Google to hide or remove nearly 1 million Android apps from the Play Store

Google will crack down on almost 900,000 forgotten Android apps in the Play Store later this year. According to analyst firm Pixalate, the Play Store contains roughly 869,000 apps that haven't been updated in the last 2+ years. They pose a security threat, which is why Google intends to make them unavailable around the release of Android 13.

Android apps that haven't received any updates for two or more years and linger forgotten on the Play Store will be hidden from search results or removed entirely from the store. (via CNET)

If hidden, the apps will presumably be downloadable by customers that have acquired them in the past. If removed, they will no longer be obtainable by anyone.

This change will take place later this year. Almost 1 million inactive Android apps will be hidden or removed from the Play Store around the planned release of Android 13 for Pixel smartphones in November.

Apple's App Store is following a similar path. According to analysts, the App Store contains roughly 650,000 inactive apps, and Apple will take measures to keep them away from the public.

Apple's solution to this problem isn't as transparent as Google's yet, but some iOS developers claim to know that Apple wants to remove outdated apps from its platform entirely.

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Mihai Matei - Senior Editor

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First Samsung device: SGH-A800

Mihai is a blogger and column writer at SamMobile. His first Samsung phone was an A800 which took a lot of beating, and a part of him still misses the novelty of the clamshell design. In his free time, he enjoys watching shows, documentaries, and stand-up comedy; listening to music, taking walks, and occasionally playing old(er) video games.

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