Breaking Up with Google Play: Why Conversations Is Now Free

Conversations, an open-source instant messaging client for Android, was initially created by the author as a solution to his own communication needs in 2014. The project was later turned into a business model, charging for compiled binaries, but it remained the primary source of income for the author. Initially, the revenue came from paid development for companies, custom features, server setup, and consulting.

Grants and funding opportunities also played a significant role in the author's finances. Google Play Store revenue was a steady source of income, often referred to as paying the rent. The author has had a strained relationship with Google, experiencing multiple app rejections and removals, long review times, and a lack of human interaction.

Google takes a 15% cut from the author's app sales, costing over 1000 Euros per year. Over time, the author's funding sources shifted more towards grants, and they are now financially independent from Google Play Store revenue.