How to install apps from unverified developers after September 30, 2026
Google’s “advanced flow” lets you keep installing apps from developers who have not registered. It has a mandatory 24-hour waiting period — so start it before you need it.
Enforcement starts in
Open Developer options
Settings → About phone → tap Build number 7 times. Enter your PIN. Developer options now appear under Settings → System.
Enable “Allow apps from unverified developers”
In Developer options, turn on Allow apps from unverified developers. Confirm that nobody is pressuring or coaching you — scammers often call victims and ask them to do exactly this.
Restart and re-authenticate
Restart the phone and unlock it with your PIN or fingerprint when asked.
Wait 24 hours
A one-time 24-hour protective waiting period starts. You cannot skip it. This is why you should start today.
Confirm and choose a duration
After 24 hours, confirm with your fingerprint or PIN and choose to allow unverified installs for 7 days or indefinitely.
Install with “Install anyway”
You will still see a warning that the app is from an unverified developer. Tap Install anyway. You can turn Developer options off again afterwards — useful because some banking apps refuse to run while they are on.
Important: if you later switch off “Allow apps from unverified developers”, updates to unverified apps will fail. Keep it on (or indefinite) if you rely on F-Droid or GitHub apps.
Alternative: ADB. Installing from a computer with adb install app.apk is not blocked and does not need the advanced flow — but updates through a phone-side store still do.
The advanced flow is rolling out gradually via Google Play services. If you do not see the option yet, update Google Play services and Google Play system updates, then check again.