Play Integrity API Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Google’s Android Decision—Bad News For 50% Of All Users

Google will implement changes to app functionality on Android devices starting next month, affecting over half of all Android users. The changes are driven by the Play Integrity API, which aims to reduce fraud and data theft, resulting in an 80% reduction in unauthorized app usage. Devices running Android 13 and above will experience improved performance, while those on Android 12 or older may face slower performance. Google is also introducing enhanced security signals for developers to assess device trustworthiness. Over half of Android devices have not upgraded to Android 13 or later, and approximately 200 million users remain on Android 12, which no longer receives security patches. Users on Android 12 or 12L are advised to upgrade for better security and performance.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Google to Ramp Up Android Security With These New Features for Developers

Google has launched initiatives to enhance the security of its Play Store, focusing on reducing malicious and fraudulent applications. Key measures include upgrading the Play Integrity API to protect users from harmful apps and assist developers in addressing modified applications. Google Play Protect's threat detection will expand to target apps impersonating financial services, with Enhanced Financial Fraud Protection being rolled out to more markets. The app submission process will be streamlined with additional pre-review checks, and developers will receive notifications about policy compliance. Google has introduced "Government" and "Verified" badges for specific app categories and plans to expand this system. Over the past year, Google blocked 2.36 million apps violating Play Store policies and identified significantly more Android malware from third-party sources compared to those on the Play Store.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

Google Play Store will get more tools to protect users from scammy apps

Google has announced a plan to enhance the safety of its Play Store by implementing protective measures by 2025. Google Play Protect will target malicious applications impersonating financial apps, responding to a rise in fraudulent activities, including ad fraud. The company has already removed 180 fraudulent apps from the Play Store and will alert users about unsafe apps, especially those from outside the Google Play ecosystem. Google will extend its pilot program to additional countries facing malware-based financial threats. Users are encountering significantly more Android malware from external sources. Google aims to make it harder for malicious actors to deceive users and plans to introduce a "verified badge" for secure VPN applications, with plans to expand this to other app categories. For app developers, Google is enhancing the Play Integrity API tool and providing self-help tools for dealing with tampered apps, with features expected to roll out by May. Google is also improving support channels for developers, including expanding the Google Play Developer Help Community to additional languages.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

Google bolsters Android security for app developers and users

Google has announced a suite of improvements to enhance security within the Android ecosystem and the Google Play Store. Key advancements include: - Enhanced tools to protect businesses from scams and fraud. - Pre-review checks to identify policy and compatibility issues early in app development. - Transparent information on Google Play to build consumer trust. - Strengthened threat-detection capabilities using AI to combat malicious activities. Developers will receive earlier notifications about relevant policies within Android Studio, and the policy experience has been revamped for clearer updates and more time for changes. The Google Play Developer Help Community is expanding to facilitate knowledge sharing among developers. The Play Integrity API is being utilized for over 500 million daily checks to prevent fraud and abuse, with apps using these features seeing an 80% reduction in usage from unverified sources. Improvements for devices running Android 13 include enhanced security signals and automatic updates for developers. New badges for app categories, including a "Verified" badge for VPN apps, are being introduced to validate secure applications. Google is also focusing on creating a safe online experience for children and developing tools like the Credential Manager API for Digital IDs. Last year, investments in security measures prevented 2.36 million policy-violating apps from being published. Google Play Protect is evolving to counter new threats, and the company is collaborating with industry leaders to establish security standards through the App Defense Alliance.

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.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Outdated Devices Face Restrictions in Google Play’s Latest Update

Google Play has updated the Play Integrity API to enhance security for Android devices. The API verifies that applications run on secure, non-rooted hardware, reducing the risk of malware attacks. A new feature allows the API to check if devices have the latest software updates, enabling developers to restrict app functionality based on the device's security status. This is particularly important for financial and enterprise applications. The update will be available on devices running Android 13 and later, while those on Android 12 or earlier should use alternative security measures. The API's performance has also improved, with reduced latency for better communication between apps and the operating system. Automatic updates for developers will begin by May 2025.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Banking apps may require recent Android security updates

Google has introduced a new feature for the Play Integrity API that allows banking applications to identify devices that have not received a recent Android security update. This could result in restricted access to sensitive features for users with devices that have not been updated in over a year. The Play Integrity API helps verify the authenticity of software and devices, enhancing security for mobile banking. The update primarily affects users on older Android versions or those without recent security enhancements, as these devices are more vulnerable to cyber threats. Banking applications may limit features like mobile transactions for outdated devices and encourage users to update to maintain access.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Google’s beefing up Android app security, but not everyone’s going to be happy

Google is enhancing its Play Integrity API to provide faster and more secure device attestation for Android applications. The updated API will make it harder to spoof attestation checks and will introduce measures to verify that apps are installed via the Play Store, potentially affecting sideloaded applications. Average Android users can expect improved app performance, although some may receive notifications about outdated security updates. Developers can opt into the new system now, with a broader rollout planned for May 2025.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

Android Studio getting more Gemini to help app development

Google has introduced several updates for developers, enhancing Android Studio and the Play Store. Key features in Android Studio include Gemini Code Transforms for code modification, automatic commit message generation, a tool for renaming classes and variables, a prompt library for frequently used prompts, composable preview generation, documentation assistance, unit test scenario generation, build/sync error insights, and app quality insights. These features are available in the Android Studio canary channel and will be rolled out in stable form with the upcoming Ladybug Feature Drop in late December. In the Google Play Store, a fullscreen portrait video player for app listings is being introduced, which has shown to increase total watch time by 7%, video completion rates by 9%, and conversions by 5%. Google has encouraged users to set up payment methods, resulting in a doubling of purchase-ready accounts this year, exceeding half a billion users. Biometric authentication for purchases has tripled in adoption in 2024. The introduction of Cash App eWallet will offer an additional payment option for U.S. users, and inline reminders will prompt users browsing products in games. On the security front, Google is enhancing the Play Integrity API for improved app and device verification on devices running Android 13 and above, making it more difficult for attackers to bypass security measures.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

Google highlights an earlier Android 16 in Q2 2025 and more for Gemini

Google announced plans for more frequent Android SDK releases starting in 2025, with a significant update expected in Q2, likely related to Android 16, prompting earlier annual compatibility testing for developers. Enhancements to Gemini in Android Studio include features for modifying code, generating commit messages, and creating documentation, along with auto-generating composable previews. In the Play Store, Google is introducing a full-screen mode for portrait videos, a more prominent install button, and personalized query recommendations, initially supporting English. On-device biometric authentication for app purchases has been integrated, allowing fingerprint or facial recognition for transactions. Google has doubled purchase numbers in 2024 and increased conversion rates by nearly 3% by encouraging users to set up payment methods, now including PayPal and Cash App. The Play Integrity API is being enhanced to help developers protect their applications against security threats, with the "app access risk" feature now available to detect privacy-compromising apps.