Google adds 24-hour waiting period to Android app sideloading: Here’s what changes

Google has detailed its new “advanced flow” for sideloading apps on Android—and as promised, it is high-friction. Starting August 2026, anyone who wants to install apps from unverified developers will need to go through a one-time, multi-step process that includes a mandatory 24-hour wait before a single APK can touch their device.

The process begins with enabling developer mode—the classic tap-the-build-number-seven-times routine—followed by a prompt asking whether someone is coaching you into disabling your security settings.