# @kazani: Google's 2026 developer verification will end F-Droid on Android

Source: https://farcaster.xyz/kazani/0x5037dcd3
Kiwi News: https://news.kiwistand.com/stories/kazani-Googles-2026-developer-verification-will-end-F-Droid-on-Android?index=0x695763712cc405da15bf9e3c0a7cb80f2043cd8bc0b0ad58641e3f733ed92e6433c88048
Submitted by @kazani on 2026-01-02 UTC, 3 upvotes, 0 comments

## Summary

Google's developer verification requirement will stop apps from unverified developers installing on certified Android devices, starting September 2026 in select countries and globally in 2027. Registering requires a $25 fee, a government ID, personal details submitted to Google, and registered signing keys. F-Droid says the requirement will effectively end its project, since it cannot force open source developers to register with Google. Google promises an "advanced flow" for experienced users but has not detailed how it works, and non-certified operating systems such as GrapheneOS are not affected.

## Article

Obtainium just added this warning. 

Google's developer verification mandate means apps from unverified developers won't install on certified Android devices starting September 2026 in select countries, global rollout in 2027.

Requirements: 

$25 fee, government ID, personal details submitted to Google, signing keys registered. 

F-Droid says this will effectively end their project since they can't force open source developers to register with Google.

Google promises an "advanced flow" workaround for experienced users but hasn't detailed how it works. 

Non-certified OSes like GrapheneOS aren't affected.