Google’s mission to make Android more like iPhone continues, at least when it comes to security and privacy, narrowing the gap. Android 15 moves the bar significantly, with a raft of updates including AI-based live detection of malicious apps and even cellular network defense. But there are also huge changes coming to Play Store.

If you have an Android phone, you might soon have some protection from useless apps. Google is reportedly working on a feature that will add a warning to the Play Store page of any app the company thinks isn't very good.

Genuine developers also stand to benefit from this, as they can work harder to improve their app's quality and engagement to ensure the warning goes away. It would also push new developers to release quality apps on the Play Store, as poor metrics could otherwise lead to warnings appearing on their listing page.

Live threat detection was one of the standouts when Android 15 was trailed earlier this year. Using on-device AI, the idea is that users will be warned in real time if an app is exhibiting potentially malicious behavior, before it’s flagged across the board by Play Protect.

The Google Play Store could soon let you identify if an app is of low quality using three types of precautionary messages on the app's page.