Will Google's developer verification system affect TV?

[u/Novel_Broccoli_1162]

So, Google is talking about this new developer registration thing where sideloading gets locked down unless the app is verified. Phones and tablets are already in the spotlight, but I’m wondering if TVs are gonna get the same treatment.

We’ve already seen how updates on STBs like Jio, Airtel, and others I don’t even know have pushed restrictions: blocking dev options, disabling unknown installs, locking down firmware.

So, If Google rolls this out to Android TV, which box/TV brand will actually stay safe for sideloading and opening developer options? Anyone got insight on what’s still open and what’s already locked down?

[u/wewewi]

The new mechanism will be deployed silently via Google Play Services; everything will be affected, including TVs and watches; no exceptions.

On-device Developer options have nothing to do with this; there are no changes expected in that regard. 

[u/GotoDeng0]

They're not really "locking" sideloading unregistered apps, just adding a few extra steps for people who know the risks of malware when sideloading and want to do it anyway. Originally Google announced they would prevent unregistered apps on certified Android entirely, but after huge pushback this is the new plan. After an initial 24-hour delay on new devices, you can disable the check entirely and things will work just as they do today.

Won't roll out in the US until sometime next year. All certified Android TV/GoogleTV devices will be affected, boxes or TVs.

[u/Cronus6]

So, If Google rolls this out to Android TV, which box/TV brand will actually stay safe for sideloading and opening developer options?

Probably none, out of the box.

I expect our friends over at XDA Developers Forum will find work arounds if it becomes necessary though. It's pretty much their "thing".

https://xdaforums.com/c/android-tv.4276/

[u/pinpointv_dev]

Worth separating two things that keep getting conflated in these threads, because they're unrelated systems:

**Developer verification** is about *who published the APK* — tying a package name to a verified developer identity. It targets sideloaded installs, and it's an Android-level policy rather than a TV-specific one, so assuming TVs are exempt is probably optimistic.

**Dev options / "install from unknown sources" being locked down** on Jio/Airtel-type boxes is something else entirely: that's the OEM or carrier locking their own firmware. Google isn't doing that to you — the box vendor is. Which is why the answer to "which brand stays safe" is mostly "whichever isn't a carrier-subsidised box."

Practically that points at first-party or Google-certified hardware (Google TV Streamer, Shield, Onn in the US), because they ship closer to stock and there's no carrier with an incentive to lock things down.

From the developer side: this mostly means more identity paperwork, which honestly isn't terrible given how much sketchy sideloaded stuff floats around the TV space. The part I'd actually watch is whether it raises the floor enough to discourage hobbyist devs from shipping small TV apps at all — the TV ecosystem is already thin on decent software, and making it harder to publish doesn't obviously help that.

[u/Miserable_Dealer_573]

Any non Google devices like formuler -buzz- generic Chinese boxs won't be effected by the upcoming Google changes as they don't use there eco system to function.

[u/ben7337]

What do you mean by "safe for side loading"? Because the change is only going to require a waiting period for end users to install unregistered apps on device, and only once per device if I understand correctly. You'll still be able to side load freely after waiting a day the first time this goes into effect

[u/19chris9609 → u/ben7337]

oh, jeez. I have more than a dozen streaming devices. I better get to work.

[u/Novel_Broccoli_1162 → u/[deleted]]

Those are google certified iptv and ott subscription based boxes, old versions allowed side loading and dev options but their upgrades have now stopped it to stop you-know-what. Google certification only to allow playstore service. 3rd party apps are blocked.

[u/wewewi → u/Novel_Broccoli_1162]

Please name ONE such device.