Google Play's system updates for April aim to enhance your Play Store experience

Android Police

By Will Sattelberg

Updated Apr 4, 2022

Another round of changes

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Two new points added

Another month, another round of Google System Updates to peruse throughout the week. Right on cue, Google has published its changes for your phone that don't involve waiting for a delayed monthly patch. Along with a handful of critical fixes for all of the company's platforms, some basic changes to the Play Store are on their way, although it's unclear if you'll even notice. And now, a few days after initially publishing the changelog, Google has added more details for account management and device connections.

The newly added point on account management explains that Google has introduced new settings and notifications that are supposed to improve password security on four platforms — Android Auto, phones, tablets, and TVs. This should help you stay safer online.

The other new point details that Android Auto now supports installation and use of video streaming apps for infotainment systems. This sounds great for watching your favorite shows while you wait for someone in your car. Interestingly enough, the latter point has since been pulled from the changelog again, so we're not entirely sure if this is live already or if Google accidentally added it too early.

Account Management

- [Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV] Introduction of new settings and notifications for on-device encrypted data to improve password security. [2]

Device Connections

- [Auto] Support for installation and use of video streaming apps in-car infotainment systems through Android Auto. [2]

Even with these additions, the changelog isn't the longest we've spotted since Google began reporting its system updates with detailed entries each month — especially if you're looking for user-facing changes. All remaining seven points are identical to what March brought, right down to the order they're listed in. While Google may be continuing its work on options like "Play-as-you-download" games and Play Billing, you might be unlikely to spot the actual differences without a more detailed list.

Still, there's a handful of points worth taking away here. Some unspecified critical bug fixes to all of Google's platforms, including Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV, and Wear OS are here, as are updates to basic system management services that keep your gadgets connected to the web. Along with some developer-focused changes, all are rolling out this week.

You can check out the rest of the changes below, or browse through Google's entire collection of monthly updates over at its support page.

Critical Fixes

[Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV, Wear OS] Bug fixes for security & privacy, and system management & diagnostics related services. [1][2]

Google Play Store

Improvements to Play-as-you-download feature to let gamers start playing mobile games while the app download continues to reduce waiting times. [3]
New Features to help you discover the Apps & Games you love.[3]
Optimizations allowing faster and more reliable download and installation.[3]
New features to the Play Pass and Play Points programs. [3]
Enhancements to Google Play Billing. [3]
Continuous improvements to Play Protect to keep your device safe. [3]
Various performance optimizations, bug fixes and improvements to security, stability and accessibility. [3]

System Management

Updates to system management services that improve device connectivity, network usage, stability, security and updatability. [1][2]

Developer Services

New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support ads, accessibility, analytics & diagnostics and machine learning & AI, and security & privacy related developer services in their apps. [2]

Footnotes