APK Archives

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

F-Droid’s biggest update in a decade is coming despite Google’s sideloading crackdown

F-Droid is releasing version 2.0, which features a complete rewrite of the app in Kotlin for better support and updates. The new interface follows Google’s Material Design, simplifying navigation into three sections: Discover, Search, and My Apps. The Discover tab has been redesigned for a more intuitive experience, with apps organized into sub-groups and the Categories tab removed. Enhanced search functionality includes privacy-focused exploration and filters for specific criteria. A new installation flow with a pre-approval API aims to streamline app acquisition. F-Droid is aware of upcoming Google developer verification measures, now set for 2027, requiring developers to create accounts and verify identities. Version 2.0 is still in development, with an alpha build available on APK Mirror but lacking all features. No specific release date has been announced.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Google could undo one of the most annoying recent changes to the Phone app

Google is revisiting user interface changes to its Phone app based on user feedback, particularly regarding the placement of the Contacts tab. In the latest beta version (v240.0.986973448), the Contacts tab is being reintegrated into the navigation bar between the Home and Keypad tabs, replacing its previous position in a sidebar. This change aims to provide quicker access to saved contacts. The new interface has been activated on test devices, but the timeline for public rollout is uncertain. An APK teardown can provide insights into potential future features, though not all predicted features may reach the final public version.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

F-Droid gets its biggest update in a decade with new UI and smoother app installs

F-Droid is a community-driven repository for free and open source Android applications, recently undergoing a transformation with the release of F-Droid 2.0. The new client is redesigned using Kotlin Compose, enhancing responsiveness and introducing optional Material theming for a visually appealing interface. The update simplifies app discovery and installation, now offering a vast library of thousands of open source applications. F-Droid prioritizes user autonomy without tracking behavior for ads. It features extensive categories for specialized needs and improved search functionality that returns results based on app names and descriptions. Installation has been streamlined using Google’s pre-approval API, allowing users to confirm installations through a simplified pop-up, improving the user experience despite requiring one additional click compared to the Play Store.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Forget new models — Gemini’s working on what really matters: dark mode options

The Gemini app for Android is introducing new features aimed at enhancing user experience. Upcoming updates include innovative dark mode controls that allow users to override their device's system settings, enabling them to choose their preferred mode specifically for Gemini. This feature will be exclusive to the Gemini app and will not affect other Google applications. Additionally, a notification history feature will be added, allowing users to archive and review past notifications via a bell icon in the app. Users will also be able to long-press notifications to open or remove them. These developments are part of version 17.61.19.sa.arm64 of the Google app for Android, although not all features may make it to the final version.

BetaBeacon

September 24, 2026

Android Auto may finally give GameSnacks the full screen treatment

Google is preparing a full-screen GameSnacks experience for Android Auto by removing the navigation rail from both the GameSnacks menu and games themselves, making it consistent with other Android Auto games.

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Tesla Optimus Gen 3 design possibly revealed in Android app

Tesla's next-generation Optimus humanoid robot, referred to as Optimus Gen 3, has been previewed through new 3D design assets found in the Android version of Tesla’s mobile app. These assets, which include renders labeled “gen3” and images comparing Optimus Gen 2.5 and Gen 3, indicate significant design changes. The robot features a cleaner aesthetic with enclosed joints, a unified torso shell, thicker forearms, slimmer wrists, and redesigned legs that resemble integrated boots. The assets began appearing in app builds around August 27, 2026, with higher-resolution versions on September 5. Tesla initially planned to unveil Optimus Gen 3 by the end of Q1 2026, but this timeline was missed. Elon Musk later indicated that the reveal was postponed to mid-year for strategic reasons. Tesla has also started auditing suppliers in China for Gen 3 production, suggesting a potential reveal is approaching.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

5 Unique Android Apps Worth Your Time

More than 70% of the world’s smartphones operate on the Android platform. Users often struggle to find apps that address specific issues, leading to a time-consuming search through numerous options. A curated list presents five applications that provide practical solutions to common mobile frustrations. 1. AppsFree: Monitors Google Play for premium apps, games, and wallpapers that temporarily drop to free, allowing users to snag deals that would otherwise be missed. Developed by ts-apps GmbH, it enables users to blacklist developers and filter low-quality offers. 2. Monocles Browser: Prioritizes user privacy by disabling JavaScript and cookies by default, reducing tracking. It has an APK size of approximately 13–14 MB and integrates ad blocking and supports Tor/Orbot proxy networks. Created by Arne-Brün Vogelsang, it offers a clean browsing experience. 3. Amarok: Allows users to instantly hide files and applications without resource-intensive encryption by obfuscating filenames and signatures. It supports multiple hiding modes and includes a “panic button” feature for quick data concealment. 4. Buckwheat: Budget manager: Requires manual input of total budget and days to cover, promoting financial reflection. It calculates daily spending allowances and provides detailed analytics. Developed by Danil Zakhvatkin, it has a user rating of around 4.6–4.7/5. 5. Chill Live Wallpaper: Offers minimalist landscapes that sync with local time and weather, providing a visually soothing experience. Compatible with Android 7.1+, it is ad-free and has a compact APK size of 5–6 MB.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

Google could bring the Pixel 11’s customized My Pixel colors to older Pixels

Google has updated the My Pixel app for the Pixel 11 series, introducing a search bar and an app icon that matches the phone's color scheme. Evidence from version 8.9.1 of the app suggests that Google is considering allowing the app icon to reflect the body color of the Pixel 9, although this feature is not available for the Pixel 10 series. The color-matched icons will be available for select Pixel 9 models, including colors like Hazel, Rose Quartz, and Obsidian, but will not include the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Additionally, a redesign of the My Pixel app icon is planned for all devices, potentially featuring a lighter blue shade and a white Google logo. There is uncertainty regarding when the Pixel 10 series might receive the color-matched app icon feature.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

Optimus Gen 3 Leaked: 5 Details From the APK Images

Images of Tesla's next-generation Optimus robot, Gen 3, were leaked from the Tesla Android app APK by researcher @wholemars, showcasing design assets of both Gen 2.5 and Gen 3. The leak reveals significant design evolution, suggesting enhancements in aesthetics and functionality. Preliminary observations indicate that Gen 3 may feature advanced sensors and improved mobility, along with a more intuitive user interface. This model could position Tesla as a leader in the humanoid robot market and enable diverse applications, from personal assistance to industrial automation.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

RatHat Android Malware Uses AI to Target Banking Credentials in Real Time

A newly identified strain of Android malware, RatHat, utilizes generative AI to manipulate infected devices in real time. It is linked to threat actors believed to be operating out of China. RatHat serializes the device’s live Accessibility tree into XML format and communicates with a generative AI assistant to return screen coordinates, identify text, and issue navigation commands. The malware employs WebView-based HTML overlays to capture login credentials from banking and cryptocurrency applications and can infiltrate payment apps like WeChat and Alipay to extract PINs. It also features an SMS receiver and notification listener to intercept OTPs and 2FA codes. RatHat is disseminated through smishing, malvertising campaigns, and misleading third-party forums. It employs anti-analysis techniques such as container tampering, manifest bombing, DEX bytecode poisoning, string encryption, and anti-debugging. Once installed, it gains Accessibility access, activates Developer Options, and enables Wireless Debugging, allowing it to connect to the device's local ADB service and launch control agents with shell-level privileges. The malware captures raw touch coordinates to reconstruct PINs and unlock patterns, bypassing screenshot protections. It also includes persistence mechanisms that prevent uninstallation by presenting a fake Google Play failure overlay and automatically reinstalling itself if removed.