Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
TL;DR Google’s latest app requirement may soon block the sideloading of apps from unregistered developers.
The change could impact readers who rely on sideloaded apps on their Android-based eReaders.
The new requirement will begin rolling out in September 2026.
Google’s latest app requirement claims to protect users, but feels more like a move for greater control. In accordance with the “developer verification requirement,” developers will need to confirm their identities to distribute apps, including outside the Play Store. We’ve covered the change here at Android Authority, and even dug into how it could affect gamers. But eReaders are another corner of the Android ecosystem where this policy may hit harder than expected.
A niche casualty of Google’s security push
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
On phones and tablets, many users may never notice. On some Android-based eReaders, though, the ripple will likely be felt. For years, one of the most compelling perks of these devices was their flexibility. If a Boox or Bigme eReader didn’t ship with your favorite note-taking app, you could sideload it. If a new RSS reader or comic viewer wasn’t in the Play Store, you could still give it a try. This openness kept smaller manufacturers competitive and gave readers the freedom to experiment.
According to Google, the new requirement is part of an effort to keep users safe from scams and malware. Under these rules, only apps signed by verified developers will be installable, even when sideloaded. Malware is far more common in sideloaded apps, and requiring ID checks raises the bar of entry. But the reality is that security doesn’t come free, and, on the consumer side, it costs users flexibility. That means the niche, unsigned APKs that many eReader enthusiasts rely on could be cut off.
What’s more, the rule only applies to Play Protect-certified devices. Most eReaders are certified, but now that compliance may leave eReaders more locked down than uncertified devices, like gaming handhelds, for instance. In short, the change will make it more difficult for readers to explore beyond what’s preloaded.
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