Google has announced new details about an “advanced flow” setting that will make it easier for Android users to install apps from outside the official Play Store. This follows the company’s recent settlement of a lengthy antitrust battle with Epic Games over the Android app ecosystem.
Last year, Google announced a requirement for all Android apps to be registered by verified developers before they could be installed on certified devices. This policy aimed to limit bad actors who distribute malware, conduct financial fraud, or steal personal data through unofficial apps. While these security measures reduce risks, some users want the freedom to install unverified apps and accept the associated responsibility.
The new advanced flow allows users to disable these verification requirements through a deliberate, one-time process. To begin, a user must enable developer mode within Android’s system settings. This initial step is designed to prevent accidental triggers or quick bypasses that scammers often exploit.
Google notes that scammers frequently use high-pressure tactics, creating a false sense of urgency with threats of financial loss or legal trouble. They often guide victims over the phone through the process of disabling security protections. According to a report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance cited by Google, 57% of adults globally experienced a scam in 2025.
After enabling developer mode, the system performs a check to ensure no one is coaching the user. The phone must then be restarted and the user must reauthenticate, which severs any remote access or active call a scammer might be using.
Following a mandatory one-day waiting period, users can confirm the change using biometric authentication like a fingerprint or face unlock, or their device PIN. This cooling-off period is intended to counter the manufactured urgency scammers rely on, giving users time to reconsider.
Once completed, users can install apps from unverified developers outside the Play Store for either seven days or indefinitely. A safety warning will still appear for such apps, but users can bypass it with a tap.
In a related move, Google is now offering free, limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists. These accounts allow sharing an app with up to 20 users without requiring a government ID or a registration fee for verification.
These changes come in the wake of Google’s settlement with Epic Games. As part of that settlement, Google said it would reduce its Play Store commissions to 20% on in-app purchases, with an additional 5% charge if developers use Google’s own billing system.