● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 negative
Conversations Android XMPP client becomes free on Google Play Store
Key points
- Conversations XMPP client is now free on Google Play.
- Developer cited long-standing issues with Google Play support.
- Previously, Play Store revenue was a steady income source.
- The app was removed twice and updates rejected multiple times.
Conversations App Now Free
The federated instant messaging client, Conversations, is now offered for free on the Google Play Store. This decision marks a significant shift for the application, which has been a paid offering since its initial release in March 2014.
Developer's Decade of Frustration with Google Play
The developer stated that the move to a free model was influenced by a consistently negative relationship with Google. Over the past decade, the app experienced numerous update rejections for unclear reasons and was removed from the Play Store twice. One instance involved an unsubstantiated accusation of uploading user contacts.
The developer expressed a desire for direct human communication with Google support to resolve these issues, which was often unavailable.
Impact on Business Model
For ten years, Play Store revenue was a consistent income stream for the developer, contributing to the sustainability of the project. This revenue provided stability, especially in the early stages of the project's business development. The shift to a free model means this source of income will no longer contribute to the project's financial stability.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
Reporting from
The Conversations XMPP client for Android is now available for free on the Google Play Store. This change comes after a decade of paid availability, driven by the developer's ongoing frustrations with Google's Play Store policies and support.