F-Droid 2.0: A New Chapter for Android Freedom
After more than a year of development and 14 test releases, F-Droid has launched version 2.0, the largest update in the project's 10-year history. The release brings a complete redesign of the official F-Droid Android app, with a modern interface built on Kotlin Compose, better app discovery, improved search, and a smoother installation experience[1].
The announcement hit 1'090 points on Hacker News with 288 comments, making it one of the most discussed stories of the day[2].
What changed
The main navigation has been simplified into three core areas: Discover, Search, and My Apps. Categories are now integrated into Discover, making it easier to browse and explore. My Apps provides a central place to manage installed apps, updates, and potential issues[1].
Discovery and search
Finding the right app in a repository of thousands has become increasingly challenging. F-Droid 2.0 addresses this with expanded categories, including specialized ones for VPNs, firewalls, password managers, and navigation tools. The Games category alone now distinguishes between 17 different genres[1].
Search has been significantly improved. It now searches app descriptions, categories, and translated content, not just app names. The new search system also provides much better support for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean writing systems[1].
Powerful filtering options let users combine multiple criteria, such as app category, device compatibility, or anti-features. You can filter to show only Action Games compatible with your device that do not depend on non-free network services[1].
The installer, powered by EU regulation
Perhaps the most significant change is the unified installer. For years, the install experience on F-Droid was second-rate compared to the built-in app store, forced by Android's restrictions on third-party stores. Thanks largely to pressure from the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and antitrust actions around the world, Android now offers all app stores an option for a smoother install and update experience[1].
F-Droid 2.0 uses the new pre-approval API, so on supported devices users can confirm installation right after deciding to install, instead of after the app downloads. This brings the F-Droid experience much closer to what the built-in app store provides[1].
Automatic updates by default
F-Droid 2.0 now fetches and installs app updates by default. Existing preferences are still respected for users who want more control. The pull-to-refresh gesture for manually checking repositories for updates has been removed, since updates now happen automatically[1].
Why it matters
F-Droid remains the primary way to discover and install free and open source Android apps without tracking, ads, or engagement manipulation. In a mobile ecosystem increasingly dominated by Google Play, F-Droid provides an alternative that respects user freedom. The 2.0 release brings the app's user experience into the modern era without compromising on those principles[1].
Sources
[1] F-Droid: "F-Droid 2.0: A New Chapter for Android Freedom" (September 24, 2026)
[2] Hacker News discussion (1'090 points, 288 comments)