Google is introducing a new Android feature called Advanced Flow to provide a safer way for experienced users to install APK files from developers who aren’t verified.

The new system, planned for release this August, aims to permit the installation of Android apps from unverified sources while decreasing the chance of malware and scams. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) estimates that these scams caused about $442 billion in losses last year.

Advanced users who wish to install APKs on their devices will need to complete a one-time setup, performing a series of steps.

Following that, users can install and enable apps from unverified developers for a week or without limit. Android will warn that the app is from an unverified source.

The process is intended to create obstacles to disrupt common scam practices that deceive people into installing risky apps by creating a sense of urgency.

“This process is only a one-time thing for advanced users and is specifically designed to stop scammers from pressuring people into installing malicious software,” Google states.

“In these situations, scammers use fear tactics, such as threats of financial loss, legal issues, or harm to a family member, to create intense urgency.”

“They stay on the phone with their victims, guiding them to ignore security warnings and disable security settings, preventing them from thinking clearly or seeking advice.”

Google presents Advanced Flow as a secure balance between Android’s openness and protecting users, which is necessary for a smooth transition to the new developer verification system, which was first announced last August.

Developer verification is intended as a measure against malware. It requires all Android app publishers, regardless of how they distribute their apps, to have their identity verified by Google. Otherwise, installing their apps on certified Android devices will be blocked.

Although Google revised the original timeline for implementing the new rule after community pushback, the plan to implement identity verification is still in place.

According to the most recent announcement, it is still expected in August 2026, and app developers are encouraged to visit this webpage for more details.