Breaking Up with Google Play: Why Conversations Is Now Free
A seasoned Android developer has sensationally announced they are making their popular instant messaging app, Conversations, completely free and severing ties with Google Play. This move comes after a decade of what the developer describes as a "toxic relationship" with Google, characterized by arbitrary app rejections, non-existent human support, and worsening review times. The story resonates deeply within the developer community on HN, spotlighting common frustrations with platform gatekeepers and challenging the sustainability of indie app development on major app stores.
The Lowdown
The developer of the federated instant messaging client 'Conversations' has decided to make their application free and withdraw it from Google Play, citing a decade of frustration and a 'toxic relationship' with the platform giant. Originally launched in 2014, Conversations evolved from a student project into a sustainable business, with Play Store revenue being a surprisingly steady income source despite the developer's growing disdain for Google's practices.
- Initial Business Model: Conversations began as an open-source project but charged for convenience on Google Play, a somewhat unusual model for its time, securing the developer's primary income. Over time, revenue streams diversified, including paid development, consulting, and increasingly, grants.
- Google's Gripes: The developer repeatedly encountered incomprehensible app rejections, two instances of app removal (once based on false accusations of uploading user contacts), and a complete lack of human support. Review times for updates became prohibitively long, delaying critical security patches and underscoring Google's perceived disinterest in established, non-AI-generated apps.
- Financial Leverage: Despite paying Google over 1000 Euro annually (a 15% cut), the developer felt this sum provided no recourse or support when issues arose. This economic dependency, however, has waned as grant funding (from entities like NLnet and the European Commission) now secures the project's financial future through 2029.
- Shift to F-Droid: While always available on F-Droid, the developer previously downplayed this free option. With newfound financial independence and growing exasperation with Google, F-Droid has become the primary, actively promoted distribution channel, offering reproducible builds signed by the developer.
Ultimately, the developer declared economic independence from Google Play, stating that Google no longer 'deserves' their money and concluding with a defiant 'Fuck the gatekeepers,' highlighting a principled stand against big tech's platform control.