app submissions Archives

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Google blocked over 1.75 million Play Store app submissions in 2025

Google blocked over 255,000 Android apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user data and rejected more than 1.75 million apps from publication on Google Play due to policy violations. The company banned over 80,000 "bad developer accounts" and detected more than 1.75 million policy-violating apps. Google blocked 160 million spam ratings to prevent an average 0.5-star drop in targeted apps. Play Protect scans over 350 billion apps daily, identifying over 27 million malicious apps sideloaded from outside Google Play, and successfully blocked 266 million installation attempts from 872,000 unique risky apps. The Play Integrity API processes over 20 billion checks daily, and new hardware-backed signals and in-app remediation prompts were introduced in 2025. Android 16 includes built-in protections against “tapjacking attacks.”

AppWizard

August 25, 2025

Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store

Google is enhancing security measures for Android app distribution by verifying developer identities, starting next year. This initiative will affect all certified Android devices globally, with a phased rollout. Developers can still distribute apps through alternative app stores or sideloading, but anonymity will be reduced to combat malware and fraud. Google reported that sideloaded apps encounter over 50 times more malware than those on the Google Play Store, where developer verification has been required since 2023. Developers can sign up for early access in October 2025, with full verification expected by March 2026. By September 2026, apps installed in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand must comply, with a global rollout in 2027. Developers will need to provide their legal name, address, email, and phone number, which may lead some to register as businesses for privacy. Google will also offer a tailored Android Developer Console account for student and hobbyist developers.

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

Malicious Android ‘Vapor’ apps on Google Play installed 60 million times

Over 300 malicious Android applications, identified as adware, have been downloaded 60 million times from Google Play. These apps, part of an operation called "Vapor," have attempted to steal sensitive user information and generate 200 million fraudulent advertising bid requests daily. The campaign was first uncovered by the IAS Threat Lab and has been active since early 2024. A total of 331 malicious applications were identified, with significant infections reported in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Turkey, and South Korea. Notable offenders include AquaTracker, ClickSave Downloader, Scan Hawk, Water Time Tracker, Be More, BeatWatch, TranslateScan, and Handset Locator, each with varying download counts. The apps disguise themselves as utilities and employ tactics to evade detection, such as disabling their Launcher Activity and creating fullscreen overlays for ads. Users are advised to avoid unnecessary apps from unverified publishers and regularly check installed applications.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Amazon’s App Store On Android Is Closing: When And What You Need To Know

Amazon will close its 'Amazon Appstore for Android' on August 20, 2025. New app submissions targeting Android devices are no longer accepted, but developers can update existing applications until the closure date. Existing apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore will remain accessible until the shutdown, but their functionality may vary afterward. Users can still access these apps on Fire TVs and Fire tablets. The Amazon Coins virtual currency program will also be discontinued on the same date, and users must use their remaining balance before it expires, as no additional purchases can be made. Developers are not required to take action, but users are advised to seek alternatives on the Google Play Store and review their subscriptions linked to the Amazon Appstore.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

After Windows 11, Amazon is shutting down its app store on Android – The Times of India

Amazon will close its Android app store on August 20, 2025, and has stopped accepting new app submissions immediately. Developers can still submit updates for existing applications until the service is fully discontinued. In-app purchases will no longer be available in Japan on the Amazon Appstore, but will remain possible in other marketplaces until the shutdown date. Amazon will also discontinue its Coins digital currency on the same date, with refunds for unused Coins provided after August 20, 2025. The app store will continue to operate on Amazon's proprietary devices, such as Fire TV and Fire tablets. Additionally, Amazon's Windows app store, which supported Android apps, will end support by March 5, 2025.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Amazon will suspend support for its Appstore on Android

Amazon will close its Appstore for Android devices effective August 20. New app submissions will not be accepted, but developers can update existing apps until the deadline. The Appstore, operational in 200 countries, primarily serves Amazon devices. After the closure, previously downloaded apps may not function on Android devices. Amazon will also discontinue its virtual currency, Amazon Coins, with refunds for unused coins after the deadline. The Appstore will continue to operate on Amazon's proprietary devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablet.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Google blocked 2.36 million risky Android apps from Play Store in 2024

Google blocked 2.3 million Android app submissions to the Play Store in 2024 due to policy violations that posed risks to users. The company also banned 158,000 developer accounts for attempting to introduce harmful applications, including malware and spyware. The number of blocked apps increased from 2,280,000 in 2023 and 1,500,000 in 2022, aided by AI assistance in 92% of human reviews. Google prevented 1.3 million apps from gaining excessive permissions and upgraded Google Play Protect, which scanned over 200 billion apps daily and identified over 13 million new malware apps from outside Google Play. The Google Play SDK index added 80 trusted SDKs, and the Play Integrity API adoption led to an 80% reduction in abuse from untrusted sources. Google's untrusted APK installation blocking system expanded to several countries and thwarted 36 million installation attempts of 200,000 unique apps from reaching 10 million Android devices.