Android One-Tap Sideloading Program Officially Opens [Confirmed]

Google has officially opened developer registration for its Registered App Stores program on Android, enabling third-party marketplaces like the Epic Games Store to deliver seamless one-tap sideloading on devices running Android 17 QPR2 and later starting December 1, following antitrust settlement terms. According to verified reports from Android Authority, third-party distribution hubs can now voluntarily apply to bypass the multi-step security warning prompts that previously hindered mobile installations. The streamlined flow stems from Google's landmark court settlement with Epic Games, designed to lower platform barriers across global handheld hardware. While participation remains optional, marketplaces that skip registration will maintain the legacy friction-heavy installation screens, whereas registered stores gain identical friction-free parity with native Google Play distribution. This structural change reshapes mobile publishing, echoing trends seen in [PUBG Mobile January 2026 Charts: Surge & Top Rise [Confirmed]](/news/pubg-mobile-january-2026-charts-rise) where regional access directly dictates player traffic. Developers can begin technical integration immediately to prepare for the live December rollout across supported Android hardware.