MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Your next Android app may detect if your phone’s been hacked before you notice, thanks to a new Google Play feature announced Tuesday.
The enhanced Play Integrity API allows developers to know if their apps are running on untrusted devices. The “app access risk” feature alerts an app if another app is recording the screen, overlaying content, or controlling the phone—techniques often used by malware. Google assures this feature recognizes legitimate accessibility apps.
Apps can check with Google’s Play Protect to confirm if it’s active and if any malware is detected. Developers can also perform recent-device-activity checks to identify phones showing signs of being part of a botnet. Google Play Protect alerts users directly, but users might ignore these warnings.
To help developers release more stable apps, Google improved its SDK management console to include more SDKs, including open-source ones, and consolidated pre-review app checks.
These updates coincide with lawsuits alleging Google’s abuse of market power, prompting the company to enhance Android’s openness to competing app stores and sideloading. Google Play Protect now scans sideloaded apps for malware.
Google Play’s new features also include customizing Play Store listings with device-specific screenshots, ratings, and reviews. Developers can tailor listings based on search terms and receive keyword suggestions via the Play Console. A developer preview allows creating immersive presentations with personalized recommendations.
Google has expanded payment options, including support for Brazil’s Pix and allowing Indian customers to request app payments from friends or family outside their Google Family group. Developers can now price items up to $999.99, but caution is advised before making such expensive purchases.
