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F-Droid releases version 2.0 with revamped UI and smoother installations

The community-run Android app store F-Droid has launched its first major update in ten years, introducing a new Kotlin Compose interface and easier app installation.

F-Droid, the open-source Android app repository, has rolled out version 2.0, its biggest overhaul in a decade. The client has been rebuilt from scratch using Kotlin Compose, giving it a more responsive feel and optional support for Android’s Material design. The interface has been streamlined, moving less-used functions into overflow menus while highlighting key actions.

New browsing features include a broad set of categories—from firewalls to VPNs—and search now matches app descriptions, not just names. Installation has been made less cumbersome by leveraging Google’s pre-approval API, allowing users to confirm installs with two taps instead of navigating the traditional sideloading warning. While the visual upgrade is notable, the primary goal remains to make discovering and installing free, open-source apps easier and privacy-friendly.

Why it matters

The upgrade makes open-source Android apps more accessible, offering a privacy-focused alternative to the Play Store.

In this story

F-Droid 2.0Kotlin ComposeMaterial themingopen source appsapp installationGoogle pre-approval APIprivacy
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