatory Android developer verification on 30 September, leaving Iran based developers unable to publish globally

According to a report published on Sunday, 2 August 2026, Google will begin its mandatory Android developer identity verification programme on 30 September 2026 in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, and will roll it out worldwide by 2027. Google's stated aim is to fight fraud and improve the security of the Android operating system.

Under the scheme, Android devices that use Google's official services will block the installation of apps from unverified developers, and developers wishing to publish software, even outside the Google Play store, must provide valid identification and pay a fee. In the frequently asked questions section of its developer website, Google has said that devices in sanctioned countries will be exempt from developer verification checks. A Google spokesperson confirmed to Ars Technica that people living in sanctioned countries will not be allowed to complete the verification process.

The practical effect is that apps from Iranian developers will only install easily on handsets located in sanctioned regions, while users elsewhere will face operating system restrictions when trying to install them. Google has designed a mechanism called Advanced Flow to work around the restriction, involving multiple steps, security warnings and a 24 hour delay. Until now, Iranian developers could host an installation file on a personal website and users anywhere in the world could install it.