A New Policy, But No Ban
Google has announced upcoming changes to sideloading on Android, sparking concern across the emulation scene. The good news is that sideloading is not going away. Starting in September 2026, developers distributing apps outside the Play Store will need to verify their identity to keep their apps installable on certified Android devices. For emulator fans, this means the freedom to run their favorite tools will remain, with only minor adjustments for developers.
What is sideloading? Sideloading is the process of installing an app on your Android device from outside the Google Play Store, usually by downloading an APK file directly from a website, a developer’s page, or GitHub. It’s common in the emulation community for apps not listed on the Play Store.
What’s Changing for Emulation
The new policy is about security, not control. Google wants APKs to come from verified sources. Popular emulators like RetroArch, Dolphin, PPSSPP, AetherSX2 forks, and Yaba Sanshiro will simply need to verify their accounts. Once verified, their apps will still sideload without issues.
Impact on Users
For most users, nothing changes. RetroArch, PPSSPP, and Dolphin will continue to work as usual. Experimental or niche emulator forks could face temporary issues if their developers choose not to verify, meaning APKs from those builds might not install on certified devices.
Custom Devices Stay Unaffected
Rooted phones, custom ROMs, and non-certified Android devices, like handhelds built for emulation, won’t be affected. Apps already available in the Play Store are also safe.
The Bottom Line
Emulation is staying on Android. Verified developers mean a number of apps might not be able to run so unverified builds might require extra steps after 2026. The update is designed to improve security, not to shut down the flexibility that makes Android a great platform for retro gaming, I’m confident users will find a way to install unverified apps.
Emulation is definitely my least concern with this.
I can root my handhelds (if they are not rooted out of the box) since I don’t care about banking apps and such on those devices. Heck I don’t even want Android on a handheld tbh (I highly prefer Linux).
This is pretty bad news for daily Android phone usage though, if one is a power user with lots of sideloaded apps and tinkering. Hope this turns out relatively well and doesn’t end in a nightmare.
Honestly, calling this “not a ban” feels like an AI-generated reassurance piece rather than a reflection of what’s really at stake. Sure, Google isn’t flipping a kill-switch on sideloading — but for smaller devs, the new identity-verification hurdle is a serious problem.
A lot of emulator development doesn’t come from big, polished teams like RetroArch or Dolphin. It comes from solo hobbyists, anonymous forks, and experimental builds — the exact sort of projects that thrive in open communities but where developers don’t necessarily want to hand Google their personal ID or expose themselves to legal takedowns.
Saying “they just need to verify” ignores the effect this has. Larger emus will probably be fine, but niche builds and forks may vanish from easy installation on stock devices. That means less experimentation, fewer innovative tweaks, and a smaller ecosystem overall.
And let’s not kid ourselves about perception: when average users read “apps from unverified sources won’t install,” they’ll hear “Google bans sideloading.” That alone could scare people away from emulation unless they stick to mainstream names.
So yes, technically sideloading remains — but glossing over the impact with a safe explainer only tells half the story. For emulation, the reality is that innovation at the margins is what keeps the scene alive, and those margins are exactly where this policy will hit hardest.
I personally don’t think it will be a big deal, people will find a way, many people are click baiting that emulation on android is dead but I personally don’t believe that at all.