F-Droid, a third-party app repository for free and open-source Android software, has released version 2.0 of its Android app. This update is described by the F-Droid team as a complete redesign, featuring a modern interface, improved app discovery, and enhanced search capabilities.
Key parts of F-Droid have been rewritten in Kotlin, with the user interface built using Jetpack Compose. The team states this transition will help deliver improvements more quickly in the future.
The release comes as Google prepares to implement policy changes that could affect third-party app distribution. Google's plans, announced in August 2025, involve extending developer verification to all Android apps that can be installed on a device. Developers seeking broad distribution outside the Google Play Store will need to register with Google and verify their identities, potentially involving a one-time fee and government-issued ID.
A board member for F-Droid, Marc Prud’hommeaux, stated in September 2025 that these plans could end the F-Droid project as it is currently known. Google has since offered a workaround for unverified developers, but it involves a complex process for users, including enabling developer mode and a 24-hour waiting period.
The first phase of these restrictions is set to begin at the end of September 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The new rules are expected to apply to the rest of the world starting in 2027. F-Droid 2.0 is scheduled to roll out in the coming weeks.