The Google Play Store has become the one-stop-shop for all things Google when it comes to Android apps. However, 9to5Google‘s APK teardown yesterday revealed that the virtual storefront might eventually become the destination for future Android system updates.
According to the teardown, version 14.5.52 of the Play Store includes several strings related to downloading and installing a “System Update.” The strings even describe interface elements that are similar to what Pixel owners currently see on the system update page, such as “Preparing,” “All good! Update complete,” and “Sorry, something went wrong!”
Other strings describe notifications that detail an update’s progress, which include “Downloading…,” “Almost there…,” and “Successfully updated.” There’s also a separate string that refers to a “Google System Update.”
From the various strings, we can guess that Android users might eventually be able to download and install OS updates through the Play Store. It’s not known if there will be any backend changes to how updates are delivered.
That said, updating your Android phone through the Play Store makes sense. Not only does it provide consistency with being able to update your apps, but the update interface wouldn’t be buried in the Settings menu and would be more user-friendly.
We’ll keep tabs on these developments over time. In the meantime, let us know in the comments how you feel about system updates coming through the Play Store.
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