Google now puts changelogs for Play system updates for Android online
Google has started changelogs for the Play system updates for Android and for the Play Store versions. The Play system updates have been around for a few years now, but the search giant hasn’t said what changed until now.
The changelogs are on a Google help page, 9to5Google discovered. The updates have been around since Project Mainline in Android 10 and include changes to system settings and the Play Store itself. For example, it has become possible to play games before they are fully installed.
The updates only come on Android phones with Google services and are separate from the monthly security updates and version upgrades. The updates take place in the background, without users doing anything. As a result, many users will not be aware that the updates are taking place. It is the first time that Google is distributing changelogs for these updates. The intention is to do this for every update from now on.
| Ways of updating Android | App update | Google Play Services | Google Play System Update | Security Update | Version Upgrade |
| Fix leaks in… | apps | Play APIs | Parts of the OS | Rest of the OS | Nothing |
| Adds new features | Yes, possible | Yes, possible | new | new | Yes |
| Who offers update? | Developer | Manufacturer | Manufacturer | ||
| Spread update | play store, other download stores, sideloading | play store, sideloading | Play Store Infrastructure | Ota through settings, sideloading | Ota through settings, sideloading |
| Frequency | Continuous | Once in a few weeks | Once in a while | Monthly | Annual |