… The changes only really kick in when you try to install apps outside the Play Store . Later this year, Android will start checking whether an app is registered to a verified developer. …
… By • April 17, 2026 • • • Add AndroidAuthority on Google Megan Ellis / Android Authority TL;DR Google is testing a redesigned Games tab in the Play Store that adds prominent, scrollable genre bubbles. …
… With rumors of Google working on its new Aluminium OS platform, this kind of labeling system feels like the company is laying the groundwork for future large-screen Android devices. Alongside the new badge system, Google is making a handful of smaller changes to the Play Store. …
… Still, Google’s changes to app installs from outside its Play Store ecosystem mark a fundamental shift in how Android handles user software. …
… The feature is expected to make its way to the stable Android 17 release. Android 17 has stepped into its platform stability phase with the Beta 3 released yesterday . That means most of the changes we see with the latest build should make it to the stable version of Android 17. …
… With Android Canary, Google is adding two new options to the menu, allowing users to control whether specific sounds are played through Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids or not. Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority ? …
… Aptoide’s lawsuit makes clear that some rivals think that still doesn’t amount to a level playing field. Would you stick with Android if the Play Store was your only option for apps? …
… By • May 7, 2026 • • • Add AndroidAuthority on Google Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority TL;DR Google is making it mandatory to have Play Services for its next-generation reCAPTCHA system on Android. …
… Better support for widgets on external displays: With Android 17 Beta 3, widget padding, text size, and layout attributes automatically scale based on the density difference between the app’s original context and the target display. …
… Google has shared details of its April update to Google Play services, which includes a small but meaningful privacy change in Google Wallet . Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority ? …
