F-Droid 2.0
F-Droid 2.0 launches with a complete Kotlin Compose UI redesign, enhanced search, refined app discovery, and a unified installer leveraging Android's session API.
read it Read this to understand the architectural changes, UI modernizations, and new installation APIs replacing the legacy Privileged Extension.
summary
F-Droid has released version 2.0, its first major app overhaul in a decade, completely rewritten in Kotlin and Jetpack Compose. The update streamlines navigation into Discover, Search, and My Apps, improves multi-criteria filtering, and introduces a unified installer using Android's session API to bypass the need for the deprecated F-Droid Privileged Extension. It also drops support for Android 6, updates privacy/Tor settings, and simplifies app discovery with granular categories and CJK search support. While long-time users previously relied on alternatives like Droid-ify for a better interface, this release brings the official client closer to modern Android design standards.
key points
- Rewritten using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose to reduce technical debt and lower the barrier for contributors.
- Adopts Android's modern session installer API, allowing background updates without requiring the F-Droid Privileged Extension.
- Overhauls app discovery with expanded categories including 17 game genres and improved search supporting descriptions and CJK languages.
- Drops support for Android 6 and temporarily removes app-wiping panic features while evaluating alternatives.
who should read it
Android power users, open-source developers, and privacy-conscious users relying on alternative app ecosystems.
discussion positive
consensus
Commenters largely welcome the long-overdue UI modernization and the removal of the clunky Privileged Extension, though many note they had previously migrated to third-party clients like Droid-ify or Obtanium.
pushback
Some users criticize the new design conventions for lacking clear visual boundaries and complain that upgrading to version 2.0 is confusing because older versions still serve legacy builds by default.
I have been using droid-ify on GrapheneOS for a few years now; because F-Droid ui is terrible, and the privilege extention has been such a pain to configure and get working without issues on my previous lineageOS phone. Happy to see this major overhaul; and i'm glad the FPE is being phased out.
Highlights user frustration with the old UI and Privileged Extension setup, explaining why alternatives like Droid-ify gained popularity.
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