1. Google now requires every developer to pass Android developer verification and register their apps in Play Console - the program launched in March 2026 and over 99% of apps were registered automatically. 2. Check your Play Console Home page now and register any remaining unregistered apps by September 30, 2026 to avoid global removal from Google Play and a broken install experience for users. 3. The requirement also covers apps distributed outside Google Play - register them in Play Console so they can still be installed on certified Android devices. 4. The new verification protections take effect on September 30, 2026, starting with users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. 5. Use the new Android Developer ID Status API to check whether a package name is already registered, and the Android Developer Console API to register and manage package names directly from your CI/CD pipeline. 6. Both APIs support OAuth delegation, so third-party platforms such as alternative app stores can perform registration on your behalf. 7. After the deadline, unregistered apps can only be sideloaded via adb or the advanced installation flow - register before September 30 to keep the seamless install experience on certified devices.