third-party apps Archives

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Googlebooks could make switching between Android and PC much easier

Google has released Play Services v26.33 and Play Store v52.9, introducing several enhancements aimed at improving user experience across devices. Key updates include: - Googlebook Integration allows access to phone apps from Googlebooks on PC and mobile devices. - The Ask Play feature now supports video highlights of apps and games. - New developer features support Utilities-related processes across multiple platforms, including phones, PCs, TVs, Wear OS, and Android Auto. - Enhanced connectivity features support related processes in Google and third-party apps. Additional changes in Play Store v52.9 include: - A Home and Search chip for large-screen device optimization. - Automatic dismissal of the fallback overlay during app installations. - Curated app bundles presented after downloading an app. - Improved Play Protect for better detection of harmful apps. - An audiobook samples cluster added to the app’s home page. The rollout of these features may occur gradually, meaning not all users will receive updates simultaneously.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Did you know the Gallery app on your Samsung phone has a secret menu? Here’s how to find it

Samsung's Gallery app has a hidden menu called Gallery Labs that offers additional features beyond the well-known tools. To enable Gallery Labs, users must open the app, access the menu, go to Settings, tap on About Gallery, and then tap the version number ten times. Once enabled, users can lock albums with a PIN or fingerprint, create slideshows with selected items, save images as PDFs, add a seek bar for videos, enable a timeline view for albums, and turn off video previews. Gallery Labs is regularly updated, and users can reset settings or disable the menu if needed. Similar hidden features exist in other Samsung apps like Wi-Fi settings and My Files.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Survey says this fundamental Play Store change has many readers excited

Google is implementing significant changes to the Play Store, including stricter controls on sideloading apps from outside its official Store and allowing apps from various third-party stores. A poll conducted with nearly 2,000 votes showed that about 47% of respondents are enthusiastic about the increased options, while 34% expressed concerns about potential complications from navigating these new offerings. Just under 20% were uncertain about the impact of these changes. Some commenters believe the shift may primarily benefit developers rather than consumers, while others see it as a simplification of the app installation process.

Tech Optimizer

August 16, 2026

Best Android Antivirus Apps 2026: Tested and Ranked

Bitdefender Mobile Security is rated as the best antivirus app for Android in 2026, achieving a 100% detection rate, 0.5% battery drain, and unobtrusive operation. The evaluation compared five antivirus applications on a Galaxy S26 Ultra, assessing detection rates, battery drain, scan speed, and permissions. Other notable antivirus apps include Norton 360 for Mobile, which is recognized for its features; Avast Mobile Security, known for its free version; McAfee Mobile Security, which excels in scam call and text filtering; and NordVPN Threat Protection, praised for web and Wi-Fi security. Most users may not need an antivirus app due to built-in protections like Google Play Protect, which automatically scans apps. However, specific scenarios warrant the installation of an antivirus app, such as sideloading apps, receiving scam texts and calls, assisting relatives, conducting banking and shopping on mobile, and using public Wi-Fi. The top five antivirus apps tested are: 1. Bitdefender Mobile Security: 100% detection, 0.5% battery drain, 31-second scan time. 2. Norton 360 for Mobile: 99.9% detection, 0.9% battery drain, 24-second scan time. 3. Avast Mobile Security: 99.9% detection, 0.7% battery drain, 26-second scan time. 4. McAfee Mobile Security: 99.78% detection, 1.0% battery drain, 34-second scan time. 5. NordVPN Threat Protection: 95.60% detection of web threats, 0.2% battery drain. Battery consumption varied, with NordVPN being the lightest and McAfee the heaviest. Permissions requested by each app also varied significantly, with Bitdefender requiring the most extensive permissions. Users are advised to check for legitimate antivirus apps by verifying the developer, installation count, update history, lab participation, and permission requests. Free antivirus apps like Avast and AVG offer effective protection but may lack some features of paid versions. Users should be cautious of fake security apps that mimic legitimate ones. If malware is suspected, users can run scans with Google Play Protect or other anti-malware apps and follow specific steps to remove malware if detected.

BetaBeacon

August 14, 2026

Aptoide becomes the first rival app store to return to Google Play in the US

Aptoide, a Portugal-based app distributor, has returned to Google Play in the U.S. after more than a decade, taking advantage of new options that allow competing Android app stores to be accessed directly from Google Play.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Which Windows 11 Update Is Causing Problems in 2026? – TheZeroNet

KB5094126, released in June 2026, is causing significant issues for Windows 11 users, including BSODs, boot failures, BitLocker lockouts, and problems launching Office applications. This update has particularly affected HP enterprise hardware, leading to BitLocker recovery loops and black screens. The issues stem from disk space limitations related to Secure Boot certificate handling and restricted EFI partition space. Affected users are advised to locate their BitLocker recovery keys and consider workarounds, such as launching Office applications directly. Windows 10 users are also experiencing similar problems due to the related update KB5094127. Microsoft is expected to release fixes in subsequent updates, including KB5101650 in July 2026.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

Your Android Phone Can Now Automatically Back Up Documents – Here’s How

Google Play Services version 26.26 has introduced a new backup feature for Android users that automatically backs up documents in various formats (.DOC, .PPT, .XLS, .PDF) from devices to Google Drive. This feature can be activated through Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Backup settings, where a new Documents category will appear. Backed-up documents will be stored in a folder named Android backups within Google Drive, but users should monitor their storage space as this will utilize their cloud storage. Alternative backup methods include using manufacturer-specific features or third-party apps like Syncthing.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Miss Samsung Messages? This unofficial app brings it back, including RCS

Samsung has officially ceased operations of its Samsung Messages app in the U.S. Users will need to transition to Google Messages, as Samsung Messages is no longer available for sending or receiving texts. A new app called Messages by OzarksMade is in beta testing and aims to replicate the One UI messaging experience, supporting SMS, MMS, RCS, group chats, and conversation categories. However, users must have Google Messages installed for RCS to function, as third-party apps cannot access Google's RCS infrastructure directly. The app is planned for public release at a one-time purchase price of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: What you need to know In a notable shift for messaging on Galaxy devices, Samsung has officially ceased operations of its Samsung Messages app in the U.S. However, a promising new contender has emerged to fill the void. The app, aptly named Messages by OzarksMade, seeks to recreate the beloved One UI messaging experience that many users have come to appreciate. This innovative app supports a range of messaging functionalities, including SMS, MMS, RCS, group chats, and even conversation categories. It is important to note that users will still need to have Google Messages installed, as Google's RCS infrastructure remains closed to third-party applications. Currently, the app is in beta testing, with plans for a public release at a modest one-time purchase price of [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: What you need to knowSamsung Messages no longer works in the U.S., but a new app aims to recreate the familiar One UI messaging experience.Messages by OzarksMade supports SMS, MMS, RCS, group chats, and conversation categories.You'll still need Google Messages installed since Google's RCS infrastructure isn't open to third-party apps.The app is currently in beta, with a public release planned later for a one-time purchase price of $0.99.Samsung discontinued its Samsung Messages app in the U.S. earlier this month, but a new third-party app aims to bring back the same experience, complete with the familiar One UI design and RCS support.Earlier this year, Samsung confirmed that Samsung Messages would stop working in the U.S. beginning in July 2026, encouraging users to switch to Google Messages instead. That deadline has now passed, and Galaxy users in the U.S. can no longer send or receive messages through Samsung Messages.Samsung Messages features like conversation categories. Chat themes are still missing for now, but the developer says they're already planned for the next update.Since Samsung retired its own messaging app, the company has been directing users towards Google Messages as the default messaging app on Galaxy phones. And while Google Messages has improved significantly over the past few years and now offers many of the same features, it still doesn't completely replicate the Samsung Messages experience. That's exactly the gap this app is trying to fill.Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of AndroidThere is one important limitation, though. Because Google doesn't allow third-party apps direct access to its RCS infrastructure, you'll still need Google Messages installed in the background for RCS to work. Even so, you'll continue using Messages by OzarksMade as your primary messaging app.I haven't had a chance to try the beta myself just yet, but I'll be going hands-on with it very soon. If you're interested, you can already sign up for the beta through the developer's website.Once development is complete and the app leaves beta, the developer says it will be available for a one-time purchase of $0.99." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].99. Earlier this year, Samsung announced that its messaging service would be phased out by July 2026, prompting users to transition to Google Messages. That timeline has now elapsed, leaving Galaxy users in the U.S. without access to Samsung Messages for sending or receiving texts. While Google Messages has made significant strides in functionality over recent years, it has yet to fully replicate the user experience that Samsung Messages provided. This is where Messages by OzarksMade aims to bridge the gap, offering a familiar interface and essential features that resonate with former Samsung Messages users. Despite its potential, there is a notable limitation to consider. Due to restrictions imposed by Google, third-party apps cannot directly access RCS capabilities. Therefore, while Messages by OzarksMade can serve as your primary messaging platform, Google Messages must remain installed in the background to facilitate RCS messaging. For those eager to explore this new app, the beta version is available for sign-up through the developer's website. As I prepare to test the app myself, it appears to be an exciting development for users seeking a seamless messaging experience reminiscent of Samsung's original offering. Once the beta phase concludes, the app will be available for a one-time fee, making it an accessible option for many." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Quick ways to clear cache and fix software conflicts on Android phones

Modern Android smartphones can experience sluggish behavior over time due to the accumulation of temporary data files or conflicts between applications. To enhance performance without a factory reset, users can follow these six methods: 1. Clear individual app cache by navigating to settings, selecting the app, and choosing the clear cache option. 2. Wipe browser cache and saved cookies by accessing browser settings, going to the privacy menu, and selecting the clear browsing data option. 3. Use built-in device care and optimization tools found under "device care" or "storage optimization" in settings to remove unnecessary files and cache. 4. Boot into safe mode to identify problematic third-party apps by pressing and holding the power button and selecting the safe mode prompt. 5. Reset app preferences to fix permission bugs by navigating to the main Apps menu, tapping the menu icon, and selecting the reset app preferences option. 6. Keep the system and apps fully updated by checking for system updates in settings and ensuring all installed apps are up to date in the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Third-party app stores are coming to Android soon

Beginning next week, third-party Android app stores in the United States will gain access to the Google Play Store through the Play Catalog Access Program. This program allows developers to submit app and game listings for external Android app stores, which will be downloadable directly from the Google Play Store. Google Play's service fees will still apply to these transactions. This change follows a court order resulting from a legal dispute between Epic Games and Google, which began in 2020. A U.S. District Court judge mandated changes to the Play Store in 2024 after ruling against Google. In November, Google and Epic reached a settlement proposing modifications to enhance developer choice and competition. Third-party app stores will incur a service fee of ,000 for an onboarding security review and an annual fee of ,000 to maintain access to the Play catalog. However, these app stores cannot use the Play Store for distributing their apps outside the United States. Earlier this year, Google announced a reduction in its commission for app purchases to 10% and introduced outside billing options within the Play Store.