As early as the second quarter of 2024, Google had gradually guided developers to enable two-step verification through developer emails and security announcements.
According to data from the Google Play Console, by the end of 2024, 43% of developers had voluntarily enabled two-step verification, but many accounts still had security risks. This laid the groundwork for the mandatory policy to be introduced in 2025 (add WeChat nowiski to enter the policy discussion group).
This year, Google Play has officially announced that starting from May 12, 2025, it will mandatorily implement the two-step verification policy, which will comprehensively cover the Google Play Developer Console, app release process, financial operations, and other key links. This means that at that time, all developers must pass two-step verification to successfully complete these operations.
For developers targeting overseas markets, the best strategy is to complete the two-step verification configuration for all team members between March and April 2025, to avoid hindering normal business operations after the policy is officially implemented.
Why enforce two-step verification?
Breaking the vulnerability of traditional password mechanisms
Traditional single-factor authentication, relying solely on passwords to confirm user identity, poses significant risks. Brute force attacks, phishing emails, and other malicious methods are rampant, causing many accounts to be hijacked by criminals. For example, a well-known gaming company in 2024, due to vulnerabilities in single-factor authentication, suffered a brute force attack, leading to a massive data breach, severely damaging the company's reputation and facing huge financial compensation. Two-step verification (2SV) technology uses a dual protection mode of passwords combined with dynamic credentials, such as SMS verification codes or dynamic passwords generated in real-time by Google Authenticator. This method significantly increases the difficulty of account hacking and effectively enhances account security.
Global data protection regulations are becoming stricter
With the introduction and strict implementation of global data protection regulations such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation of the EU) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), the responsibilities of developers in data protection are increasingly stringent. These regulations explicitly require developers to take reasonable and effective security measures to protect user data, and developers face high fines if user rights are harmed due to data breaches. At the same time, Google Play policies and Apple App Store privacy terms are showing a trend of coordinated upgrades, and the entire industry is moving towards stricter data protection standards.
Protecting core assets of developers
Account theft can be a devastating blow to overseas business operations. Once a developer's account falls into the hands of criminals, they are likely to delist the app, cut off in-app purchase (IAP) revenue, and more seriously, instantly dissolve users' trust in the app and developer. Two-step verification builds a strong line of defense for IAP transaction security by adding an extra verification step, ensuring that only legitimate developers can perform transaction operations, effectively safeguarding the core assets of developers.
Policy details developers must know
Scope of enforcement and exemptions
This policy applies to all Google Play developer accounts, whether individual or corporate, without exception. However, in specific scenarios involving only API calls or machine verification, developers can submit separate exemption applications. It is important to note that exemption applications must meet specific conditions and undergo a rigorous review process.
Supported two-step verification methods
Mandatory verification scenarios for key operations
Two-step verification is required for high-risk operations such as app update submissions, financial withdrawals, and account permission changes. For scenarios involving multi-location collaborative development, it is recommended to use a main account/sub-account strategy to segment permissions. The main account is responsible for controlling core permissions, such as financial operations and app releases, while sub-accounts are assigned specific operational permissions according to business needs, such as app testing and content updates. This approach not only ensures account security but also enhances team collaboration efficiency.
Practical manual
Basic configuration: 5 steps to strengthen your account
Backend operation location reference
Step 1: Log in to your Google account, find the [Security] option, and then click to enter the [Two-Step Verification] settings page. Here, developers can officially enable two-step verification.
Choosing a two-step verification method
Step 2: Choose the appropriate verification method based on your actual situation. For corporate accounts, due to security level considerations, binding a security key is recommended.
Step 3: Generate 10 backup verification codes and store them securely using encryption. Backup verification codes can be used as an emergency measure when regular verification methods are unavailable, so they must be carefully safeguarded.
Step 4: Specifically configure "app-specific passwords" for third-party tools. This way, third-party tools can avoid using the main account password directly, effectively reducing the risk of password leakage.
Managing trusted devices
Step 5: Set trusted devices reasonably, and it is recommended to only set internal fixed devices, such as company office computers, as trusted devices. This reduces the security risks associated with logging in on unfamiliar devices.
Solutions to common problems
Problem 1: Overseas teams cannot receive SMS verification codes. In this case, switch to using Google Authenticator or a security key for verification. In the early stages, ensure that overseas team members are properly configured with Google Authenticator and that their devices are accurately linked to their accounts.
Problem 2: Recovering account permissions from departing employees. You can force logout their device trust status and promptly change related account passwords to ensure comprehensive account security.
Problem 3: API calls are blocked. You can try applying for a service account exemption or using app-specific passwords. During the operation, strictly follow Google's requirements and submit relevant application materials truthfully to ensure that API calls can proceed normally.
Impact on and recommendations for overseas developers
Short-term challenges
Due to time zone differences, there may be delays when performing two-step verification. For example, the domestic team may be conducting an emergency app update submission operation in the early hours of the morning, while overseas team members may be resting and unable to complete the verification process in time, thereby affecting the progress of business advancement.
Some older automatic build tools may not support new verification methods such as app-specific passwords. This requires interfacing and retrofitting, which may consume a certain amount of time and manpower.
Long-term opportunities
Google Play's recommendation algorithm has always favored apps with better security performance. After implementing two-step verification, the security of developer accounts is significantly enhanced, and the weight of apps in the market is also expected to increase, thereby gaining more exposure opportunities, attracting more users to download and use the apps.
Displaying security certification prominently on the app store page conveys the high security of the app to users intuitively. This helps enhance users' trust in the app, which has a positive effect on increasing user download rates and retention rates.
