F-Droid, the well-known open-source app store for Android, has recently announced its support for the unattended updates API introduced in Android 12. This significant update now enables apps to be installed and updated in the background without requiring any user interaction, making F-Droid a more compelling alternative to the Play Store. Previously, F-Droid depended on a helper app with root access, but the new API eliminates the need for this additional step. The rollout of version 1.19 of F-Droid is being done meticulously and carefully to ensure utmost stability. F-Droid learned a vital trick and used for users.
Since its inception, Android has accommodated alternative app stores, albeit without granting them the same level of recognition and status as the Play Store. However, in recent times, Google has been focused on improving support for these alternative stores. The introduction of the unattended updates API in Android 12 represents a game-changing advancement in this regard. Interestingly, it has taken approximately one and a half years for one of the most popular distributors of open-source apps, F-Droid, to finally incorporate support for this long-awaited API.
F-Droid serves as a centralized repository for an extensive collection of free and open-source apps for Android users. Notably, the app store itself is also open source, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and inclusivity. Unlike pre-installed alternatives such as the Galaxy Store on Samsung phones, F-Droid does not possess the necessary permissions by default to facilitate background installations and updates without explicitly prompting the user for permission.
F-Droid’s integration of the unattended updates API marks a significant milestone for the app store and for Android users seeking alternatives to the Play Store. The support for this API streamlines the app installation and update process, enhancing the convenience and reliability of using F-Droid as a viable app store option. With its commitment to open-source principles and the ongoing efforts to ensure stability, F-Droid’s growth and continued popularity are assured in the increasingly diverse Android app ecosystem.