Google Play now supports private, vibe-coded apps built just for you

Google announced on October 13 that Google Play now supports running personal Android apps built with AI tools, keeping them completely private from the public store.

Previously, using a custom app on an Android device required publishing it to the Play Store, which serves 3 billion users. This forced many 'vibe coders' to stick to web apps. The new policy allows users to create an app via Google AI Studio and launch it directly on their own device, initially available only in the U.S. for users aged 18 and up.

While these apps remain private, they must still comply with Google Play's existing security and content policies. Google stated that in the coming months, users will be able to share these creations with trusted friends or transition them to public listings after passing trust and safety reviews.

The feature is currently limited to adult users in the United States and relies on Google's proprietary AI development toolchain.