Google's 2027 foldable app push leaves Android readers hopeful but unsure

Why foldable apps fall short

Foldable phones promise a large screen that folds down to phone size, but many Android apps are not built for that extra space. According to Android Authority, plenty of apps stretch their elements out of proportion or simply ignore the added screen real estate.

Google has acknowledged the problem itself. The company has announced plans to put apps under closer scrutiny and to reward those that fully support foldable phones with more prominent placement on the Google Play Store.

Google's 2027 plan for the Play Store

The push begins in 2027. Apps that adapt properly to foldable and large-screen devices would rank higher in the store, while non-compliant apps face less favourable treatment. Android Authority reports that the scheme is meant to keep developers accountable, which should ultimately benefit consumers.

The idea is not entirely new. Google has run similar incentive schemes for Android tablets before, with mixed results.

What readers think of the plan

Android Authority polled its readers on whether the new ranking incentives will finally fix the foldable app situation. Of the 1,576 people who voted, nearly three-quarters chose Maybe or Yes. The majority are not certain the plan will work, but they remain hopeful.

Sceptics make up around 16% of the vote, while around 9% said they do not care either way. A few readers pointed out that some of Google's own apps are slow to adapt to new form factors, which undermines the company's message.

Past tablet efforts cast a shadow

Commenters on the poll questioned whether incentives alone change developer behaviour. One noted that Google has announced similar tablet incentives several times, yet outside a handful of independent developers few studios acted on them.

Others observed that some apps, including Slack, once offered tablet interfaces and have since removed them. Because Android can simply stretch a phone layout, many developers consider that good enough and ship what the poll called a slab phone UI.

What it means for foldable owners

The poll suggests cautious optimism rather than confidence. Readers seem to agree that tying Play Store visibility to foldable support could push developers to act, but Google's track record with tablets tempers expectations.

One commenter took a brighter view, suggesting ranking incentives could create a dedicated market for well-built foldable apps. Whether that happens will depend on how strictly Google enforces the rules from 2027 onwards.