app listings Archives

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Android malware Albiriox abuses 400+ financial apps in on-device fraud and screen manipulation attacks

A new malware-as-a-service (MaaS) called Albiriox has emerged, targeting banking and cryptocurrency applications, particularly focusing on Austrian users. It is marketed on the dark web and employs deceptive tactics, such as mimicking legitimate businesses and creating fake landing pages and app listings on the Google Play Store. Victims are tricked into providing their phone numbers, leading to the delivery of a malicious APK file via SMS or WhatsApp. This APK acts as a dropper, designed to bypass detection methods and requests permissions under the guise of a “software update” to download the actual malicious payload. Once installed, it can take control of the device or function as an infostealer, extracting sensitive information like phone numbers and passwords, which is sent to a Telegram channel. Cleafy researchers suggest that the Albiriox campaign is linked to Russian cyber actors based on their activities on cybercrime forums and communication style.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Starting March 1, Google will warn and ‘label’ Android apps that … – The Times of India

Google is updating its Play Store to improve smartphone battery efficiency by addressing apps that prevent devices from entering Sleep mode. This initiative, developed with Samsung, targets "excessive partial wake locks," which keep the CPU active in the background. Apps will be flagged if their user sessions exceed 5% of excessive wake locks over a 28-day period. Starting March 1, 2026, apps maintaining a non-exempt wake lock for over two hours in 24 hours will face penalties, including potential removal from recommendation lists and warning badges on their listings. Google aims to help users identify apps that may cause battery drain. A beta rollout began in April 2025, and Google has provided tools for developers to monitor wake lock usage and battery consumption.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

I’m tired of ‘free’ apps that are just trying to bully me into paying

In 2025, there is a notable decline in the availability of truly free smartphone applications, as many users are shifting towards privacy-focused, open-source, or self-hosted options. The monetization strategies of developers have led to free apps becoming nearly unusable without paid subscriptions, creating a situation where users feel misled by the marketing of these apps. Historically, free apps primarily relied on advertisements, but now many have stripped their free tiers to the point where users must pay to regain access to functionalities that were once available for free. This trend has caused frustration among users, particularly in regions with weaker currencies, where subscription costs can be prohibitive. Popular applications like Duolingo, CapCut, and Evernote have progressively restricted their free offerings, pushing users towards premium tiers. While there is an understanding of the need for monetization, misleading advertising and a decline in user experience are major concerns. Some apps have successfully balanced monetization with user satisfaction by offering functional free versions alongside premium features, and regional pricing can make subscriptions more accessible. Developers are encouraged to maintain transparency in their marketing practices to avoid user confusion.

BetaBeacon

November 13, 2025

Google Play Store rolls out dedicated XR section for apps and games

Google Play Store has updated its app listings to include a carousel of chips for XR headsets, allowing users to see information specific to those devices. Additionally, there is now a dedicated section for XR headsets in the Games and Apps tabs, making it easier to discover XR-friendly apps for Android XR devices.

AppWizard

November 12, 2025

Google to Warn Users About Battery-Draining Apps, Plans Red Labels on Play Store by 2026

Google will introduce a proactive alert system for Android by March 2026 to identify battery-draining applications. This system will flag apps that maintain more than two hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period across at least 5 percent of user sessions over 28 days. Users will receive warnings about problematic apps, which will also display red battery alerts in the Google Play Store. Developers of poorly optimized apps may face reduced visibility in the Play Store. Google collaborated with Samsung to enhance the system's accuracy, ensuring legitimate background processes are not flagged. This initiative aims to empower users and encourage developers to optimize their applications for better battery performance.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Google Play Store brings a better way to manage apps across all your devices

The Google Play Store update to version 48.8 introduces a new "Uninstall" button on individual app listings, allowing Android users to remotely uninstall applications from secondary devices linked to the same Google account. This feature simplifies app management for users with multiple devices and complements the existing method of uninstalling apps through the "Manage apps & devices" section. The update aims to enhance user convenience and improve the overall app management experience.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

6 Android Apps Caught Recording Conversations

Security researchers from ESET discovered that 12 malicious Android chat applications, including Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Rafaqat رفاق, and Chit Chat, were found to covertly harvest users’ messages and deploy a remote access trojan called VajraSpy. Six of these apps were available on Google Play before being flagged for suspicious activity, resulting in approximately 1,400 downloads, primarily targeting users in India and Pakistan. The spyware could extract messages from encrypted chat platforms, record ambient sounds in real time, and intercept communications on apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The operators used honey-trap tactics to entice users into installing the apps, which requested permissions typical of espionage tools, such as RECORD_AUDIO and access to notifications and accessibility services. Users are advised to uninstall these apps and review permissions to protect against potential threats.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

Meta is killing Messenger on desktop, here’s what you need to do

Meta has announced the discontinuation of its Messenger desktop applications for Windows and macOS, removing them from the Microsoft Store and the Mac App Store. The Messenger desktop app for Windows will cease functionality on December 14, 2025, while macOS users will go through a 60-day deprecation period before being redirected to Facebook in their web browser. Users are encouraged to transition to browser-based messaging, which remains accessible. Windows users can continue to use either the Facebook app or the browser version of Messenger, while macOS users will exclusively use the browser. The Messenger app listings have been removed from both app stores, and users should prepare for the transition to preserve message history. To ensure a smooth transition, users should enable secure storage for message history, select their preferred access point, and log in to Messenger.com if they do not have a Facebook account.

AppWizard

October 20, 2025

Launch apps leak: MLB, Synth Riders, FitXR coming to Android XR

Samsung is set to launch its Project Moohan Android XR headset, which will be revealed online tomorrow night. The headset will feature partnerships with Adobe, the MLB, and the NFL, offering a variety of spatial applications at launch. Users will have access to popular apps like FitXR, Synth Riders, and Cubism, which have been successful on Meta’s Quest VR headsets. The Google Play Store will showcase dedicated Android XR apps marked with a “Made for XR” badge, indicating their optimization for the new headset. A list of launch titles is being compiled, promising a diverse content library for early adopters.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Google’s mandate eliminates “ugly” Android home screens

Google has revised its Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA), specifically section 5.3, to grant Android app developers a "nonexclusive, worldwide, and perpetual license" to modify app icon colors and themes. This change is intended to encourage compliance among developers regarding branding changes. The new terms will take effect on September 15th for new developer accounts, and existing developers must accept the updated agreement by October 15th to maintain their app listings on the Google Play Store. Developers are required to provide a monochromatic version of their app icon to support themed icons, which will enhance the visual experience for users by creating a more cohesive home screen. Non-compliance may result in removal from the Play Store.