Google is planning big changes for Android in 2026 aimed at combating malware across the entire device ecosystem. Starting in September, Google will begin restricting application sideloading with its developer verification program, but not everyone is on board. Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat tells Ars that the company has been listening to feedback, and the result is the newly unveiled advanced flow, which will allow power users to skip app verification. With its new limits on sideloading, Android phones will only install apps that come from verified developers. To verify, devs releasing apps outside of Google Play will have to provide identification, upload a copy of their signing keys, and pay a $25 fee. It all seems rather onerous for people who just want to make apps without Google’s intervention. Apps that come from unverified developers won’t be installable on Android phones—unless you use the new advanced flow, which will be buried in the developer settings. When sideloading apps today, Android phones alert the user to the “unknown sources” toggle in the settings, and there’s a flow to help you turn it on. The verification bypass is different and will not be revealed to users. You have to know where this is and proactively turn it on yourself, and it’s not a quick process. Here are the steps: Enable developer options by tapping the software build number in About Phone seven times In Settings > System, open Developer Options and scroll down to “Allow Unverified Packages.” Flip the toggle and tap to confirm you are not being coerced Enter device unlock code Restart your device Wait 24 hours Return to the unverified packages menu at the end of the security delay Scroll past additional warnings and select either “Allow temporarily” (seven days) or “Allow indefinitely.” Check the box confirming you understand the risks. You can now install unverified packages on the device by tapping the “Install anyway” option in the package manager.