Google learns from Microsoft: Android Updates soon modular via Play Store

Google has started distributing system updates for Android not only in the form of large packages. Instead, the first users have recently received for the first time significantly smaller updates, with which Google has apparently tested a new method of large-scale Android update.

Efforts to make Android more modular to facilitate product maintenance have been around for quite some time. Recently, new plans for the Internet company have come to light, according to which at least some updates should be delivered via the Google Play Store. These will only affect certain parts of the operating system and make sure that you do not just rely on the Android update settings, that is, hundreds of megabytes or even several gigabytes.

Pixel smartphones receive their first APEX packages

While some testers from the Android Q2 beta version recently released by Android are reporting on Pixel smartphones at Reddit, Google recently installed a "Google System Update" on their devices, apparently delivered via the Play Store. During the process, they first became aware of a corresponding notification, which however could not be turned on or off. After installing the update, the affected devices were restarted in the same way as Windows users.

It is still unclear how the update process observed by pixel users in Android Q Beta 2 works. The advantage seems to be mainly that Android itself can also be updated without waiting for biggest update packages. Presumably, everything is based on the so-called APEX packages.

The APEX packages are already part of Android Q Beta 2 and can update up to six important system libraries on Android, regardless of which update packages are likely always large. According to XDA developers, device manufacturers will need to allow delivery of APEX packages through the Play Store. The new features are therefore not limited to Google's own pixels, but are also standard on Android Q with smartphones from other manufacturers.



Android, Update, Droid, Android Update

2019-04-16T17: 52: 00 + 02: 002019-04-16T17: 52: 00 + 02: 00Roland Quandt