Google says that only apps with verified identities will be installable on certified Android devices, which is virtually every Android-based device—if it has Google services on it, it’s a certified device. If you have a non-Google build of Android on your phone, none of this applies. However, that’s a vanishingly small fraction of the Android ecosystem outside of China.
Which does suggest that it applies to everyone, as opposed to being something that only applies to Play Protect.
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What are you talking about a ban on sideloading?
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/08/google-will-block-sideloading-of-unverified-android-apps-starting-next-year/
Ah, so people saw a signing requirement, that may or may not only be part of play protect and immediately called it a sideloading ban.
My plan is to wait and see if it even affects me in any way.
The article has this to say about it:
Which does suggest that it applies to everyone, as opposed to being something that only applies to Play Protect.
Yeah, people are overreacting, but Google taking control here is still a big issue
I don’t have a Google account and i don’t want one. It’s a sideloading ban.
Why would you need a Google account? Are you an app developer?
Yes, that’s why I would need an account.