F-Droid has released version 2.0 of its Android app, its largest upgrade in a decade, despite facing a Google policy change that could severely restrict independent app distribution. The redesign modernises the interface, improves discovery and search, and shifts key parts of the app to Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, signalling that F-Droid plans to continue operating long term.

Google intends to require developers distributing Android apps outside Google Play to register and verify their identities, potentially undermining F-Droid’s account-free model and other independent software sources. Google’s Full Distribution option includes a one-time $25 fee, government ID checks and compliance with its terms, while the free Limited Distribution option restricts apps to 20 authorised devices; F-Droid 2.0 adds broader categories, improved search and new discovery features.