After settling the long antitrust battle over the Android app ecosystem earlier this month, Google said Thursday that it will make it easier to install Android apps outside of the Play Store. The company has shared new details about an “advanced streaming” setting that will allow Android device owners to disable a verification requirement that otherwise prevents users from sideloading apps.
The tech giant was announced last year that it would require all Android apps to be registered by verified developers to be installed on certified Android devices. In doing so, the company aimed to limit the ability of bad actors to distribute malware, conduct financial fraud, and steal users’ personal data through apps outside of the Play Store.
Although additional security mechanisms can help reduce these risks, some Android users want the freedom to install unverified apps and accept responsibility if those apps turn out to be insecure.
With the new “advanced flow” setting, users will be able to go through a one-time process to disable these additional protections while helping prevent fraud.
The process begins by enabling developer mode in Android’s system settings, a step designed to prevent any accidental launches or “one-tap” bypasses often used by bad actors in high-pressure scams. Google notes that scammers tend to exploit fear to create a sense of urgency in their victims, using tactics such as threats of financial ruin, legal trouble or harm to a loved one. They also often stay on the phone with the victim and walk them through the process of disabling security protections on their device.
Globally, 57% of adults will experience fraud in 2025, according to a report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), which Google mentions.
After enabling developer mode, there is a quick check designed to ensure that no one is directing the user to disable their security protections. Users will then restart their phone and reauthenticate, a process that cuts off any remote access or active phone calls that a scammer might be using to track what their potential victim is doing.
After a protective one-day waiting period, users will be able to confirm that they are indeed the ones making the change. Since scammers often rely on constructed urgency, this waiting period gives users time to think, Google explains. When the period ends, device owners can use biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or face unlock, or use their device’s PIN to confirm the change.
When the process is complete, Android users will be able to install apps from unverified developers outside the Play Store. Users can choose to enable this for seven days or indefinitely. Google says users will still see a warning that the app is from an unverified developer for security reasons, but users will be able to override that warning with a tap.
The company notes that in addition to this new stream, it also offers free, limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists who want to share apps with a small group of up to 20 users without having to verify their account with a government ID and registration fee.
The changes follow the settlement of a years-long legal dispute between Google and Fortnite developer Epic Games over anti-competitive issues on the Play Store. As a result of the settlement, Google said it will reduce its Play Store commissions to 20% for in-app purchases, with another 5% levied if app developers choose to use Google’s billing system.
