F-Droid is preparing its most significant update in a decade, featuring a redesigned interface based on Google Material Design. The application has been rewritten in Kotlin to facilitate more frequent future updates.
The new navigation structure includes Discover, Search, and My Apps sections. The updated search system allows filtering by categories, ad-free status, and offline functionality, while a new installation mechanism based on the pre-approval API streamlines the process.
The platform now supports automatic batch updates for installed applications. F-Droid developers have criticized Google's recent restrictions on third-party app installations, which now require a complex nine-step process and a 24-hour waiting period.
Starting in 2027, Google will require developers to undergo verification, provide government-issued identification, and pay a fee of $25 to distribute apps. F-Droid is currently encouraging developers to reject these verification requirements.
The F-Droid 2.0 update is currently in development. While an alpha version is available on APK Mirror, it does not yet include all planned features, and the official release date remains unannounced.
