These open-source apps have earned a permanent spot on my Android phone, but sadly, you won’t find them on the Play Store.

So what is this apps's hustle?

Google Play Store has lost nearly half of its apps since early 2024, dropping from 3.4 million to around 1.8 million. The sharp decline follows stricter quality policies that removed low-functionality ...

Code discovered in a pre-release Play Store build suggests Google may add alerts for apps removed from the marketplace.

An upcoming update to the Google Play Store may send you a warning if you have an app installed on your phone that doesn't ...

Android’s in-built security engine Google Play Protect has a new feature that conducts a real-time analysis of an Android app’s code and blocks it from installing the app if it’s considered ...

Included in the purge are static apps, those with limited functionality and content, and apps that crash, freeze, and don’t offer an “engaging user experience,’’ the company said. Google on Aug. 31 ...

As an open-source platform, Android has always been a Wild West of sorts regarding apps. Apple requires app makers to meet rigorous standards before apps can be published in the App Store; for Android ...

Jon Gilbert is a Features Writer for Android Police. I've covered Android since 2021, focusing on writing features and guides about Android apps and features that directly affect users. I've attended ...

Jake Peterson is Lifehacker’s Tech Editor, and has been covering tech news and how-tos for nearly a decade. His team covers all things technology, including AI, smartphones, computers, game consoles, ...

Michelle is Lifehacker's Associate Tech Editor, and has been reviewing games, laptops, phones, and more for over 10 years. She is based in New York City and holds a master's degree from NYU. Google ...

The Google Play Store’s massive catalog of 1 million apps could use better curation, especially for younger Android users. It’s all too easy for the cutest child-friendly game to become buried in ...