What you need to know

• A tipster claims that Google is working on a new warning system for the Play Store that would let users know if an app on their phone has left.
• There's nothing concrete yet, but there are assumptions that this could involve devs who've removed their apps willingly or otherwise.
• Recent Play Store reports have highlighted its ability to inform users if a listed app is prone to using up too much phone battery.

In the interest of user security, it's been reported that Google might have new warnings on the way about apps that are no more.

Tipster AssembleDebug was digging through the Play Store's latest version when they reportedly discovered work for a new security-focused warning system (via Android Authority). According to the tipster, Google is seemingly working on alerting users to apps on their devices that are no longer supported or available via the Play Store. There were a few early strings of code in the Play Store app that supposedly reference this.

One string discovered says, "...was removed from Google Play and will no longer receive updates." Another string instance seems to offer more, such as detailing the name of one app, while also informing you of a number (say 2 more) that have also been removed from the store. To that, the tipster states that the Play Store's alerts can "change depending on the number of apps removed."

Of course, this is likely a security move by Google to ensure that Android users remain safe, especially when using an app from the Play Store that's no longer there. The tipster assumes these alerts could be useful when an app is removed for breaching the Play Store's policy. Users will likely be encouraged to remove/uninstall said app, as an app without proper updates can leave it vulnerable.

Staying safe

Google's been taking a closer look at the apps on its Play Store and how it can keep users better informed recently. There was a report in March that said Google started rolling out warnings for excessive battery usage from apps on the store. This was said to be a part of its Excessive Partial Wake Lock threshold. This system analyzes how much battery an app is using, and if it reaches a certain limit, that triggers the warning. Our phone battery is precious, so knowing if an app takes too much is crucial.

We just finished up with all the I/O 2026 hype, and the Play Store took the stage for a little while. Google announced that users will be able to discover apps while using Gemini on Android and the web. What's more, Play Shorts will bring vertical videos to help users find apps they might enjoy before downloading.

What you need to know

• Google Play apps will soon become discoverable directly through Gemini on Android and the web.
• Play Shorts adds TikTok-style vertical videos to help users discover apps before downloading.
• Google is adding AI-powered developer tools for translations, subscriptions, and app publishing.

Google just announced a massive set of updates for Google Play at I/O 2026, and as expected, a lot of them revolve around AI and app discovery.

Google Play apps and games are getting deeper integration with Gemini. Google says apps and games will soon become discoverable directly through the Gemini app on Android and the web, allowing developers to surface their apps to millions of Gemini users.

Later this year, Gemini will also start surfacing apps related to more than 450,000 movies, TV shows, and sports streams, helping users quickly find where specific content is available.

Google already offers an AI-powered feature that lets users ask questions about apps directly from their Play Store listing. The company is now expanding that functionality further into a feature called Ask Play. Instead of typing simple keywords, users will now be able to ask more natural questions and continue the conversation to discover apps and games more easily.

Another major addition is Play Shorts, a new short-form vertical video feed designed to help users discover apps visually. Google says Play Shorts gives users a quick look at an app's interface, functionality, and overall feel before downloading it. The feature is currently rolling out in the U.S. and is limited to select developers for now.

Google is also introducing several new developer-focused tools. One of the biggest additions is a new Gemini-powered Google Play Console experience. Developers will soon be able to localize app listings using structured CSV files or Google Sheets, while Gemini automatically pre-populates translated app listings across multiple languages.

Google is also adding new monetization improvements. One upcoming feature will allow low-risk users to temporarily retain access to subscriptions even after failed payments, while Google retries the transaction in the background rather than immediately cutting off access.

And alongside all of this, Google also announced at I/O that developers can now build Android apps directly through Google AI Studio using text prompts.

What you need to know

• Google AI Studio can now build native Android apps directly from simple text prompts in the browser.
• Apps are built using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose with support for GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC.
• Google now lets users preview Android apps instantly using an embedded Android Emulator.

Google is making Android app development much more accessible, as starting today, users can now build full native Android apps directly from text prompts inside Google AI Studio.

Google says the feature is aimed at both experienced developers who want to prototype apps faster and beginners building their first Android app. According to the company, the generated apps are proper native Android apps built using Kotlin, which means they can be installed on devices and shared with others like any normal Android app.

Since these apps are built using Jetpack Compose and Kotlin, they also support things like offline functionality, background services, and deeper hardware integrations such as GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC.

One of the biggest highlights of today's announcement is that the entire workflow happens directly inside the browser. Google AI Studio now includes an embedded Android Emulator that lets users preview and interact with their apps while they're being generated.

Google is also simplifying testing. If you have a Google Play Developer account, you can now publish your app directly from AI Studio for testing. Google says the platform will automatically create the app listing, package the app bundle, and upload it directly to an internal testing track inside the Play Developer Console.

And if you want to move beyond AI Studio later, Google says projects can also be exported as ZIP files, pushed directly to GitHub, or opened in Android Studio for more advanced development workflows.

For now, Google says the initial release is mainly focused on simpler app experiences like utilities, social apps, and Gemini-powered tools, although the company also confirmed that Firebase integrations and easier Play Store publishing features are coming soon.

Google even showcased a few example apps built using the platform, including a harmonium app for the Pixel Fold that reacts to hinge angles and gestures, as well as a Gemini-powered guitar practice companion app with YouTube integration.

Android Central's Take

This looks pretty fun. Nothing debuted something similar earlier this year, but Google's solution feels much bigger. It really feels like we're moving beyond simple AI prompts into actually building useful apps from them.

As powerful and feature-laden as modern-day smartphones are, the one thing that I absolutely despise about them is their physical footprint. Granted, design "improvements" like taller displays and thinner bezels have allowed manufacturers to make devices with absolutely incredible screen-to-body ratios, but the fact remains that the majority of the best Android phones are downright impossible to use with one hand, even more so due to the continued increase in their overall heft.

Having crisp AMOLED panels and selfie cameras with 4K video recording doesn't mean much if you have to resort to hand gymnastics every time you want to use your shiny new smartphone.

Yes, a flip-style foldable phone can somewhat solve this problem, but only if you use its cover display exclusively, since the folding screen on most of these devices is usually the same size (if not larger) as the panel on a slab-style smartphone. Moreover, buying a funky flip phone and then not using its standout feature doesn't make any sense at all.

Until a few days ago, I'd been using my phone as most of us do, adjusting the grip every few seconds to interact with on-screen elements. However, I recently came across an app called Quick Cursor, and it has made all those taps and swipes feel a lot less cumbersome.

What exactly is Quick Cursor, and how does it work?

Quick Cursor is available on the Google Play Store and does exactly what it says on the tin. The app is designed to make one-handed use easier and works by overlaying a floating cursor on the phone's display. You can invoke the cursor by swiping inwards from the lower half of the screen, and then use it to interact with UI elements on the upper half of the display. This allows you to easily reach UI elements without stretching your thumb all the way to the top of the screen.

The cursor is moved around using a tracker, which turns the smartphone's touchscreen into a virtual trackpad. The tracker supports both tap and swipe actions, which simulate the actual touch gestures that we use on our smartphones.

How to set up and configure Quick Cursor

Getting started with Quick Cursor is fairly simple. Once you install it, you'll be presented with a quick setup to allow it access to Android's accessibility service. Just follow the steps to complete the initial configuration.

Once the setup is done, you're ready to go. Simply swipe inwards from the left or right edge of the bottom half of the phone's screen, and you'll see a floating circular cursor and a tracker on the display. Swipe the tracker to position the cursor on the UI element that you want to interact with, and tap the tracker to execute the tap or swipe action.

Note: Moving the cursor to the top edge of the display automatically pulls down the quick settings/notification panel by default.

You can open the app anytime to adjust its settings. Quick Cursor uses the freemium model, which means that the basic functionality of the app is free, and there are no ads. However, if you want more features, you can either pay for an annual subscription or opt for a one-time purchase.

Doing so unlocks a multitude of options, such as custom double-tap/long-tap/second-tap (while holding the tracker) actions, the ability to back up and restore settings, and more. You can also blacklist/whitelist apps so that Quick Cursor only works with the apps of your choice.

Why do I like Quick Cursor more than Android's one-handed mode?

You might be familiar with the 'One-handed mode' feature that Android has had for quite a while now. It works by pulling down the UI elements on the top half of the display, thus making them easier to access. Sure, it works as intended, and you don't have to install an extra app, but I find it clunky. Moreover, if you're doing something that requires you to repeatedly interact with UI elements on the upper half of the screen, the switching between a half-screen and a full-screen display can be quite jarring.

Conversely, I believe Quick Cursor does a better job of accessing difficult-to-reach UI elements. It's among the very few apps that let you interact with the top half of your smartphone's display without stretching your thumb or adjusting your grip. It does take some time getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, things get quite easier.

Using your smartphone doesn't have to be a chore

Even though devices like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL are some of the best examples of the numerous advancements in mobile technology, they're far too unwieldy to use comfortably. And with the rising popularity of foldable phones, screen sizes are only going to get bigger.

This is where apps like Quick Cursor can help. Sure, it's not a replacement (and will never be) for a sensibly sized smartphone, but I think it does make using the colossal phablets that we have today a bit easier. You can consider giving it a try and see how it works out for you.

What you need to know

• Google states that the Play Store will display a warning for apps that may excessively drain your device's battery.
• This is a part of its Excessive Partial Wake Lock threshold, which analyzes how much background use an app is pulling and warns users if it's far too much.
• The Google Play Store also warns users about apps that might be riddled with problems, using reports and issues experienced by devices similar to yours.

Power efficiency is a major concern in our everyday phones, which is why Google is raising awareness about apps that might not feel the same.

To get a handle on this, 9to5Google reports the Google Play Store has started rolling out warnings for apps that may drain your battery excessively. These warnings are bold, featuring a pale red hue that says, "This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity." The "background activity" portion of this warning is where Google wants developers to pay attention. The publication spotted an Android Developers blog post that goes into more detail about this Play Store addition.

Google states this warning is a part of its new "Excessive Partial Wake Lock" threshold for Android devices. If a developer's app is within an acceptable or "good" threshold, then users won't see a warning (which is what we all want). However, if an app is deemed to have exceeded its background presence limit, Google's Excessive Partial Wake Lock takes effect.

According to Google, "bad behavior" in this threshold is defined by whether or not an app has held "a non-exempted partial wake lock for at least two hours on average while the screen is off in more than 5% of user sessions in the past 28 days."

The company says that while wake locks are "sometimes necessary," there are apps that conduct this behavior inefficiently. Google's looking to put a stop to that by bringing that to the developer's attention—but the user is first, as they can steer clear to avoid popping their phone on its charger more often. Google states these warnings on the Play Store have started rolling out since March 1.

Helpful warnings

Google first announced the development of these warnings last fall, as a way to help users keep their precious battery power longer. It was stated that Google worked with Samsung to develop the metric for this threshold, which combines real-world device data and insights to ensure its accuracy is as high as possible.

Helping users avoid excessive battery drain is just one aspect that the Play Store works to keep us from. Google also rolled out a Play Store update that warns users about apps riddled with problems. The company uses data from other devices similar to yours as a reference. If others have experienced extreme crashes, freezes, and other issues, that will negatively affect the Play Store's perception of the product. Google will inform users about this, letting them decide if they should install or not.

Android Central's Take

We mentioned something important in our previous coverage of Google's work to develop its Excessive Partial Wake Lock: waking up to a phone with a much lower battery percentage never feels good. There are times when I've charged my phone, gone to bed—or even gone to complete some housework—and its eight, ten percent lower. Strange, right? I wasn't using it. My phone was sitting idle. Excessive background use is the main culprit here, and I can appreciate Google realizing this and encouraging devs to get their apps together.

What you need to know

• Google is offering a $250 Pixel 10 Pro discount that brings the price down to $749 on the Google Store.
• Select Play Points members get an extra $200 off, letting some users buy the Pixel 10 Pro for $549.
• Users can check eligibility in the Play Store Perks tab, with the promo running until December 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

If you've been thinking about getting a Google Pixel 10 Pro, right now could be the best time since Google is offering some serious discounts alongside a new promo for Google Play Points members that can be stacked on top of the ongoing store discounts.

Currently, Google Store is running a deal for the Pixel 10 Pro where you can get the device for $250 off its normal retail price of $999. This means that without any other offers, Google is selling the Pixel 10 Pro for $749.

However, as spotted by 9to5Google, Google is also offering some Google Play Points members an extra $200 off the Pixel 10 Pro that can be used in conjunction with the $250 discount.

This means you can get the Pixel 10 Pro for just $549 by combining both discounts. That's a massive $450 drop from the normal launch pricing of the Pixel 10 Pro. Similarly, the Pixel 10 Pro XL can be picked up for as low as $699 after stacking both offers.

It's worth noting that these prices are for the base models of both devices. Another thing worth keeping in mind is that you can also trade in your smartphone on top of these discounts, lowering the price of your purchase even further.

It's also worth noting that this offer appears to be limited to certain Play Points users. Based on reports from Reddit, the extra discount seems to be available only to Gold tier status members.

This might be the best Pixel 10 Pro deal we've seen

That said, you can quickly check if you're eligible by opening Google Play on your smartphone and heading to the Perks tab to see if the offer is available for you. If you're seeing the card for "Special offer from Google and "Get $200 off select Pixel phones" then you're eligible for the extra discount.

If it is, simply tap Claim first and then Redeem to be taken to Google Store to choose your preferred model.

The offer is live right now, and according to the terms and conditions, it ends on December 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. So if you're looking to grab a Pixel 10 Pro, right now might be the best time ever.

What you need to know

• Google has removed the option to uninstall system app updates directly from Play Store listings.
• The change affects many devices and app types, including hidden system apps.
• Users can still uninstall system app updates, but only through the app's settings menu on their device.

Google is rolling out an update for the Play Store that takes away its ability to easily uninstall app updates for system apps.

One of the best parts about Android is that, unlike iOS, manufacturers, such as Google and Samsung, can send out updates for their system apps, such as Phone, Messages, Samsung Internet, and more, without pushing a full software update. However, as with every piece of software, these updates are not always perfect.

Some system app updates contain issues as well, and many of us have had to roll back to a previous version of an app to continue using it as it worked before the update. One of the easiest ways to do that until now was to go directly to the Play Store listing for that system app and tap the Uninstall updates button.

And while this option was convenient since you didn't need to dig into any settings, it seems like it's going away.

Rolling back system apps now needs extra steps

As reported by Android Authority, the button to uninstall updates for system apps in the Google Play Store is now gone. The change appears to be widespread and is already rolling out to all devices, and it isn't tied to any specific Play Store version. For me, the option is also gone on my Google Pixel 10 Pro running Play Store version 49.1.33-31.

While the Play Store listing previously showed an Uninstall button for these system apps, the option is now gone entirely, leaving a blank white space where the button used to be. Moreover, as the report suggests, apps that don't show up in the app drawer, such as Android Auto and Android System WebView, are also affected by this change.

We don't yet know why Google is doing this, and there doesn't seem to be a clear reason behind the change for now. However, the option disappearing from the Play Store doesn't mean you can no longer downgrade or uninstall system app updates.

You can still uninstall system app updates by going to the app's settings, tapping the three-dot menu, and selecting Uninstall updates. It's just that the option has now been removed from the Play Store.

What you need to know

• Epic Games' battle royale, Fortnite, has returned to the Google Play Store after pulling it during its antitrust case against the latter.
• Epic's founder and CEO, Tim Sweeney, announced its return via X this afternoon (Dec 11), as well as the official Fortnite account.
• Epic v Google was an antitrust case over the anticompetitive practices of the Play Store since 2020, which finally saw the former achieve victory back in August.

Where we droppin'? It's a phrase Android users have missed out on with Fortnite's Play Store disappearance, but that ends today.

It's been a long road, and Android fans of Epic Games' Fortnite can drop in again, as the battle royale returns to the Play Store (via 9to5Google). This afternoon (Dec 11), Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite has officially returned to Android users via the Play Store for the U.S. Sweeney's post adds that the game will remain available through the Epic Games store on Android worldwide, as well.

The post adds, "Thanks to Google for all of their awesome support; this is the beginning of a new, open world of mobile gaming!"

Even the Fortnite X account got involved, highlighting the newest season beginning today, O.G. Chapter 1 Season 7. Its post reads, "So many reasons to drop in this month... and now we're on Google Play in the U.S. too!" The post then reiterates Fortnite's availability on the Apple Store, from which it was also removed during Epic's court battles. Fortnite returned to iPhones earlier this year, and now Android phones are getting their turn.

Sweeney mentions that, since Fortnite's return to the Apple Store, it's jumped into second place under "most downloaded U.S. iOS game" for 2025. This speaks volumes to users' enjoyment of the game, especially on another platform.

Victory Royale

Epic's battles with Google began back in 2020 when it kicked off an antitrust case against the latter over its Play Store practices. Since then, key figures, such as Judge James Donato, have ruled in favor of Epic Games as it sought to bring change to how Google operates its app store. In 2024, Judge Donato issued an injunction to make sweeping changes across the Play Store.

It was found that Google was guilty of illegally monopolizing "Android app distribution" and "in-app billing." What we're seeing now is the result of a "total victory," according to Sweeney, that Epic achieved in August, which enabled it to bring its game store to Google's app space. The Epic Store on Android was previously the only way users could play Fortnite, though it was a side-loading process that Epic said others made difficult.

Now, with Fortnite's return on the Play Store menu, Android users can have a much easier time getting back on the battle bus.

What you need to know

• There's an update on the Google Play Store settlement, which will put roughly $700 million in the pockets of affected users.
• Each user will get at least $2 automatically in their PayPal or Venmo accounts.
• If you spent money on the Google Play Store between Aug. 16, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2023 while living in the U.S. or some districts and territories, you're eligible for the payments.

Google found itself facing considerable antitrust scrutiny a several years ago, and multiple lawsuits against the company are now nearing a resolution. One such case, filed by the attorneys general in all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, accused Google of monopolizing app distribution and in-app billing methods.

Google settled the case in 2023 and denied any wrongdoing, but now, there's new information about when settlement payments will go out to users — and how much they'll get. The official settlement website confirms that payments from the $700 million fund will go out automatically to affected users via PayPal or Venmo.

You're eligible to receive money from the settlement if you bought an app from the Google Play Store, or made an in-app purchase using Google Play Billing, between Aug. 16, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2023. Users need to have an account located in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands to be a part of the settlement. That's quite a large scope, and most Google Play Store users active during that timeframe will likely be eligible for settlement payments.

According to settlement documents, the minimum settlement payments will be at least $2 each (via ZDNet). You could receive a higher amount depending on how much you spent on the Google Play Store between 2016 and 2023. Crucially, most payments will go out automatically. There's no need to file a claim or take any action — you'll get an email or text with the address or number associated with your Google Play account when the payments are ready.

When will affected Play Store users get their cash?

The settlement details also outline when you'll start receiving money. There are a few key dates to remember: Feb. 19, 2026 is the exclusion and objection deadline, while April 30, 2026 is the fairness hearing. You may want to exclude yourself or object to the settlement if you want to forfeit your settlement and keep your right to sue Google over these claims individually.

The fairness hearing is where a judge will consider whether to approve the settlement. If approved, the payments would begin going out automatically shortly after the hearing on April 30, 2026. So, in about five months, you might get a few bucks from this Google Play Store settlement in your PayPal or Venmo account.

What you need to know

• Google Play Store announces its yearly "Best Of" winners, which sees Focus Friend by Hank Green for Best Overall app and Pokémon TCG Pocket for Best Game.
• Best Multi-device app goes to Luminar and Disney Speedstorm, which takes the best game for the same multi-device category.
• Google highlights its many updates this year for the Play Store, some of which have aimed to improve the gaming experience for users.

It's that time of year again; Google Play has officially announced its "Best Of" winners for 2025, and there's a little something for everyone.

Earlier this morning (Nov 18), Google posted the results for its Best Of for 2025, a list of winners based on user interactions all year long. While the company highlights updates made to the Play Store this year for "boosted rewards, a unified gaming experience," and more, it's the winners that are taking center stage. Leading off the winners this year is the "Best overall app and game" category.

Google announced that the winners for this category are Focus Friend by Hank Green (Best Overall app) and Pokémon TCG Pocket for Best Game. The former aims to help users remain focused and in the present, especially in a time when our digital lives blend with reality. Pokémon TCG Pocket brings the joys of collecting and ripping open card packs to phones in a way that's colorful and exciting. Moreover, users can trade with friends and engage in action-packed card battles against the CPU or others in Ranked competitive play.

"Best Multi-device app and game" is up next, and Google Play states the winners for this are Luminar and Disney Speedstorm, respectively. Luminar brings an assortment of AI tools for photographers looking to spruce up their images, no matter which device they decide to pick up. Disney Speedstorm includes all your favorite characters, but placed in wickedly fast cars around a race course.

The remainder of the Best of Google Play 2025 announcements are as follows:

Best Apps of 2025

• Best for Fun: Edits, an Instagram app
• Best for Personal Growth: Focus Friend by Hank Green
• Best Everyday Essential: Wiser - 15 Minute Audio Books
• Best Hidden Gem: Pingo AI Language Learning
• Best for Families: ABCmouse 2: Kids Learning Game
• Best for Watches: SleepisolBio: sleep, alarm
• Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes: Notes, docs, PDF
• Best for Cars: SoundCloud: The Music You Love
• Best for XR Headsets: Calm - Sleep, Meditate, Relax

Best Games of 2025

• Best Multiplayer: Dunk City Dynasty
• Best Pick Up & Play: Candy Crush Solitaire
• Best Indie: Chants of Sennaar
• Best Story: Disco Elysium
• Best Ongoing: Wuthering Waves
• Best on Play Pass: DREDGE
• Best for Google Play Games on PC: Odin: Valhalla Rising

You can check out the official post for more information about the Best Of winners, and the developers' takes on why they created the apps they did. Moreover, for those even more curious about apps from other countries, Google states there are Best Of results for local winners from Japan, Korea, Indonesia, India, and Taiwan.

What you need to know

• Google is apparently adding a new “XR headset” chip that shows headset-specific screenshots, reviews, and app details in the Play Store.
• A dedicated XR section now appears under the Apps and Games tabs, making mixed-reality and VR apps much easier to find.
• The update is timed perfectly to support the impending launch of major devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR headset.

Google is introducing a major XR upgrade for the Play Store that will change how Android users find apps for their mixed reality headsets.

The folks at Android Authority have spotted a new “XR headset” chip alongside the usual phone, tablet, Chromebook, and TV compatibility chips you see on Play Store app listings. When you tap this chip, the Play Store apparently displays screenshots, reviews, and details specific to the immersive format, giving you a preview of exactly how an app behaves when you strap on a headset.

This update also extends to the browsing experience: under both the Apps and Games tabs, the “Other devices” filter now includes a dedicated XR headset section, making it easier to discover apps designed for mixed reality and VR environments.

This change comes at the right time, as Android is moving into XR hardware. Google and Samsung’s new Galaxy XR headset is a key part of that push, and Google is trying to avoid a situation where the hardware launches before the content ecosystem is ready. With Google organizing the Play Store around XR, consumers won’t have to hunt for compatible apps one by one.

Ecosystem expansion

Google's ambitions stretch well past a single partner. Google’s clearly making sure Android apps work smoothly across the wider XR landscape. You can see that in platforms like Valve’s Steam Frame VR, which is expected to run Android apps and is speeding up XR content support with its own developer kit program. So, improving the Play Store’s XR features now helps Android stay important as more companies join the mixed-reality market.

From the user's perspective, this simplifies everything. If you’re considering buying an Android-powered headset, or already planning to pick up the Galaxy XR when it hits store shelves, the Play Store’s new layout makes it clear which apps are built for immersive use. The revamp gives you a cleaner preview experience, better context from other XR users, and an easier way to browse apps designed specifically for spatial environments.

For Google, this is a smart first step. Building the content structure early makes things easier for both developers and users later on, so Android will have a strong ecosystem ready before XR hardware becomes mainstream.

What you need to know

• Google Play now shows a Where to watch card that lists apps where a movie or show is available to stream.
• Users can search a title and instantly see streaming, rental, or purchase options along with install prompts.
• The feature highlights the apps a title is available on, but does not display prices or ratings.

Google Play Store is rolling out a handy feature where searching for a movie or TV show will directly point you to the app or service where that title is streaming.

As detailed by Google in a blog post, you will just need to open the Search tab and look up the movie or TV show you want, and Google Play will show a list of apps where you can stream, rent, or buy it.

Google will soon start showing a new "Where to watch" card in Play Store results that lists the apps and services offering that title.

In the example Google shared, searching for "The Last of Us" displays a Where to watch card with the show's teaser image and apps like HBO Max, YouTube TV, and Prime Video. Google Play will also give you the option to install any apps you don't already have.

Search results now include a simple where-to-watch list

Google does not display the rental price, purchase cost, or subscription fee needed to view the title on the Where to watch card, even though that information would be useful. It also omits IMDb ratings and a direct YouTube link, both of which could have been useful additions for viewers.

This feels slightly limited because Google Search already shows where you can stream a title when you search for it, yet this information has not been available in the Play Store. In typical Play Store fashion, though, the feature seems more aimed at improving app discovery.

Nonetheless, it is a feature that could be useful for some users as a simple alternative to services like JustWatch or Letterboxd. Google says the feature is already rolling out, although I have not seen it live on my OnePlus 15 yet. Since Google has officially announced it, it should begin appearing on devices soon.

What you need to know

• Google is said to be testing a new “Search reviews” feature in the Play Store, allowing users to look up specific keywords inside app reviews.
• Instead of sifting through random or generic reviews, users might soon be able to pinpoint feedback on specific topics.
• The feature isn’t live yet, and there’s no confirmed rollout date, but it's safe to assume it might debut gradually in select regions before a broader release.

Google might finally make browsing reviews of Play Store apps a whole lot easier, if a new report is any indication.

As spotted by the folks at Android Authority, a new “Search reviews” string has appeared in the Play Store's latest version (48.7.17-31), suggesting that Google might soon introduce a long-overdue feature allowing users look up specific topics within app reviews.

If this change makes it to a public rollout, you’ll be able to search for exact terms to find user feedback relevant to what you're trying to figure out, instead of scrolling or relying on broad filters like “critical” or “positive."

Code spotted in the Play Store app has also surfaced a new flag called AllReviewsPage__enable_search_bar. Although it’s not live yet, this seems like a practical upgrade to the way users make use of reviews. Rather than sorting through random feedback, you could narrow down on what's important, like performance on your phone or offline features.

Currently, the Play Store only lets you sort reviews by star ratings or a few general categories. This setup often leads to long hours of scrolling through many unrelated posts.

It's a game-changer for decision making

The search feature could save users a lot of time and frustration. For example, if you're looking for the best photo editing apps on the Play Store but couldn't decide which one to download, you could type certain topics like “offline” in the search field to see if others confirm it works without internet.

That said, it remains unclear when or if this capability becomes public. It’s possible this feature could show up first for select users or regions as part of a staged release, which is standard for Play Store updates.

It’s also not clear how advanced the search will be. We don’t know if it will scan reviews in different languages or offer advanced filters. As noted by Android Authority, the interface hasn’t shown up yet, so it’s currently unknown where we'll potentially see the search bar.

While the Play Store’s review system is a great source of actual feedback, some users may find it hard to use in its present state. This might change with a search tool, so users can find useful answers, like whether a game works on their device.

What you need to know

• Play Store users can now buy and send gift cards not just for Play credits but also for major brands like Starbucks, Disney, Adidas, AMC, and Athleta.
• The feature is live in the U.S., UK, and Mexico, accessible under your Play profile via Gift Cards or by searching “gift cards” in the app.
• However, cards can’t be redeemed outside their country of purchase, resold, or used for business or to buy other cards.

Google Play is quietly rolling out a full-fledged digital gift card shop that lets users buy and send not just Google Play credits, but also cards from major brands like Starbucks, Disney, Adidas, AMC, and Athleta.

As spotted by Droid Life, the new feature is now live in select countries, including the U.S., UK, and Mexico. You can find it by tapping your profile icon > Gift Cards, or by simply searching for “gift cards” in the app. From there, users can browse through available brands, select an amount, personalize the message, and send the card straight to someone’s email address or phone number.

According to Google's support page, most cards are delivered within an hour, though in some cases it can take up to 24 hours.

The move makes the Play Store a more flexible digital gifting hub. While users have long been able to buy Google Play balance cards, this new rollout adds third-party brand cards to the mix, meaning you can send a Starbucks or Disney gift card as easily as topping up your Play Store credits.

Strict regional and usage limits apply

However, the feature comes with clear boundaries. For one, gift cards can’t be used across countries. So, a U.S.-bought card, for instance, won’t work if you try to redeem it in another region. Likewise, Google strictly prohibits reselling, trading, or converting gift cards to cash.

Also, these cards can’t be used to buy other gift cards or for business purposes. These limitations are in place to prevent misuse and fraud.

When it comes to buying, Google outlines some key details on its official support page. Digital gift cards can be purchased directly from the Play Store, but users can’t use their existing Play balance or Play Points to pay for them, and buying them doesn’t earn you extra Play Points either.

Each country also has its own purchase limit of around $250 per day in the U.S., £250 in the U.K., and roughly MXN $5,000 in Mexico. If you receive a digital card, you can redeem it by following the link sent to you via email or SMS. Cards from outside Google Play (such as Starbucks or Adidas) must be redeemed according to each brand’s specific instructions.

Google is also reminding users to stay alert to gift card scams, a common problem in which bad actors pose as legitimate companies or individuals and request payment via gift cards.

The company stresses one simple rule: if someone asks you to pay them with a Google Play gift card, it’s a scam. Google doesn’t ask for gift cards as payment for any product or service, and users are advised never to share their redemption codes with anyone.

What you need to know

• Google and Epic are proposing a joint settlement that would resolve over five years of legal battles.
• The two companies' submitted the joint filing Tuesday, Nov. 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
• The agreement requires court approval, but would bring sweeping changes to how Google operates the Play Store and distributes apps on Android.

Google and Epic are jointly proposing a settlement that would resolve their legal battles regarding Play Store rules and transaction fees, as reported by Reuters. The two companies submitted the filing to U.S. District Judge James Donato, who oversaw a jury trial that ruled in favor of Epic in 2023. It requires Donato's court approval before taking effect.

If approved, the proposal would prevent Google from entering some exclusivity deals with developers, sharing revenue with competitors, or making agreements with OEMs and carriers regarding pre-installed app stores. The settlement also requires Google to adjust Android to make it easier for users to install third-party "Registered App Stores." This updated process would make the installation flow for these app stores simpler, reducing user friction.

Google and Epic have agreed on "neutral criteria" for the registration of third-party app stores, and tell the court the Registered App Stores policy would last until 2032. Donato's original injunction required a different solution for three years, but the two companies say the longer term is beneficial for consumers.

Google will still be allowed to charge transaction fees on the Play Store, but the proposal would limit fees to either 9% or 20%, depending on the transaction.

Donato already issued a permanent injunction requiring Play Store changes following Epic's victory in this lawsuit. This proposal from Epic and Google aims to modify the injunction, and the filing states that the original injunction includes language that states "Google or Epic may request a modification of the injunction for good cause."

For the proposal to be finalized, the court will have to approve it, and it would have to agree to not condition the preliminary approval of the Utah v. Google LLC settlement.

What Google and Epic are saying about the proposed settlement

Executives from Google and Epic took to X (formerly Twitter) to comment on the joint proposal, with leadership on both sides showing enthusiasm about the agreement.

"Together with Epic Games we have filed a proposed set of changes to Android and Google Play that focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition all while keeping users safe," wrote Sameer Samat, who is Google's president of the Android ecosystem. "If approved, this would resolve our litigations."

Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney said that the proposed settlement "genuinely doubles down on Android's original vision as an open platform." He also called out Apple, which Epic has also engaged in litigation with over app distribution rules.

The next step for Epic and Google will be to discuss the proposed settlement with Judge Donato in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. You can read the full filing here (via Reuters).

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out AI-generated review summaries on the Play Store, condensing app feedback into one quick paragraph that highlights the most common pros and cons.
• Google’s AI pulls both praise and complaints—like smooth design but occasional crashes—into a clear, unbiased summary.
• Topic buttons in the form of chips under the summary let users view reviews about performance, design, or stability.

If you're tired of scrolling through hundreds of user comments on the Play Store just to figure out if an app is a gem or a piece of trash, Google is finally rolling out a solution that should have been here ages ago. The app marketplace is surfacing AI-powered summaries for app reviews.

Now, instead of scrolling through lots of five-star praise or unclear one-star complaints, users will see a short paragraph under a new section called “Users are saying,” as discovered by Android Authority. This feature highlights the main pros and cons from app reviews, combining feedback from different ratings into a single summary.

The summaries appear beneath the "Ratings and reviews" section on select app pages and are powered by Google’s in-house AI models. They’re designed to capture both praise and criticism — for instance, pointing out that users love an app’s interface but have reported frequent crashes or slow performance.

Below the summary, you may see small buttons that let you filter reviews by topics like performance, design, or stability.

Gradual rollout underway

Android Authority reports that this feature is currently available to some users with Play Store version 48.5.23-31, which suggests it is being rolled out gradually. For now, only a few apps have this feature, so not everyone will see it yet.

This rollout is another sign of Google’s bigger AI push across its platforms. After bringing AI summaries to Google Docs, Gmail, and Search, among others, the Play Store is the latest stop in Google’s mission to make information easier to digest.

The company hopes to help users make faster, more informed download decisions without wading through repetitive feedback. That’s especially useful for popular apps with tens of thousands of reviews, where manually browsing can feel like a chore. So, while Google’s AI won’t tell you what to download, it’ll make sure you get there faster and a little less frustrated.

Still, there are a few caveats. These AI summaries only appear for apps that have enough review data for the system to analyze, meaning smaller or newer apps might be left out for now. And because the summaries are machine-generated, they could occasionally miss context or misrepresent niche opinions as common trends.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out age verification on the Play Store, requiring users to prove they're 18+.
• Users can verify their age using ID, selfie, credit card, or a third-party service.
• Some users are concerned about data privacy and reports of being locked out after verification.

Google has recently been using AI to ask users for age verification across several of its services, and now the company has reportedly started rolling out the age verification tool for the Google Play Store, requiring users to prove that they're 18 or older.

Just a couple of months after YouTube began asking users to verify their age, it appears Google is now implementing the same for the Play Store. As spotted by Artem Russakovskii on X, Google has started rolling out age verification checks for the Play Store.

According to Russakovskii, Google Play won't let you download "many apps" until you verify your age. To do so, Google is offering multiple methods, including uploading an ID, taking a selfie, using a credit card, or verifying through a third-party service called verifymy.io.

It appears that the rollout has just begun and is still expanding to users. It's unclear where the checks will be enforced first, but it appears the feature will soon arrive in the U.S. You can manually verify your age using a provided link without waiting for Google to prompt you. However, not all verification methods are available in every region.

You might soon need to prove you're 18 on Play Store

As for why Google is implementing these checks, it's largely to comply with newly passed regulations in several U.S. states, including Texas, Utah, and Louisiana, that require app stores to verify users' ages before allowing them to download age-sensitive apps. Similar regulations are also set to come into effect in Texas and California.

While the move aims to protect minors from inappropriate content, many users on Reddit and X have expressed concerns about sharing their personal data with Google and the potential for leaks or misuse. There have also been reports of some users being locked out of Google Search for failing the verification check, raising further privacy worries.

What you need to know

• Generative AI will redefine how apps work together on smartphones.
• Strategic partnerships between AI platforms and service providers will emerge over the next five years.
• Businesses leveraging AI effectively will thrive while resisting companies face challenges.

As tech companies continue to experiment with generative AI, they will also explore additional ways to integrate it into their future devices. This means that AI will become the primary feature on a phone, pulling information from apps to give users a more intuitive and personalized experience.

Much like how you can ask Gemini to summarize the recent emails from your manager about the 'Q4 marketing campaign' and add a task to your to-do list to draft a follow-up presentation for next week, Gemini will pretty much accomplish these tasks without much of your intervention. But this is still Gemini interacting with Google's apps. Now imagine if it could do the same with the rest of the apps on your phone?

In the future, AI will essentially function as the brain of your phone, with apps serving as its neurons, all working together to help you accomplish tasks. For instance, you could say, "Hey Google, could you plan my dinner for tonight, send me a shopping list of ingredients, and then book an Uber for 5 pm so I can get supplies right after my Pilates class?" and then simply observe as everything falls into place.

IDC experts told Android Central in an exclusive report that the existing App ecosystem will be forced to adapt. But if these models do change, how will AI determine which specific app to use for a given task? For example, if apps like Expedia or Airbnb are not installed, will the AI prioritize an app based on user history, performance, or a paid partnership? Here's what could likely happen.

"Strategic partnerships between service providers, phone makers, and AI platforms are likely to be formed, and we can expect this kind of integration to become more common over the next five years as AI matures and becomes ubiquitous across devices," IDC notes.

App developers and companies may not like the idea of losing autonomy over their products. "Many will resist handing over control to AI platforms, fearing the loss of direct engagement and brand identity, and will try to maintain their own ecosystems and monetization strategies over the next few years," the firm added.

Ultimately, businesses that effectively use AI will thrive because people these days want things to happen quickly and on the go. And those who resist this change might be caught in an uphill battle. This switch in the overall business model could also let AI act as a filter, and could potentially change the need for users to interact with these apps directly.

What you need to know

• Pixel 10 users are facing widespread app crashes after the October 2025 update.
• Apps freeze, get stuck on splash screens, or show "not responding" errors even after basic troubleshooting.
• The crash issue seems tied to conflicts between Google Play Services and the October Android update.
• Some users fixed it by uninstalling updates for Play Services and Play Store after the OS update.

Over the weekend, several Pixel 10 users began reporting a sudden wave of app crashes, with many claiming that apps on their phones are freezing or shutting down unexpectedly without any clear reason.

While the Android 16 experience on the Pixel 10 series has been relatively stable compared to previous Pixel launches, which were often plagued by early software bugs, a few issues have still surfaced.

Users initially reported display-related problems that were fixed with the September update, but following the October 2025 patch, a new issue has emerged where apps are crashing out of nowhere.

Several users on Reddit (via Android Police) report that after installing the October update, apps on their Pixel 10 devices have started to "crash randomly or get stuck at the splash screen." The issue appears to affect most apps, with users seeing the "[App] isn't responding" dialog box. Common fixes such as reinstalling the app or clearing the cache don't seem to resolve the issue.

Some users say that rebooting the device temporarily fixes the problem, but the crashes return after a few minutes. So far, the issue has only been widely reported on the Pixel 10 lineup, though a few Pixel 9 users have also experienced similar behavior. Other non-Pixel Android devices appear to be unaffected.

There may be a temporary fix in sight

A number of reports suggest that the issue might stem from Google Play services, which could be conflicting with either the October or the earlier September OS builds. One Reddit user mentioned that uninstalling and reinstalling updates for Google Play services and the Play Store temporarily resolves the issue, but others say the fix only lasts briefly before the crashes return.

It's worth noting that uninstalling Play Services also signs you out of your Google account and could cause app issues, so proceed with caution. If your phone hasn't been affected yet, it may be best to avoid updating Play Services for now.

Google has not yet acknowledged the issue, but with more reports pouring in every minute, it seems likely that a hotfix or patch will arrive soon. For now, if you haven't installed the October update on your Pixel 10 yet, it's best to hold off until Google issues a fix or provides an official statement.

What you need to know

• A report states the U.S. Supreme Court has doubled down on its previous ruling, declining Google's plea for a pause in certain aspects.
• The U.S. Supreme Court states Google must make the previously proposed "changes" to the Play Store delivered back in 2024.
• Google was previously ordered cease its anti-competitive Play Store practices, which has been the main catalyst behind Epic Games' lawsuit.

The U.S. Supreme Court is reportedly standing its ground on its order regarding Google and its Play Store.

The court's continued order was reported by CNBC, which states it has "turned down" Google's request for certain parts of a previous ruling to be paused. The order that Google was seeking to gain some leeway with concerned the proposed "changes" U.S. District Judge James Donato delivered in 2024. This is all wrapped up in the Epic v Google case, where the latter was accused of enacting anti-competitive practices via the Play Store.

As a result, Donato ruled that Google would have to make changes to get away from those anti-competitive practices, so third-party developers could place their apps on the Play Store more comfortably.

According to the publication, Google's attempt this year was because the company called Donato's previous ruling "unprecedented," as it could spur "security risks" and put it at a disadvantage." CNBC reiterates that Google has been ordered to allow the possibility for third-party developers to place their products on the Play Store for users to download. Additionally, Google was ordered to make its "Play app catalog available to competitors."

Google is likely chasing a freeze on these issues now because, as CNBC states, this checklist isn't supposed to go into effect until July 2026.

A long and storied case

We've been down this Epic v Google path for a few years now, and in August, it was ruled by the Ninth Circuit that Epic Games should be allowed on the Play Store. A jury had found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing "Android app distribution" and "in-app billing." Not only was Epic allowed to bring its Game Store to the Play Store, but the Ninth Circuit further ruled that Google should open its platform up to third-party developers.

Moreover, Google was "banned" from requiring consumers to go through its Play Billing services. Another notable issue brought up throughout this lawsuit.

While the Ninth Circuit did side with Epic earlier this year, it was reported that Google could seek the "Full" Ninth Circuit to chase a different, likely more favorable, ruling. We've now seen its quest with the U.S. Supreme Court come up empty, so it remains to be seen what else comes of this lawsuit. There are still some things about Judge James Donato's previous ruling that might not happen, but more information is likely to come.

What you need to know

• Google announced that it's preparing to roll out new prizes and items for Play Points rewards in the U.K.
• Over the "next few weeks," U.K. users can expect a team up with Android, YouTube, Chrome, and "top developers" to bring users apparel options and accessories.
• Google is also planning to bring access to its Diamond Valley mini-game to U.K. users in November.

Google just announced an upgrade to its Play Points experience for users in the U.K. that aims to give you something to spend those points on.

The Google Play Points rewards program is preparing to receive some notable upgrades "over the next few weeks" and even in the next couple of months for Android users in the U.K. To begin, Google says that it's introducing a new way to "play and win" in the European region in November. U.K. users should expect a revamp to its mini-game, Diamond Valley. In this mini-game, the company says users will need to "search for diamonds and use them for a chance to win prizes."

Such prizes include Pixel devices, "exclusive" merch, bonus points, and more. Not everyone will get access to this in the U.K. simultaneously, as Google states Gold Plus Play Points members will get in on November 3. Additionally, those users can expect a complimentary 500 diamond bonus to celebrate. November 10 is when all users can expect access to Diamond Valley, accessible via your profile icon > Play Points > Join for free.

Facing your more immediate future and rolling out "over the next few weeks" is an upgrade to what Android users in the U.K. can spend their points on.

The post highlights a team-up with Android, YouTube, Chrome, and "top developers" to bring users apparel options, accessories, and more. These new options to spend your Play Points on will be available on its dedicated page once the update arrives.

Play Points rewards is more rewarding

Google has been slowly improving its Play Points experience for Android users, such as its introduction of the Diamond Valley game last year. Originally, this launched for U.S. users in June 2024, as well as launching for Korean and Japanese users. Hunting for diamonds turns into real-world prizes, as users could exchange those digital gems for Pixel devices, merch, and more. Now, folks in the U.K. can get in on the action for more Google-branded merch.

That update was complemented by another last year, which brought prizes to a weekly rewards system. Gold, Platinum, and Diamond-level users can win Pixel devices, gaming gear, and more through "super weekly prizes" via the Play Points rewards program.

What you need to know

• Google is requiring developers to verify their identity before their apps hit your phone.
• This kicks in September 2026, starting with Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, where shady apps have been thriving.
• A new Android Developer Console is coming, with a lighter version for hobbyists and students.

Forget the old days of a free-for-all for side-loading, as Google is shaking things up with how apps get on your Android phone. Starting next year, any app you want to install, especially from outside the Play Store, will have to come from a developer who has gone through a new verification process.

Instead of policing app content, Google is introducing a system that verifies the identity of developers before their apps can be sideloaded or installed on certified devices.

Google wants you to think of it as showing ID at airports rather than getting your bag searched, as per the company's blog post. Starting in September 2026, this verification step will be required in select regions, including Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, where Google says scams and malicious apps have been particularly disruptive.

By confirming who’s behind an app, Google hopes to cut down on repeat offenders who try to rebrand and redistribute harmful software. The system doesn’t analyze or restrict what developers publish; it simply ties their work to a verified identity, making it harder for bad actors to slip through.

A new console for creators big and small

To support this shift, Google is preparing a dedicated Android Developer Console for those distributing apps outside of Google Play, with a lighter version tailored for students and hobbyists who just want to experiment.

The console lets developers create an account, verify their identity, and register app package names. It’s only for those distributing apps outside Google Play, while developers on both platforms can stick with their existing Play Console.

The tech giant has already seen success with identity verification on the Play Store since 2023, which helped cut down on fraudulent apps, financial scams, and malware targeting users.

For most people who only use the Google Play Store, nothing will change. But for those who use third-party app stores or like to download apps directly from a developer's website, this is a significant shift.

This change is bound to stir debate. Some will welcome it as a way to keep users safe from harmful apps, while others may see it as Google edging closer to Apple’s walled-garden approach. For the open-source crowd, the real concern is what this means for smaller developers who can’t — or won’t — go through Google’s verification hoops.

What you need to know

• Amazon's upcoming shutdown date for its app store on Android, August 20, is coming up.
• The company is no longer supporting Android devices with this store, as it shifts its focus to its own Fire Tablets, Fire TV, and more to "improve the experience."
• Amazon announced this back in February, while also informing users that their Coins will be refunded next week.

The end is nigh for Amazon's app store for Android devices, as the company enters the final stretch of its support.

A post by Android Police highlights the upcoming shutdown of the Amazon App Store for Android devices. While Amazon's version was viewed as a decent alternative for users looking for apps that the Google Play Store didn't carry, we'll still have to bid farewell to it next week on August 20. Android's the only way saying goodbye, as Amazon will (of course) keep its store available for its own devices.

As the publication states, once support is over for the Amazon App Store on Android, there's "no guarantee" that apps will continue to work on those devices. So, it's likely Android users will need to either drop those apps once the issues start popping up or find alternative options on the Google Play Store.

All app updates will end next week from the Amazon App Store, per the latest report.

Saying goodbye to an alternative store

Amazon started informing developers and consumers alike that it was going to shut down its store for Android on August 20 earlier this year. This alternative app store was available in 200 countries, bringing games and other apps to users who wanted other options. However, Amazon itself felt that there just wasn't much incentive to keep this store running for Android.

The company said in February that this move was a shift to focusing more on improving its app store experience for its own devices, rather than looping Android into the mix, too. Specifically, an Amazon statement said this move was because an "overwhelming majority of our customers currently engage with it" on its Fire Tablet, Fire TV, and such devices.

The other side was its digital currency: Amazon Coins. These coins will be discontinued, and any remaining will be refunded to users come August 20. We're also a bit wary of saying goodbye to Amazon's third-party store, due to the increased grip Google will have.

Google has lost its appeal with the Ninth Circuit against a 2023 verdict, where a jury found that Google’s app store and payments system were illegal monopolies. Good, because it's a prime example of a huge tech company abusing its market status.

This whole thing is a mess that doesn't affect most people. Something needs to be done to sort out what companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, etc. can legally get away with, but each small step seems to make the lines more blurred and confusing.

The problem is that there are so many different lawsuits and appeals that it's hard to keep track of them. It's equally hard to determine who might be the good guy and who isn't. Here's a hint: none of them are looking out for you. Not the companies, not the CEOs of those companies, and definitely not the lawyers.

The short term

As mentioned, there are appeals and motions for emergency stays and every other legal trick that can retain the status quo in the works. Ignoring all those, here's what has to be done in the next few weeks:

Google must stop forcing apps to use Google Play Billing services.

Google must allow app developers to advertise and steer users towards other app distribution platforms.

Google must limit or eliminate the perks and favors it offers in exchange for the installation of its own apps, or methods used to block installations from outside of Google Play.

Nothing to do with third-party app stores, Epic Games, or Fortnite billing will happen for at least eight more months, provided Google loses that hearing too. And it might.

The next step

What happens in 2026 may be a bit more dramatic, especially if you're an independent app developer. There are plenty of small details, but the two that stand out are:

Google must allow third-party app stores to be listed in the Google Play Store.

Google must share the Google Play Store's full app catalog with those third-party stores.

Of course, Google thinks this is a horrible decision that will affect user safety and privacy (they're right), and Epic Games thinks this is a "Total victory" (for them, it is a win).

I've reached out to Epic Games for anything they may have to say to clarify, and I was directed to this Tweet from Tim Sweeney.

For independent developers, it also means that they will have apps they uploaded to Google Play provided to other stores, like the Epic Games Store, unless they go through and opt out of the process. If they do not opt out, they face questions over billing, support, and distribution.

If you're a developer who doesn't have plenty of extra money and time, opt out of this ASAP. Figure out the details before you decide to allow it to happen.

All the other interesting details

First, I'm seeing a lot of people question why this happened to Google and didn't happen to Apple, as well as a lot of reasons for it. One important thing that most people overlook is that Apple didn't try to lie or hide anything.

Epic Games did. And the appellate court decision even mentions it. Epic embedded extra code in Fortnite for Android to try to bypass Google Play Billing. That's a valid reason for getting kicked out, even if you don't agree with the rule saying you must use Google Play Billing.

Epic also tried to garner a special deal with both Google and Apple, where it would pay less than the standard 30% while outwardly calling the practice anti-competitive and illegal.

Google also did. The company makes a point of being an open platform, but evidence shows it does plenty to stifle competition from other app distribution methods or make deals with phone makers to do the same.

Making users change a setting to install third-party apps may be fine, but claiming you are friendly to the idea while finding ways to make it even harder doesn't sit well with a judge. Neither is trying to suppress evidence of it happening, but Google did both.

Apple was just Apple. "Walled garden," "Apple's way or the highway," "total monopoly on devices running iOS," say it however you like. Apple says what it is and what it does, then doesn't try to hide any of it. In some cases, that's enough to satisfy a judge.

Another interesting tidbit that many people aren't mentioning is Epic Games' relationship with the Chinese state. In 2012, Tencent bought 40% of Epic Games, and Tencent has some interesting ties to the Chinese government, with the U.S. calling it a "Chinese Military company". Does this matter to a U.S. judge? Probably not. Should this case end up in the current Supreme Court, that may change.

Finally, Microsoft may get what it has wanted for decades, a real foothold in the mobile world. Should third-party stores become the norm on Android, you can bet there will be one hell of an Xbox Games store where you pay for Game Pass and get every Microsoft app right beside the most popular Android apps from Google Play. And Microsoft gets the profit from it.

What it means for us

Not much. Epic Games and Tim Sweeney want more money. Google wants more money. Both companies want that money to come from you.

If you want to install apps that didn't come from Google Play, you probably already know how to do it. There are instructions and tutorials everywhere. If you just want to tap a button and install the apps and games from the store already installed on your phone, you can continue to do so. If you didn't have any opinion about it all or didn't even know, tech websites making a big deal over these trials and hearings isn't going to change that.

If all the appeals are lost and Google must do everything the courts have decided, Google will lose some of its ability to make money. Companies like Epic Games will have a new way to make money. You're still parting with the money either way. This case isn't going to give Tim Sweeney the kind of bank account that Musk or Bezos has. It also isn't going to turn Google into Nokia, so it can slowly die. (That's a great book, by the way. Read it if you're a phone nerd.)

What could happen is you end up installing something without the same level of user protections you're used to having. This is one of Google's best arguments against things like adding third-party stores or sharing the Google Play app catalog. Epic Games (for example) may not be willing or able to spend the same amount of money that Google does policing the apps in its store. That's easily remedied if you pay attention, which all tech companies don't want you to do. Do it anyway.

This isn't over

Expect to see more news about appeals, injunctions, stays, and new cases trickle in with the regularity we're used to. Some may have the potential to make a change that's better for us consumers, and others won't. Hopefully, when the dust settles, things are better than they used to be.

What you need to know

• Google was ordered to make big Play Store and Android changes within 14 days following its loss to Epic in court.
• A court-approved emergency stay gives Google one extra week to implement the required changes.
• Google is now seeking an emergency stay and argues that fast changes could destabilize the Android ecosystem.

After losing to Epic Games in court, Google is now pushing for an emergency stay. The court ruling lets Epic bring its app store into Google Play and gives Google just two weeks to sort out a list of antitrust remedies.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this week backed the 2024 verdict in Epic’s case against Google, meaning Google now has to follow through with the required changes from the original ruling.

The Verge first reported Google had just 14 days to make the changes, but a new update from the same outlet reports that an emergency stay has pushed the deadline back by a week.

Google fights the clock after Epic court loss

However, the tight deadline pushed Google to request an emergency stay from the Ninth Circuit to hit pause on the ruling.

Under the court’s order, Google must allow developers to use their own payment systems and let them inform users about alternative ways to pay, even from within the Play Store. Developers must also be allowed to share links that let users download apps outside of the Play Store and have full control over how they price their apps.

On top of that, Google can no longer pay phone makers, carriers, or developers for exclusivity or preinstallation deals. Lastly, the company must work with Epic to build a system that supports third-party app stores.

Epic Games Store could arrive, but not until 2026

The court’s decision forces Google to overhaul key parts of the Play Store and Android, but it won’t all kick in at once. Even though Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says the Epic Games Store is on its way to the Play Store, Google isn’t obligated to allow that for another eight months. So, third-party app stores likely won’t show up on Google Play until 2026 at the earliest.

Google’s stay request frames the situation as urgent, warning that the mandated changes could ripple across millions of users and hundreds of thousands of developers, not to mention Google’s own operations. The company argues that rushing these shifts could introduce serious risks and throw the stability of the entire Android ecosystem into question.

It’s still unclear if the Ninth Circuit will approve Google’s request for a stay, but one way or another, the company will have to open the door, either by hosting competing app stores on Google Play or giving them full access to its app lineup.

What you need to know

• A Ninth Circuit ruling this week sides in favor of Epic Games, allowing its Android app store to be placed within the Google Play Store.
• It's been reported that Google will seemingly seek an appeal, potentially through the "full Ninth Circuit first."
• Epic and Google have been at this fight for years now, which all started due to the latter's anti-competitive practices against third-party developers.

Epic Games is basking in a recent victory against Google over its monopoly and anti-competitive practices with its Android app store.

On July 31, Epic Games' CEO Tim Sweeney posted positivity in the fight against Google's anti-competitive practices, stating, "Total victory in the Epic v Google appeal!" This was in response to the Ninth Circuit siding with Epic this week. As a result, Sweeney adds that the Epic Games Store will soon debut on the Google Play Store.

Sweeney reiterates that Epic Games for Android is already available globally for users as a side-loadable app via its website. However, with it coming to the Play Store, users can have an easier time downloading it onto their phones and other devices.

The Verge chimed in with more details, stating the two areas the jury found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing were "Android app distribution" and "in-app billing." Moreover, the Ninth Circuit's decision this week is reportedly resuming a past injunction that would require Google to open its Play Store to third parties. Aside from Epic, the publication reports that the Google Play Store would have to "effectively open up its app store to competition for three whole years."

Not only will its "rivals" like Epic Games and others have the chance to show up on the Play Store, but Google would be "banned" from requiring apps to utilize its Play Billing service. It's this Play Store policy and grueling 15%-30% cut for in-app purchases that has always been wrapped in Epic's arguments since day one.

Epic wins, but it's not over (yet)

While Epic took a decisive victory over Google this week, The Verge received word from the latter that it would appeal the ruling. The publication says, "While Google did say it will appeal, it could possibly ask for an en banc review from the full Ninth Circuit first."

In 2024, Epic started rolling out its own store for its games on Android and iOS following the removal of Fortnite from those areas. The fight then included Samsung as big tech companies started incorporating anti-competitive features, such as the Korean OEM's "Auto Block" feature, which reportedly heavily deterred users from third parties.

This was essentially wrapped in the sideloading policies companies enforced on their systems. Earlier this year, Epic made a statement, saying, "So far none of the 100 highest grossing mobile game developers are willing to distribute their games on the Epic Games Store because of the Core Technology Fee and Apple and Google’s onerous restrictions and scare screens." Alongside these scare tactics, users attempting to sideload—take the Epic Game Store, for instance—are met with a series of system prompts.

These prompts are often lengthy, forcing users to go through upwards of 12 to 15 steps just to install the Epic Game Store. Following the Ninth Circuit's ruling and the store's availability within the Play Store, this should be much simpler for users.

San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing, and Google is back with another fun experience for attendees. Last year, the company had a whole Ferris wheel setup, but this time around, the experience is much more immersive, thanks to a collaboration with Monopoly Go! and Marvel's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," which hits theaters on July 25.

Visitors will be able to take their first steps into the Google Play Rewards Lab, with unique experiences related to each of the members of the Fantastic Four. However, Google also has some rewards for members who aren't able to experience the Rewards Lab in person.

Taking your first steps

The Google Play Rewards Lab was all about letting you experience what it's like to be a member of the Fantastic Four. You step onto a conveyor belt that leads you into each of the four pods with four very different experiences.

The first experience was inside the Stretch pod, after Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic. Here, you get to play a game where you try to catch Play Store rewards points utilizing touch pads to control Mister Fantastic's stretched arms. The goal is to score a certain number of points within a given time.

The second pod is perhaps my favorite, and it's the Force Field pod. Here, you can hone your inner Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman, who is able to create and manipulate force fields.

This pod won't let you turn invisible, but it will let you manipulate a display of cascading lights with your hands. The lights change colors and move in response to your hands, allowing you to create a variety of figures and images.

The third pod is the Strength pod, which is probably my second favorite area. Here, you can have your own Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, moment and clobber the floor with your feet. You can team up with a few other people to stomp on the digital display on the floor from four different corners of the room, which will crumble beneath your feet to reveal a rather cool (and somewhat disorienting) display.

There are several levels to complete, which means smashing through a few surfaces. Once you smash through enough of the floor, you'll be rewarded with a special honor for saving the day.

Finally, the last pod was the Fire pod for the fiery Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch. Here, you can "flame on" and become the Human Torch by shooting a video of yourself flying in the air. Your video will be inserted into a clip from the new film, which you can then preview and even send to yourself to share with your friends or on social media.

You can see my video below:

You can stop by the Rewards Lab outside the San Diego Convention Center starting July 24, and you'll even get prioritized entry and other rewards if you're a Google Play Points member.

Perks for everyone

If you're unable to attend San Diego Comic-Con for the full experience, don't worry, because Google is offering everyone a chance to get in on some rewards. Thanks to the collaboration with Monopoly Go!, players can grab a limited-edition Fantastic Four in-game rewards in the form of an exclusive The Thing Tea Emoji for U.S. players. This can be added to their showrooms, and users can also use it to react to other players.

Furthermore, Google is letting Play Points members redeem their points for other exclusives, such as a Fantastic Four Fan Pack, an enamel The Thing pin, a signed comic book, and even a Citizen watch.

Google's Four Days of Fantastic Rewards is available from July 24 to 27, while the exclusive in-game Monopoly Go! reward will be available until August 4, which you can redeem over on the Play Store.

What you need to know

• Google Play Store is seen adopting Material 3 Expressive, featuring vibrant colors for category icons in the search tab.
• This server-side update (version 46.5.19) enhances the visual distinction of sections like Explore apps and Explore games.
• Previously, the Material 3 Expressive design has also started appearing in other Google apps like Gmail, hinting at a wider visual refresh across Google's ecosystem, coinciding with the Android 16 rollout.

Google's Material 3 Expressive is the most visually advanced design makeover coming with Android 16. While it is being incorporated across the interface, new findings reveal how Google Play Store is taking advantage of it.

The latest version of the Play Store app was seen bringing the Material 3 Expressive in the search tab, spotted by Android Authority. It appears to be a server-side update, which brings some colorful elements through the tab icons on the Google Play Store app.

Per the shared screenshots by the publication, it is pretty evident how the icons across categories look after the latest update. The icons across Popular apps, Explore apps, and Explore games are much easier to spot, thanks to Material 3 Expressive's vibrant color design elements. While the icons now pop up in colors, the outline still remains intact as in the previous version.

Such subtle design changes are expected to spread across all Google apps as we progress, with the rollout of Android 16 anticipated in the coming months, potentially aligning with the launch of the Pixel 10 series.

As for this update, as told, it is a server-side one and was seen on the Google Play Store running version 46.5.19.

Gmail gains Material 3 Expressive look

Like the Google Play Store, the bold Material 3 Expressive look has also been witnessed in the search giant's Gmail app. The changes were prominent when it comes to the search bar, bottom navigation bar, and compose button — all of which had their own accent colors popping up.

The compose button now has a glowing look with the new update next to the chunkier font, and the accompanying pencil icon also has a bolder look. When the rollout happens broadly, Gmail users can experience a major revamp with new colors all over the place, and a new card-style layout is also expected.

What you need to know

• Google has finally ditched one-tap buys on the Play Store for a swipe-to-buy move, making sure you really want to spend your cash.
• The “Slide to buy” feature rolled out with Play Store version 46.5.19-31 and shows up everywhere — apps, books, movies, even Google TV.
• Instead of a quick tap, you now drag a pill-shaped button with helpful arrows and bounce effects guiding you to confirm.

Google has now swapped out the one-tap buy on the Play Store for a slide-to-buy gesture in order to tackle accidental purchases head-on, making sure you actually mean to hit buy.

Following up on what was teased in March’s Play Services update, Google Play Store has officially replaced its old one-tap buy button with a swipe-to-confirm gesture. Spotted first by 9to5Google, this “Slide to buy” feature is now live across the whole digital lineup, such as apps, books, movies, you name it.

This change appears to be rolling out wide with Play Store version 46.5.19-31. You’ll see it pop up everywhere you make a Google Play purchase — whether you’re buying from third-party apps or right inside the Google TV app.

Swipe it like you mean it

Instead of just tapping once, users now interact with a pill-shaped button that has a circular handle you drag. Animated arrows and a little bounce hint at the swipe action, making it clear how to seal the deal before buying.

Single-tap buys made it way too easy to accidentally spend cash, especially on apps. Seeing this problem, Google has stepped in to fix it. What used to be a quick checkout had a downside—people clicking “buy” by mistake. This new slide move is Google's way of cutting down those oops moments for good.

With this change, now you have to swipe sideways to confirm before the usual password or fingerprint step kicks in. This new slide-to-buy gesture works the same whether you’re grabbing a one-off app or signing up for a subscription through the Play Store.

This swipe move is a solid upgrade, especially for people who’ve dialed back or turned off purchase checks. It’s a smart way to make buying stuff a whole lot less stressful, and honestly, we’re all here for it.

What you need to know

• Google I/O 2025 held a spotlight on the Play Store, detailing how the company will increase user engagement.
• The Play Store will soon receive "topic browse pages," which lets users interact with apps in ways that encompass multiple aspects of the Store.
• Google is also working on streamlining the subscription cafe, making it easier for users to purchase subscriptions alongside its add-ons.

Google I/O 2025 has been a flurry of announcements, but here's another concerning how users can grow on Play.

At its core, the Google Play Store is developing a new ways to improve engagement for developers and users. According to its press release, the company says it the Play Store will soon receive "topic browse pages." The post claims this feature will deliver "timely, relevant, and visually engaging content on specific topics." These browsing pages will reportedly incorporate multiple aspects of the store, like App Home and store listings, among others.

We'll likely understand more of it once it arrives, which is slated for this month (May) in the U.S. Google says once its browse pages rollout, users can find them first for Media & Entertainment content.

Google expects to expand its coverage to more types of apps and content "later this year."

Play Store, Users, and Devs

Engagement updates continue with Google's reported expansion of "Where to Watch." The post says users in Korea, Indonesia, the U.K., and Mexico will soon see it on the Play Store. In July, Google says more developers will have the ability to display a hero content carousel and even include YouTube videos in their store listings.

Rounding out the engagement updates is Google's "audio samples" on the Apps Home. Google says this should give users an (audible) way to experience what developers are offering first before diving in further. This will debut first for Health & Wellness content on the Play Store in the U.S. before expanding to other areas.

More for Developers

App development takes time, but Google looks to relieve the stress behind the management side with more actionable insights for devs. Specifically, Google says it will soon bring overview pages for the Grow and Monetize statistics for developers and their apps. Moreover, the company is working on bringing the ability for devs to "fully-halt" the rollout of an app's version if reports show it's causing more harm than good.

Another update makes it easier to upload, edit, and view app assets in the Play Store via the Asset Library. Google says developers can drag their content into their listings straight from Drive. It's update will even clue devs into how attractive their assets might be to users, which can feed into app engagement.

Google's also stepping up its security for developers creating apps. This concerns developers staying ahead of potential signs of abuse, protecting their app's "sensitive" actions, like transfers or data access.

Play Store Revenue

Subscriptions concern us all — developers and end-users alike. Google states it's looking to "streamline" the subscription process to build engagement. To get this done, the post says the Play Store will introduce "multi-product checkout for subscriptions." In short, developers can sell a subscription and its add-ons under one "aligned payment schedule." For users, they will see one price upon purchase that incorporates the subscription and its add-ons.

Developers will gain increased control over how users can upgrade their subscription, manage add-ons, or downgrade.

Moreover, subscribers will see the benefits they will receive by purchasing what a developer (app) is offering more clearly.

Google's focus on payments doesn't end there, as the post details another update. During a device's initial setup, Google says it will look to prompt users about setting up payment methods and verification. AI isn't taking a backseat on this, as the post highlights Google's models will be present to help developers "optimize" in-app transactions.

What you need to know

• Google Play Store lost nearly 47% of its apps since the start of 2024, according to a new report.
• Of these apps, 200,000 were under the “games” category, followed by 160,700 in education, and 115,400 in business.
• Google said that it is due to its new policies that can track, detect, and remove spammy apps from the platform.

A new analysis by app intelligence provider Appfigures shows that Google's Play Store has been losing apps since the start of 2024. The report states that the Android app marketplace was home to 3.4 million apps worldwide, but the number dipped to around 1.8 million in just one year (as first reported by TechCrunch).

That's nearly half (47%) of the apps deleted from the Play Store, and according to Google, this is good news for Android users.

"This reflects the company’s focus on delivering high-quality apps” and “commitment to continuous improvements for user safety,” said a Google spokesperson to The Verge.

Back in March, the Google Play Store was impacted by a massive ad fraud that made users download "vapor apps" disguised as genuine popular apps. These ran recurring ads, making it difficult for users to delete and generating tons of revenue for fraudsters. This impacted over 56 million downloads that spanned across 180 apps, and the only way to practically fix this issue was by deleting the apps that caused it.

Tech Crunch added that Google confirmed its new policies were at play here, "which also included an expanded set of verification requirements, required app testing, and expanded human reviews to check for apps that try to deceive or defraud users."

As seen in the image above, 200,000 app tiles that were removed from the Google Play Store were in the “games” category, followed by 160,700 in education, and 115,400 in business, The Verge noted.

Why is this a good thing? For users, this significant cleanup makes the Play Store less cluttered with unwanted spammy apps and makes it easier for users to find genuine apps. As for developers, the reduction of apps makes it only easier for users to find their apps, with less noise from low-quality or scam apps.

That said, Google has been ramping up its efforts to track down malicious apps and is "working on ways to make it even harder for malicious actors to hide or trick users into harmful installs, which will not only protect your business from fraud but also help users download your apps with confidence."

Update (April 17, 5:45 p.m. ET): Added comment from Google spokesperson.

What you need to know

• Xbox is adding support for purchasing games via the Android mobile app.
• Users can buy an Xbox game from their Android phone in two taps and set it to automatically install on their console remotely.
• The platform is also removing Remote Play support from the app, but it'll remain available on the mobile web client.

While other online gaming storefronts allowed Android users to buy games from their smartphones, like Steam, this feature was notably absent from the Xbox app. Now, that's finally changing. In the Xbox April Update, the platform added support for buying games, purchasing add-ons, subscribing to Game Pass, and redeem Perks straight from an iOS Android device.

The expanded functionality is set to become available for beta testers on both Android and iOS first, with all Google Play Store users and App Store users getting the feature at a later date. For users that have payment information saved with Xbox, it'll only take two clicks on their Android phone to buy a new game. This streamlines the browsing and purchasing process, which can be difficult on an Xbox due to controller limitations.

If this sounds familiar, it should: Xbox announced plans to support this feature way back in October 2024. It resulted from a U.S. court decision that barred Google from mandating developers use Google Play Billing to process in-app purchases. But due to court delays, Microsoft had to put its plans on pause until things could be sorted out.

Buying Xbox games from the Android mobile app is now possible due to the requirement for developers to use Google Play Billing being dropped, according to Microsoft. With Google Play Billing, Xbox would've had to surrender a cut to Google for processing payments through the Play Store.

But Google tells Android Central that buying Xbox games via the Android app has always been possible.

“Microsoft has always been able to offer their Android users the ability to play and purchase Xbox games directly from their app – they've simply chosen not to,” said Dan Jackson, the head of policy communications for Android and Google Play, in a statement.

At the time, Xbox President Sarah Bond stated that these changes would make it possible for the company to offer Xbox purchases within the Android app. "The court's ruling to open up Google's mobile store in the US will allow more choice and flexibility," said Bond in an October 2024 post.

Aside from purchasing games and add-ons in the Xbox app, users can also remotely install those games on their Xbox console. So, users can buy an app on their Android phone and have it installed and ready to go by the time they return home.

Separately, Xbox is removing Remote Play support from the Android app, but it will still remain accessible on mobile through the xbox.com/remoteplay website.

What you need to know

• Google announced increased safety measures that will roll out soon to its Play Store.
• In an attempt to create a safer Android Ecosystem, Google will expand Play Protect to “target malicious applications that try to impersonate financial apps."
• It will start adding more verified badges to help users identify and validate genuine apps — “Verified” for VPNs.

Google announced today that it will be extensively working on making its Play Store a safer platform for both app developers as well as users. In a lengthy Android Developers' blog post, the company chalked out protection plans for 2025 that will make it easier for developers to build safe apps right from the get-go, which will help users recognize "real" apps from fraudulent ones.

To start, Google Play Protect, which has its live threat detection in place, is expanding its protection to target more "malicious applications that try to impersonate financial apps."

Recently, the Google Play Store was impacted by a massive ad fraud that made users download "vapor apps" disguised as genuine popular apps. These ran recurring ads, making it difficult for users to delete and generating tons of revenue for fraudsters. After that, Google had to take down 180 apps from the platform.

Google started warning users when it detected an unsafe app that originated from sources outside of Google Play. The tech giant will also be expanding its financial fraud protection pilot to additional countries where it has seen "higher levels of malware-based financial fraud."

The blog further adds that the company's most recent analysis found over "50 times more Android malware" from sources outside the Play Store like internet browsers and messaging apps, likely from users clicking on scam texts or links.

"This year we’re working on ways to make it even harder for malicious actors to hide or trick users into harmful installs, which will not only protect your business from fraud but also help users download your apps with confidence," the blog stated.

Furthermore, the company is going to add a "verified badge" on specific VPN apps to help users discover more secure VPNs and will expand this to other app categories in the future.

App developers will also see tools to help protect their apps/businesses from fraud. The Play Integrity API tool, which helps keep fraud, bots, cheating, and data theft at bay, will see “stronger protection for even more users” that will help them "re-identify abusive and risky devices in a way that also preserves user privacy." Google is also working on self-help tools that allow users to solve issues "for when they're using a tampered version of the app." These features will be rolled out to developers as early as May.

Lastly, Google is leaning in on the importance of feedback from developers through new features in Console and Android Studio. The Google Play Developer Help Community will also include more languages, such as Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese, catering to a wider audience.

What you need to know

• Epic is offering weekly free games for Android users through the Epic Games Store on mobile.
• The company also added nine more titles to the Epic Games Store for Android in the last month.
• Currently, users can download Super Meat Boy Forever and Eastern Exorcist for free until March 27.

Epic brought its popular PC game marketplace, the Epic Games Store, to mobile, and it's bringing the famous free games program to iOS and Android too. The company first announced monthly free games for the Epic Games Store on mobile starting in January 2025. Now, there are weekly free games available on iOS and Android starting today, per a press release.

User can download Super Meat Boy Forever and Eastern Exorcist from the Epic Games Store on those platforms until March 27, free of charge. Those titles join the Epic-made free titles that are always available, like Fortnite and Rocket League. In the past, Epic offered games such as Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, but that offer expired last month.

To install the Epic Games Store on Android, you'll need to sideload it onto your device. That means navigating to Epic's website, downloading the APK, and completing the installation process. In all, the company says it takes 12 steps for an Android user to download and run the Epic Games Store. It's a lot different than using the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.

Still, it may be worth it, especially if you like free Android games. Plus, the Epic Games Store continues to add more games and features as it builds up its game marketplace. Earlier this year, Epic added a few essential desktop features to the mobile version — persistent account login across games and auto-functionality.

Additionally, the company added nine games to the Epic Games Store for Android in the past month:

• Bowling Clash
• Endling - Extinction is Forever
• Chicken Police - Paint it RED
• One Hand Clapping
• Neighbours back From Hell
• This is The Police
• This is The Police 2
• This Is The President
• Through the Darkest of Times

Time will tell if free games will be enough to sway Android users away from the Google Play Store, because Google's option isn't perfect. For now, users can expect at least one free game each week on the Epic Games Store for Android.

What you need to know

• Google Play Store keeps sending multiple update notifications to Pixel and Samsung users.
• These notifications seem to be coming from first-party Google apps needing an update, even though they've been updated to the latest version.
• Dismissing these notifications doesn't seem to make them go away, as they keep recurring after a few minutes.

Recently, Google went on a mass deletion spree and took down several apps on Play Store that were part of a massive Ad fraud that engulfed them. Today (Mar. 18), Android users are frustrated with some kind of bug that's taken over the Play Store —sending constant notifications asking them to update the app.

According to 9to5Google, these notifications were being sent by first-party apps like Google Messages, Google Search etc. Asking users to update the app, otherwise they won't function properly.

However, once users click on the notification they're taken to Google Play Store's home page, all in vain; since the apps don't show any update available to be installed. The latest updated version available as of now is v25.09.33.

That's not all, the most frustrating thing that users say is that this notification never goes away. It keeps popping up every couple of minutes even after being dismissed, more like a loopy bug.

This bug seems to be impacting all Android devices users including Google Pixel and Samsung phone owners. One such Pixel user took to Reddit indicating that they had been dealing with this issue all morning and even tried to, reboot the phone as well and delete cache and storage for Google Play Services and Google Play Store, but that didn't do much either. The notification kept coming back with different Google apps showing up in the notifications tab.

Another user stated "This is occurring on my S25 Ultra but not my Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Ultra is running version 25.09.62 while the Pixel is running version 25.10.33. Both are on non-beta firmware."

Some have even suggested checking for any updates by heading to Security & privacy > Updates. However, as of now, there seems to be no fix in sight. Android Central has reached out to Google about this ongoing bug and will update this article once we have more information.

It is important to note that any troubleshooting steps that users have mentioned on Reddit threads are simply suggestions and aren't official guidelines to fix the issue.

What you need to know

• Google quietly ditched the Play Store’s app-sharing feature in a recent update.
• The feature was supposed to be removed in a December update, but it oddly stuck around until now.
• It was a lifesaver for users with little to no internet, allowing local app transfers without eating up data.

Google has pushed a sneaky Play Store update and, in the process, axed a feature most people might have never used: app sharing. While not widely known, it was a handy gem for some users.

Back in 2021, Google introduced the app-sharing feature that tied into Quick Share, making it a breeze to shoot apps directly between Android phones. But, according to the fine print in the December Play Store update, this handy tool is now on its way out after three years of quietly doing its job.

This removal first came to light in December, when it looked like the Play Store’s v44.1 update would be the one to pull the plug. But, weirdly enough, the feature kept chugging along even after the update dropped. Fast forward to now, and the latest Play Store build has finally sealed the deal, as spotted by 9to5Google.

Basically, the app-sharing feature was a lifesaver in spots with spotty or nonexistent internet. Instead of eating up what little bandwidth was available, users could grab apps directly from nearby devices through local connections.

Back in the day, you could find the app-sharing feature tucked away in the Play Store’s 'Manage apps & devices' section, marked by a little 'Nearby Share' icon.

Google’s reason for axing app-sharing is a mystery. If you never knew it existed, you’re not alone. Safe to say, most people won’t even notice it’s gone.

Its removal is a big loss for some

Even though not many people used it, the feature was super handy for folks in spots with spotty or no internet. It gave them a way to get apps without relying on shaky connections. Now that it’s gone, it’s a real blow for anyone who depended on those local transfers to stay connected.

Nevertheless, there are still ways to get the job done. Plenty of third-party apps out there let you share data over Bluetooth. Sure, it’s not baked into the Play Store anymore, but the core idea lives on if you know where to look.

On top of that, Google’s own Nearby Share app is still up and running, letting you swap apps, photos, and other files between Android devices without needing an internet connection. And if that’s not your thing, there’s always Files by Google, which does pretty much the same thing.

What you need to know

• Google removed over 180 apps spanning across 56 million downloads, due to a massive ad fraud scheme tricking advertisers into paying for fake user engagement.
• The fraudsters created vapor apps, that were disguised as genuine popular apps, that ran recurring ads making it difficult for users to delete.
• The IAS Threat Lab worked with Google to identify and take down these apps from the Play Store

Google is working on deleting a massive number of apps from its Play Store following an“extensive and sophisticated ad fraud scheme” (as first spotted by Forbes), that seems to have impacted over 56 million downloads that spanned across 180 odd apps.

According to the publication, it seems like Google was trying to play catch up by sending out security patches in an attempt to fix the issue that’s causing several apps to turn malicious. However, it seems like it was all in vain, and now the only way to practically fix this issue was by deleting the apps that caused it.

An Ad-fraud scheme is different from a Malware or a Firmware that takes over devices. It involves people tricking advertisers into paying for genuine user engagement in the pretext of showing these ads on real apps, however they are not actually reaching real users. It could also show users ads extensively on the app, which will lower user experience, leading to people moving away from Play Store to download apps.

Furthermore, the publication adds that these fraudsters create something called “vapour” apps and showcase them on the popular category of the app store and users unknowingly will download these look-alike apps (like flashlights or QR code readers) but end up getting one filled with unnecessary ads. “Upon installation, these apps are often accompanied by a persistent notification, subtly ensuring their continued operation. Some of these apps have no visible icon or ‘open’ button available for the user to interact with,” Forbes added.

How Google tackled this

This not only impacts users but also genuine advertisers who are willing to shell out money to make their products more visible on the App Store. Genuine app developers who rely on advertisers for revenue are also impacted by this scheme, undermining the overall integrity of the Play Store. It seems like these apps have slipped through Google Play Protect as well, Android’s defense against malware and permission abuse, which is essentially there to keep devices safe from harmful apps.

Finally, Integral Ad Science (IAS), a global media measurement and optimization platform worked with Google to “actively disrupt this fraudulent operation, collaborating with industry partners to minimize its impact.” As a result, Google has removed all fraudulent apps from the Play Store.

In response to IAS’ report, Google stated it is taking proactive measures to protect the Play Store from these vapor apps. “Google Play Protect will warn users and automatically disable these apps, even when they originate from sources outside of Google Play.”

What you need to know

• The Google Play Store now has a ‘Widgets’ filter to help you track them down fast.
• App listings will now show a clear widget badge, so you don’t have to dig through descriptions.
• Google Play is launching a section to highlight top widget-powered apps by category.

Finding Android apps with widget support used to be a hassle, but Google's Play Store is adding a new filter to make tracking down widget-friendly apps way easier.

Customizing your home screen with widgets that give you quick app updates has always been a big part of what makes Android stand out. But even Google agrees that developers have been stuck playing hide-and-seek when it comes to getting their widget-packed apps in front of users.

On top of making your home screen look cool, widgets have a practical role, too. A great widget can keep you hooked on an app by constantly serving up fresh updates right on your home screen, making sure it stays front and center in your daily routine.

So, Google announced that it is making it easier to find apps with widgets by adding a ‘Widgets’ filter to Play Store search. It helps users quickly spot apps with widget support (via 9to5Google).

At the same time, app listings will now include a clear visual badge for widget support, so users won’t have to dig through text or images to find out. This tweak could also boost downloads, making it easier for people to pick apps that offer the features they want.

Furthermore, the Google Play Store is launching a special hub to spotlight apps with widgets, sorted by categories like productivity and entertainment. This space will not only show off what widgets can do but also put the spotlight on apps that nail widget design. For developers who put effort into building great widgets, it’s a chance to get noticed and hopefully rack up more downloads.

These updates are rolling out to the Google Play Store on Android phones, tablets, and foldables. But if you’re using the Play Store website on a desktop or laptop, you’re out of luck because these changes won’t apply there. That’s probably going to rub some users the wrong way, especially those who prefer browsing for apps on bigger screens.

Okay, the headline might be a little harsh, but I feel like the Play Store has evolved (or devolved) into one of those massive indoor flea markets with every square inch packed to the point that it's spilled out into the parking lot with people setting up tables.

To continue this random but apt analogy, you'll head over and see the same stores that have been there for years. You'll also see a few newcomers who are trying to fit in while offering a bunch of goodies for cheap. Then, there are those who don't fully understand the concept of a "flea market" and are there for all of the wrong reasons.

This is pretty much how the Play Store shakes out, with many of the usual suspects holding ground in the "Top Charts." Occasionally, a new app or game will slowly (or quickly) arrive with a lot of excitement before nestling in with the rest and bumping others out. Then, we have the nefarious apps. The ones that have a nice coat of paint, but are only there to either drain your Play Store balance or worse.

Thankfully, there are a few trusted Play Store alternatives that I've been enjoying to help make finding apps exciting again.

Enough apps to make your head spin

My first problem comes with actually finding apps. As of early February 2025, 42matters claims there are almost 2.1 million apps on the Play Store. Apparently, more than 1,100 new apps are published every day, with an average of almost 42,000 apps arriving every month. This brings me to my first issue with the Play Store — search.

How is it that a search engine can be so bad at search? Sure, it works fine if you know the name of the app that you're looking for. But try to search for "KWGT" or "icon packs." You'll get plenty of results, but there's no rhyme or reason for how the options are displayed. And it's not like you can just sort by "recently updated" or by the highest rating.

Of course, this problem really only surfaces when searching for more broad terms, but it's still something that drives me crazy. It also drives me crazy that, with some app listings, it's practically impossible to see the last time that it was updated.

Speaking of which, I can't tell you how many times I've gone to open and use an app, only to have to wait for it to be updated, despite the fact that it should have been updated overnight while my phone was charging and while I was asleep. No, it's not some game-breaking problem, but if I check the box for an app or my phone to do something, I expect it to be done.

Oh, and don't even get me started on games. One of the biggest reasons why I'm still subscribed to Play Pass is that it surfaces games that aren't just looking for ways to extract as much patience and money from me as possible. Which is exactly what most of the "Top Charts" consist of anymore. It's not entirely Google's fault, but both Apple and Google are a bit to blame here.

Stepping into the world of FOSS

Wouldn't ya know, for the 2.1 million apps on the Play Store, there's a whole world of apps that are available. Many of which are FOSS or "free and open source software," and are just a few taps away.

F-Droid is probably something you've heard of before, as it's essentially the Play Store for FOSS apps. The only "catch" is that you first need to sideload the F-Droid app or one of the clients like Neo Store and Droid-ify. And honestly, you'll probably want to try out Neo Store or Droid-ify because the F-Droid app itself looks rather archaic.

This is where my anti-Play Store journey began, as there really are a lot of fantastic open-source apps that don't get the recognition they deserve. Yes, there's a lot more digging and nuance involved, but in the end, it's well worth it.

But what if you're like me and have a curated list of open-source apps that you want to download and keep updated? Well, that's where Obtainium comes in.

Obtainium to the rescue

I first learned about Obtainium early last year, as I was expanding my knowledge of retro gaming on Android handhelds. See, there are a decent number of recommended and reliable emulators on the Play Store, but there are even more that aren't. At the time, this was before Nintendo wrecked Switch emulation, so Obtainium made it easy to keep Yuzu and its forks updated.

With Obtainium, you're able to bypass F-Droid or the Play Store and get apps and updates directly from the source. However, there are "over a dozen source websites, including GitHub, GitLab, and F-Droid."

The process of adding apps can still be tedious, especially if the majority of them come from GitHub and you end up bumping up against the rate limit. That can be solved by signing up for a GitHub and/or GitLab account and generating a Personal Access Token that is added to Obtainium.

However, there's also a solution to being able to keep the list of apps across devices, without needing to manually add them every time. Obtainium lets you export the list of apps that you've curated, complete with any specific information that you've added such as the name or category. So as long as you keep the exported JSON file backed up, you can just download Obtainium and import the list when you get a new Android device.

The fun doesn't stop there, however, as you can also add things and set them to "Track-Only." With this, you'll be notified when there's a new release, but it's not actually an app that can be downloaded. I use this to keep track of when new drivers are released, along with tracking multiple forks of the same app.

Because I've been getting more and more open-source apps, and not just the ones on Android, I've also started using GitHub more and more. So, when I learned that I could create a repo and upload my exported list of apps, I got pretty excited.

This way, I don't have to try to remember what cloud storage service I uploaded it to while keeping my "open source world" tied together quite nicely. Plus, there are a bunch of "crowdsourced app configurations" that can be added with just a couple of taps.

Look, I know that this isn't a path that many will venture down, and it's okay if you don't really have issues with the Play Store. But if you're like me and want something better, and that gives you more control, definitely check out Obtainium.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• TikTok has reportedly returned to the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store, pre reports.
• ByteDance's TikTok was hit with a U.S. ban on January 19 after the company failed to appease the concerns about "national security risks."
• However, President Trump has granted leniency, granting 75 days to ByteDance so both parties can figure out a satisfying way forward.
• Last year, ByteDance stated it would rather ditch its U.S. presence than divest any part of TikTok.

ByteDance's TikTok has reportedly returned to app stores in the U.S. following the U.S. government's reported "reassurances."

According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, TikTok was first spotted reappearing on the Apple App Store. Users on X chimed in, reporting that the app had returned as early as Wednesday, February 12. Experiences vary as some had more difficulties than others, but it seems more widely available for Apple's iPhones today (Feb 14.)

Additionally, the publication reports that the app has reappeared on the Google Play Store. Android Central has also spotted TikTok's availability via the Play Store, so users who may have deleted the app or never had it before can download it.

The publication states that TikTok's return to Google and Apple resulted from a letter from the U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi. The letter supposedly offered consolation that the proposed U.S. ban wouldn't "immediately" take effect.

The U.S. government originally banned TikTok on January 19 after its parent company, ByteDance, declined to sell the app. This followed a bill signed into law in April 2024, which targeted the app over its Chinese ownership and the possibility of a "national security threat." U.S. users were left with a message when opening TikTok, highlighting its ban, but there was some hope.

TikTok stated "President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate" the app after his inauguration.

The company started working with service providers to restore TikTok's services for users in the U.S., despite the app's removal from stores. However, there's still a lot of work to do. Bloomberg states TikTok has 75 days (from Jan 20) to work with the U.S. government to find common ground with privacy/security concerns over its citizen's data. This means we'll have to wait and see if TikTok is back for good in April 2025.

The publication adds that ByteDance remains against divesting any part of TikTok to the U.S. The Chinese-based company stood firm on that sentiment last year, stating it would rather ditch its U.S. presence than sell. ByteDance said the "special algorithms" used for TikTok would make selling the app difficult. Moreover, these algorithms are a crucial part of the app's business, and trying to make things work in a sell might cause more harm.

What you need to know

• Google has released its expected February security patch to Pixel devices ranging from the Pixel 6 series to the Pixel 9.
• This light patch offers audio and Bluetooth fixes, but it will bring a solution to the worrying zero-day exploit Google recently detailed.
• February also holds several updates for the Play Store and Play Services that users will slowly receive.
• Google highlighted that a zero-day exploit saw a "limited" and "targeted exploitation" on Android, which caused OS instability.

Google is kicking off February with multiple updates across its Pixels, Play Store, and Android systems.

To begin, Google posted its patch notes for the February 2024 security updates for its line of Pixel devices. This month's security patch will arrive for devices ranging from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9 series (including its Fold and Tablet) as version AP4A.250205.002 globally.

This month's patch notes are relatively light. Google states its Pixel devices will fixes for "audio output in Android Auto under certain conditions." According to its changelog, this fix involves every eligible Pixel device for the February patch.

Additionally, the patch brings the following Bluetooth fix: "occasionally preventing connection with certain Bluetooth devices or accessories." Google says this was an issue primarily on the entire Pixel 9 series, meaning those users should now find relief.

Those with a Pixel device under T-Mobile will see vAP4A.250205.002.C1 for the Pixel 9 series. Pixel 7 devices up to the Pixel 9 under Telstra will find vAP4A.250205.002.B2 and the Pixel 6 series in EMEA will find vAP4A.250205.002.A1.

In other news, Google detailed its wave of early February updates on a support page, which begins by highlighting a couple of updates for the Play Store (via 9to5Google). The changelog states there's an update rolling out for "Tablet pQuality" titled "version 3." Google says this patch "updates the system to evaluate the app quality on tablets and ChromeOS devices."

There are also a few UI updates on deck for the Play Store for users creating a Game Profile. These updates are reportedly arriving for Android phones as v44.8 of the Play Store.

Several updates are arriving for Play Services, which can be seen below.

• [Developers - Auto] New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support machine learning and AI-related processes in their apps.
• [Account Management - Phones] With the new entry point for Family Link in Google Settings, you can now manage your family group more easily.
• [Utilities - Phones] New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support utilities-related processes in their apps.
• [Connectivity - Phone, TV, Wear OS, Auto] Bug fixes for device connection-related services.
• [Connectivity - Phone] With this new feature, you can continue your Quick Share transfers over Wi-Fi or mobile data even if the sender or receiver loses direct connection.

One important note to keep in mind is that this February security patch should tackle a crucial zero-day Android exploit. The company recently detailed that the issue, marked as CVE-2024-53104, attacks the Android OS at its Linux kernel and gives the attacker free rein to harm your device, causing instability. Early on, there were reportedly "indications" of this being a real threat, thus the fix that's rolling in for February.

Google stated that the problem was "limited" and saw "targeted exploitation," but this is still something users should be aware of. Continue to check your Pixel device — and other Android devices as this plagues all — for the fix.

What you need to know

• The Google Play Store is encountering an annoying crash seemingly without cause on Android.
• Reports claim the app is delivering a "keeps stopping" error message, a classic popup when an app unexpectedly closes, on phones and tablets.
• While Google has yet to formally acknowledge this issue, the most recent update for the Play Store involves Verified badges for VPNs.

Google's app store is encountering an issue on Android devices that's hampering user experiences.

Spotted by 9to5Google, the publication reports that the Google Play Store is encountering an annoying wave of crashes on Android. The crash doesn't appear to have vastly negative effects on the system's overall software (like a lockout/system freeze). What's been reported is an app error message, which states the following: "Google Play Store keeps stopping."

Anyone who's experienced an app crash on their Android device will recognize this quick message. Users are left with no choice but to close the app and re-open it in hopes that it doesn't become too frequent.

Google has yet to formally acknowledge these issues, likely because it's not affecting a vast majority of its users — not yet, anyway.

The post adds that the crash has happened on smartphones and tablets, such as the Pixel Tablet. The publication also reports that it's encountered the Play Store's crash "several times" in the "past 24 hours."

At the time of writing, we've not encountered an app error with the Play Store in testing via a Moto Edge Plus 2023 or a base Motor Razr 2023. Fortunately, the crashes don't impact the core functions of the store like downloading/installing. For now, if this is happening you and your device, waiting for a backend fix is likely your next course of action.

The Play Store hasn't had any major updates recently, aside from Google's introduction of Verified badges for "trusted" VPNs. The company detailed in a press release yesterday (Jan 28) that these badges are for companies with VPNs that have undergone an independent security review alongside displaying a committment to securing a user's data safely. These badges are arriving first for NordVPN, hide.me, and Aloha.

Others can begin taking the necessary steps for such verification.

Also, toward the end of last year, Google ditched the "Share Apps" feature from the Play Store. The function worked thanks to Android's Nearby Share protocol, which lets users send an app over the air to a friend or family member's device for download. With it gone, we're back to sharing links — which isn't too bad.

What you need to know

• Google highlighted the arrival of a new "Verified" badge on the Play Store, beginning with "trusted" VPNs.
• This new badge will be placed on apps that have gone "above and beyond" with protecting its users' data and security.
• VPNs must undergo a strict process, one that includes time for an independent review, as well, to determine its safety and data handling.

Google is highlighting a new update for the Play Store that aims to give users insight into how "protected" their data is before downloading an app.

As detailed today (Jan 28) in a blog post, Google states the Play Store will soon display a new "Verified" badge on apps that have gone "above and beyond" in user data protection. Google states this verification will appear via a VPN badge provided to apps that have completed MASA (Mobile Application Security Assessment) validation — an independent app review process.

Furthermore, these VPNs have also followed Google's set safety and security guidelines.

There's more that apps need to do before they are granted a Verified badge and seen as "doing the most" to protect a user's data. The post says apps must have an "Organization" account type, meet the Play Store's target API level, and submit a "Data Safety section declaration."

This final portion is important as Google states should be joined by two opt-in choices: an independent security review and "encryption in transit."

As previously stated, this Verified badge is rolling out for VPNs that are "trusted" for protecting your data. The post adds that VPNs (virtual private networks) like NordVPN, hide.me, and Aloha are among the first to have gone through the necessary hoops to demonstrate a higher level of security/safety.

NordVPN states, "We’re excited that the new ‘Verified’ badge will help users easily identify VPNs that meet high standards for security and privacy. In a market where trust is key, this badge not only provides reassurance to customers but also highlights the integrity of developers committed to delivering secure and reliable products."

Per the company, this consumer-facing badge will be displayed when viewing a VPN app's full details page, above the install button. Additionally, scrolling down to the "Data Safety" contents will show another badge, explaining that a specific app has been independently reviewed for security and safety measures.

The company has been pushing for more commitment toward user data safety and security ever since it tightened its ruleset. Google started clamping down on low-quality apps in the Play Store with its late 2023 rollout of revamped Android Developer criteria. The new rules required developers to have tested their app with at least 20 users for two weeks before publishing it on the store.

The Play Store has also shifted gears and started focusing more on user-created reviews to see how an app is performing — and if it's meeting standards.

What you need to know

• The Epic Games Store on mobile is inheriting a few fan-favorite features from the desktop version.
• Epic’s free games program is coming to Android and iOS, starting with monthly drops.
• Epic is still unsatisfied with Apple and Google’s sideloading policies, which it claims deters people from downloading the Epic Games Store.

Epic brought its popular Epic Games Store to Android and iOS (in the European Union), and now the mobile version is gaining a few fan-favorite features from its desktop counterpart. The company announcedthe changes in an update today, Jan. 24, which include bringing the free games program to mobile. Initially, Epic Games Store users will get one free game per month, until the store starts offering weekly free games later this year.

Users can claim the first game, Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, today through Feb. 20. Another game on the way is Bloons TD 6, according to Epic. These third-party titles join Epic’s own offerings, like Fortnite and Rocket League, which are already available on the mobile Epic Games Store. As Epic tries to build up its storefront as a gaming-focused app marketplace competing with Apple and Google, it’s adding 17 third-party titles on Android and 15 on iOS.

The disparity is due to the restrictions put in place by Apple and Google, namely “scare screens’ and Apple’s core technology fee, Epic claims. That’s also why there are fewer than 20 third-party titles available through the Epic Games Store on mobile thus far.

“So far none of the 100 highest grossing mobile game developers are willing to distribute their games on the Epic Games Store because of the Core Technology Fee and Apple and Google’s onerous restrictions and scare screens,” the company claims in a press release.

Epic also argues that more than half of the time a user tries to install the Epic Games Store on Android or iOS, they are deterred due to system prompts — which Epic describes as “scare screens.” The company says it takes 12 steps for a user to install the Epic Games Store on an Android phone. There have been 29 million installations of the Epic Games Store on mobile, short of Epic’s goal of 100 million by the end of 2024, according to the company. It alleges Apple and Google’s added friction is a key reason why.

Android Central has reached out to Google for comment on Epic’s claims about friction and “scare screens” in the installation process for the Epic Games Store. We will update this article when we hear back.

The situation isn’t all grim for the Epic Games Store. In addition to new mobile titles, Epic added persistent account login across games and auto-functionality on mobile. You can try out all these new features and games starting today.

What you need to know

• Google detailed its recent Play Store and Play Services updates, which sees the retiring of a feature: Share apps.
• The changelog states users will no longer be able to share apps with friends and family, which leveraged its Nearby Share protocol.
• The company unveiled "Share apps" in the Play Store in 2021 and it arrived as an easy, streamlined version of Android's Nearby Share.
• Google also rebranded Nearby Share to "Quick Share" earlier in 2024, pushing it closer to a true Apple AirDrop rival.

Google is starting to roll out its latest System update, but its changelog details the goodbye to a three-year-old feature.

The company's December updates for the Play Store continue as a support document details the arrival of version 44.1 (via 9to5Google). A standout in its patch notes is an update for phones that states "The Share apps feature on Google Play will be retiring."

The feature was limited to "free and publically available" apps on the Play Store for Android users. Users could previously access this by heading into the Play Store > Profile icon > Manage apps & devices. The "Share apps" feature was listed below the sync apps feature. Users could decide whether they wanted to send an app to another person or receive one.

Now, with v44.1 of the Play Store rolling out, this will soon disappear. The only other option to "send" an app to a friend will be to share its link through the Play Store directly.

The remainder of the changelog states Google is delivering "updated notifications from Google Play" to users. Additionally, the update adds "visual improvements" in the store for apps and games when searched in the respective tab.

The latest Systems update concerns Play Services, too, as that area sees the following changes in v24.49:

• [Phone] With the new cross-device services with invitations settings screen, you’ll be able to find, invite, and turn on cross-device features.
• [Wear] With this new feature, you’ll be able to update the timezone of your watch to match your current location, even when your watch is offline.
• [Wear] When you update your wearable device, Wi-Fi and cellular networks will now be prioritized over Bluetooth for faster downloads. If Wi-Fi isn’t available, you can choose your preferred network instead.

Google started rolling out Share apps in the Play Store in 2021 after the company originally debuted Nearby Share a year prior. When activated, users were taken to a list of shareable apps to send to another person. Users were then tasked to select their recipient and match the pairing code to ensure the app wasn't going to the wrong person. This was a much less strenuous way of sharing apps compared to Android's older option through Nearby Share specifically.

Google noted that paid apps were not shareable with this feature, similar to sideloaded applications. While it was a convenient feature, it's unclear how popular it was. It could be that not enough users utilized it, thus the closure.

It's worth remembering that Google and Samsung started gearing up for Nearby Share's rebrand during CES 2024. The former highlighted the change a few weeks earlier than the conference, as it became a true Apple AirDrop rival. The new peer-to-peer sharing platform was said to support Android and ChromeOS devices. Google also stated it was planning to work alongside PC creators to make Quick Share a pre-installed computer app.

More recently, it was rumored that Google could bring this new sharing protocol to Apple's Macs and iPhones.

Update (Nov. 5, 3:50 p.m. ET): Added comment from T-Mobile.

What you need to know

• T-Mobile started making changes to its mobile apps in January 2024, rebranding the T-Mobile Tuesdays app as the T-Life app.
• Soon, the T-Mobile app became a clone of the new T-Life app, leading to rumors that the carrier would shutter the original.
• Now, the T-Mobile app is officially removed from the Play Store, and the T-Life app looks to be the future.

T-Mobile's network went down earlier this week, but its original T-Mobile app may be down for good. The app, which became a clone of the carrier's new T-Life app this summer, was recently unlisted from the Google Play Store (via The Mobile Report). While it still appears to be working for users, it's not available for new downloads, and it's unclear how long the T-Mobile app will remain functional.

The "un-carrier" has slowly made sweeping changes to its mobile apps throughout the year. In January 2024, it rebranded the T-Mobile Tuesdays app — originally the place for rewards and promotions — to T-Life. Eventually, more features and functionality came to the T-Life app, including account management and chat support.

This summer, the T-Mobile app was essentially a duplicate version of the T-Life app. The two applications even shared the same logo. The carrier began marketing the T-Life app as the new "everything app" for the company, and sent emails to some customers that pushed them to switch. As such, it seemed like T-Mobile was moving away from the original app that first launched in 2012.

Now that the T-Mobile app is unavailable for download, it appears that the transition is complete. T-Mobile USA currently has 22 apps on the Google Play Store, but the original is not one of them. The app's most recent update came earlier this month, although it's unclear whether it'll receive any more updates — or when the app might stop working entirely.

For now, it may be finally time to switch to the T-Life app if you use a T-Mobile phone and haven't already. All signs point to the former T-Mobile Tuesdays app becoming the so-called "everything app" for the company.

Update

T-Mobile confirmed the change in a statement to Android Central. "The T-Mobile app has been removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store but customers who have previously downloaded it can continue to use it," a spokesperson said. "Customers can download the T-Life app – a one-stop-shop for all things T-Mobile where they can easily manage their account, upgrade their device, connect with Care and more."

What you need to know

• Google teases a much earlier Android 16 launch as a post states developers should look out for a "major" SDK release in Q2 2025.
• Google highlighted several new experiences for its Play Store that users can find like biometric payment authentication and more.
• Gemini in Android Studio picks up several updates to help app developers code their content quicker and find information regarding bugs/crashes.

Google detailed a series of Android SDK updates, including more for its Play Store and Gemini.

Google's updates kicked off by highlighting the future of its Android SDK. In a blog post, the company states it will bring "more frequent" SDK releases, beginning in 2025. Google states it will have a "major" release in Q2 that contains "behavior changes" for apps. This seems to be Android 16 as Google states developers should keep their eyes out for more information regarding its first preview. The company states app developers can prepare for the major Q2 2025 release by conducting the "annual compatibility testing" a few months sooner.

The minor SDK release in Q4 2025 will contain feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes to clean up any issues with the intended major Q2 launch.

Q1 and Q3 2025 will be minor, offering "feature only" updates to developers, per Google's set timeline.

Gemini in Android Studio Updates

Following the debut of "Gemini in Android Studio" in April, Google's latest updates today (Oct 31) bring several more capabilities to the AI model. The company is pushing the boundaries of its AI by boosting its coding capabilities, allowing it to edit your work by "implementing common design patterns." Several of Gemini's new code editing features include the ability to "modify and refractor" code based on custom prompts.

A commit message generation feature lets the AI analyze your changes and propose its own set of alterations. "Rethink and rename" lets Gemini generate names for your coding classes, methods, and variables. "Prompt Library" enables the AI to "automatically" save and manage a user's most frequently used prompts for easy recall. Users can also generate documentation for a select chunk of code by right-clicking.

In the Android Studio, Gemini can now auto-generate "composable" previews and simplify the visualization process for your intended UI. Moreover, "coming soon," Google says Gemini in Android Studio will support image attachments.

As Gemini in Android Studio picks up a Ladybug feature drop, developers can weed out bugs quicker and (hopefully) see fewer crashes. Additional features include test scenarios using local code context, build/sync error insights, and app quality insights for suggested crash fixes.

The latest updates to the Android Studio can be downloaded via the Canary channel.

Play Store Updates

In a separate blog post, the company states it's changing how apps are displayed on its store. These new formats include a full-screen mode for portrait videos in an app store listing. Google states a more "prominent" install button should now be visible to users.

Google highlights the Play Store's "personalized" query recommendations. According to the post, users can find these recommended search queries via the "Search Home." This is available for English with support for additional languages set to arrive "soon this year."

Google's "interest picker" arrived to help the Play Store understand where your interests are for accurate recommendations. The company rolled out a similar tool for games in July.

The post adds that the Play Store delivers a more robust security system when purchasing content. The company says users can now choose "on-device biometrics" when purchasing an app. This includes deciding between using your fingerprint or face to authenticate a purchase instead of inputting your account's password.

The final two updates for the Play Store involve boosting revenue for developers and their apps alongside Play Integrity API upgrades. Concerning the former, Google states that it has "proactively" encouraged users to assign a payment method on the Play Store and within the Android OS. This has reportedly "doubled the number of purchases" in 2024 and provided a nearly 3% increase in conversion rate.

Payment options have continued to expand as users find options like Paypal, Cash App, direct carrier billing, and more. Additionally, Google highlights its Play Store algorithm for pushing what content users might buy as additional content for their favorite apps.

Google also highlighted its "gentle nudge," an alert that reminds users of an item they've forgotten in their cart.

Google states, "in the coming months," developers can opt into improved Play Integrity API verdicts to bolster their app's defenses. What's more, Google's "app access risk" feature has exited beta. Developers can now "detect and respond" to apps that capture a user's screen or control their device to avoid security disasters.

A big part of the Android phone experience is downloading and using apps. You can visit the Google Play Store and search for an app for just about anything, from mindless or intense games to news, utilities, streaming, and more. Apps are available from major publishers as well as smaller independent companies and individuals. It’s crucial to keep apps updated at all times.

App updates aren’t just for when there’s a new version or new features added. They are sometimes released to fix bugs or critical security vulnerabilities. That’s why it’s important to know when an app update has been released and download it from the Google Play Store as soon as you can. This protects your device as well as your personal, sensitive information. Thankfully, it’s simple to update apps, both manually on the fly and automatically.

How to update Android apps manually

If you choose to review app updates and update them manually, you can do this in a few simple steps.

1. Open the Google Play app store.

2. Select your Profile icon at the top, right.

3. Select Manage apps & device.

4. Select Manage.

4. Select the app you want to update. It should be labeled with “Update available” if there is one.

5. Select the Update button in the top, right menu.

How to update Android apps automatically

It’s a good idea to set your smartphone to update apps automatically once updates are available. Keep in mind that can drain your battery more quickly. It also uses data so you might want to set the feature to work only when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

1. Open the Google Play app store.

2. Select your Profile icon at the top, right.

3. Select Settings.

4. Select Network Preferences to get the drop-down menu.

5. Select Auto-update apps.

6. Choose between the option of having your apps update using both Wi-Fi or mobile data or only with Wi-Fi. A third option allows you to update with a limited amount of mobile data, intelligently choosing a few of your most important apps and only using limited mobile data to get them updated.

7. To change this setting, follow steps 1-4 and select Don’t auto-update apps.

How to update single Android apps automatically

You can also choose to set automatic updates for only specific apps, ideal for ones that you know often release critical security updates, or the ones you most often use.

1. Open the Google Play app store.

2. Select your Profile icon at the top, right.

3. Select Manage apps & device.

4. Select Manage.

5. Find the app you want from the list to set for automatic updates and select it to open the Details page.

6. Select More, the three vertical dots.

7. Select Enable auto update.

8. To change this setting, follow steps 1-5 and tap Enable auto update to uncheck it.

Keep your apps up to date

As noted, it’s important to update apps as soon as an update is made available. This is not just to enjoy the latest and greatest features and the best experience, but to download important bug fixes and security patches, and to address security-related vulnerabilities. While an app you barely use might seem relatively innocuous, all it takes is one vulnerability for a hacker to tap into your phone. From there, they can wreak havoc and access your personal data.

Along with keeping all the best Android apps you have on your phone updated, you should also periodically take stock of the apps on your phone. If there are ones that are no longer supported or you realize you don’t use, uninstall them. You can always reinstall an app later if you decide you want it again. This also has the benefit of freeing up precious storage space on your device.

What you need to know

• In the high-profile Epic v. Google lawsuit, U.S. Judge James Donato issued an injunction that would make sweeping changes to the way Google operates.
• Many of these changes were set to take effect Nov. 1, but recently, Judge Donato issued a temporary administrative stay on all but one of them. 
• The decision of whether to hold off on forcing these changes while Google appeals now rests with the Ninth Circuit court, which is expected to extend the administrative stay.

Late last year, the jury in the Epic v. Google case returned a verdict that the Google Play Store had become an illegal monopoly. More recently, U.S. Judge James Donato issued an injunction outlining the changes Google would be forced to make to the Play Store as part of that verdict. Google is appealing that verdict, and while it does — a process that could lengthen — the company may not have to make most of the changes required by Judge Donato's injunction. 

Google and Epic both confirmed that Judge Donato issued a temporary administrative stay on Friday, Oct. 18 for all the measures in his injunction save for one (via The Verge). Initially, the steps had to be in place by Nov. 1, a deadline that was quickly approaching. Google received just 30 days to comply with Judge Donato's injunction before he issued the administrative stay.

Shortly after the details of Epic v. Google verdict and the injunction were announced, Google vowed to appeal. In an Oct. 7, 2024 statement, the company said that the injunction's measures "will cause a range of unintended consequences that will harm American consumers, developers and device makers."

"These Epic-requested changes stem from a decision that is completely contrary to another court’s rejection of similar claims Epic made against Apple — even though, unlike iOS, Android is an open platform that has always allowed for choice and flexibility like multiple app stores and sideloading," the company continued. "We are appealing that underlying decision and we will ask the courts to pause Epic’s requested changes, pending that appeal."

Additionally, Google updated that statement on Oct. 16, when it asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the changes that would be required by the injunction starting Nov. 1. It also asked Judge Donato to issue the administrative stay, which he did, but only long enough for the Ninth Circuit court to make a decision. 

The company also shared a fact sheet describing "what's at stake" and its full emergency motion to the Ninth Circuit court. In essence, Google is unsatisfied by the decision and believes the short turnaround time for requiring the injunction's changes would put users at risk. 

" At the request of a single competitor, Epic Games, the District Court ordered extensive redesigns to Play that will expose 100-million-plus U.S. users of Android devices to substantial new security risks and force fundamental changes to Google’s contractual and business relationships with hundreds of thousands of Google partners," the company said in the emergency filing.

"The court gave Google just three weeks to make many of these sweeping change — a Herculean task creating an unacceptable risk of safety and security failures within the Android ecosystem."

The Ninth Circuit court still needs to rule on whether the measures of the injunction will be delayed until it rules on Google's appeal. If it grants Google's emergency motion — which Judge Donato reportedly told people in the courtroom he expects the Ninth Circuit to, per The Verge — users might not see major changes to the Google Play Store for years.

For mow, the only measure of the injunction still set to take effect Nov. 1 is the order that bars Google make deals with OEMs or carriers that block the preinstallation of competing app stores. In theory, this could make it possible for third-party app stores — like the Epic Game Store — to ship pre-installed on devices sold by certain carriers or brands.  

What you need to know

• The Google Play Store's "Install" button could soon stay at the top of app pages, making it easier to download without scrolling back.
• The fixed header will show key app info like the icon, name, developer, average rating, and ad status, plus a dropdown for installing on other devices.
• While this feature isn't live yet, it's expected to roll out soon, though the exact timing is still uncertain.

A small but mighty change may be coming to the Google Play Store: the "Install" button could soon stay at the top of app pages, so you can grab an app without scrolling back up to find it.

For Android users, the Google Play Store is like a treasure trove of apps and games. But sometimes, those long app descriptions can hide the Install button, forcing you to scroll back up. It can be a real hassle when you're just trying to grab something quickly.

As per Android Authority, the Google Play Store version 43.1.19 has some code that hints at a new feature where the Install button will stick at the top of the page while you scroll through app details. If this pans out, this update means you won’t have to go back to the top to start installing, even for apps with super long descriptions.

Reverse engineering expert AssembleDebug managed to activate this feature for Android Authority and even shared a video showing how it works.

A quick look at the video highlights the benefits of having the Install button always visible. With it, users can dive into app details before hitting install, making sure they make informed choices.

The fixed header will feature essential details about an app, including its icon, name, developer, average Play Store rating, and whether it has ads. There'll also be a dropdown menu for installing the app on other devices.

While this change might seem small, it could give app developers a big boost. This feature makes things a lot easier and is likely to lead to more app downloads.

Detailed app store listings are great for informing users, but they can unintentionally hurt developers trying to provide all that info. With the Install button stuck at the top, the chances of users leaving the page without scrolling back up to install increase every time they scroll down.

Keep in mind that this feature isn’t live on Google Play yet, but it’s expected to be available to users soon—though there’s no guarantee on when that will happen.