What version of Google Play system update is everybody seeing on their Pixel?

[hpham]

Just curious, what's the big deal about getting the Play System update? Isn't the Android security update more important?

[Boz1]

Just curious, what's the big deal about getting the Play System update? Isn't the Android security update more important?

I'd say yes, the security update is more important. But for Android devices that no longer get security updates, such as my 3a XL, supposedly, Play System update helps keep the phone less vulnerable to security issues. Or something like that.

https://www.howtogeek.com/686927/wha...hey-important/
"Google Play System Updates mainly address security issues, but they aren’t the same as the monthly security patches. Both are responsible for different things. All devices with Android 10 and higher can get a Google Play Security Update, regardless of whether they have the latest security patches."

"That’s the most important thing about Google Play System Updates: they don’t require firmware updates or phone manufacturers. This doesn’t mean Google can completely bypass your phone’s manufacturer and bring you the latest features right away. However, it does mean you won’t have to worry about some more critical security issues."

[tomseys]

I just got the January 1, 2023 Google play update on my TF/Verizon Pixel 6a.

[tomseys]

January 1st 2023 Google Play update released to Pixel 7 and 6a phones:

https://9to5google.com/2023/01/23/pi...pdate-january/

[Boz1]

So...my 3a XL just got a Play System update!

I noticed 2 notifications showing Play System update was downloading. I then checked in settings under Play System update, and it said to restart to finish.

After the restart, my Play System update is Januaty 1, 2023!

Finally!

EDIT
My 3a XL has a T-Mobile data only tablet SIM installed.

[fuzzwad]

Same here on my Pixel 5a 5g on TF/Verizon! Maybe we'll get the Feb update!

[malet]

I got the February security update, but I'm still on the November Play system update. Pixel 7, purchased unlocked, using on Tracfone (pSIM)/Dent (eSIM).

[fuzzwad]

Just got the February security update last night, and already on the January Play update, so fully updated again

[malet]

I got the February security update, but I'm still on the November Play system update. Pixel 7, purchased unlocked, using on Tracfone (pSIM)/Dent (eSIM).

I checked again this morning, and was still on November. This time I tapped on Settings -> About Phone -> Android Version -> Google Play system update. It said "Restart to update". So apparently it had downloaded an update but didn't want to let me know. Repeated the process and got another update. I'm now on February/February for Android/Google Play.

[Boz1]

I read your post when you posted it, but for some reason didn't check my 3a XL at that time. I finally just checked, and it also said, "Restart to update". After the restart, my 3a XL also has the February 2023 Google Play system update.

It seems very odd that both your 7 and my 3a XL didn't give any indication that the new Google Play system update had been downloaded and the phone needed to be restarted to install. Oh, well. I wonder how the March Google Play system update will behave? We'll see...

[rpz1]

I read your post when you posted it, but for some reason didn't check my 3a XL at that time. I finally just checked, and it also said, "Restart to update". After the restart, my 3a XL also has the February 2023 Google Play system update.

It seems very odd that both your 7 and my 3a XL didn't give any indication that the new Google Play system update had been downloaded and the phone needed to be restarted to install. Oh, well. I wonder how the March Google Play system update will behave? We'll see...

Same happened to me a couple days ago. Moto G 5G. I occasionally manually check for updates and when I checked it said the same "Restart to update". I don't know when it ever downloaded since I only have wifi or even data on when I need it.

[Boz1]

I just checked my 3a XL for a new Google Play System update. It said restart to apply. I don't know exactly when it arrived, but probably within the last few days, although I'd received no notification. After the restart, my hone is on the March 1, 2023, Google Play System update.

[Boz1]

I've been checking my 3a XL for a new Google Play System update since Monday, but no update has been available until today, 4/27/23. After I restarted my phone, the Google Play System update is now April 1, 2023. As has been the norm recently, there was no notification that there was an update ready to be installed.

[rpz1]

I've been checking my 3a XL for a new Google Play System update since Monday, but no update has been available until today, 4/27/23. After I restarted my phone, the Google Play System update is now April 1, 2023. As has been the norm recently, there was no notification that there was an update ready to be installed.

Checked my Moto G 5G when I saw your post. Likewise again no notice but there it was. Actually 2. The first time it said like 50kb. Pretty small and after the phone restarted it was still on March. So I checked again and it downloaded another, about 50mb, then it went to April. Still sitting on last android 12 security update from January though.

[Boz1]

Yeah, my 3a XL won't get any more regular "Android security update" past the May 5, 2022 end of software support. While I wish this phone would have gotten longer official full support for more Android versions beyond 12, and longer regular "Android security update" support, I'm at least happy it's still getting the "Google Play system update", because the phone still works perfectly for what I need it to do.

As I understand it, "Google Play system update" are updates that Google will provide to Android, as long as Google decides an Android version is still supported. As posted earlier:

I'd say yes, the security update is more important. But for Android devices that no longer get security updates, such as my 3a XL, supposedly, Play System update helps keep the phone less vulnerable to security issues. Or something like that.

https://www.howtogeek.com/686927/wha...hey-important/
"Google Play System Updates mainly address security issues, but they aren’t the same as the monthly security patches. Both are responsible for different things. All devices with Android 10 and higher can get a Google Play Security Update, regardless of whether they have the latest security patches."

"That’s the most important thing about Google Play System Updates: they don’t require firmware updates or phone manufacturers. This doesn’t mean Google can completely bypass your phone’s manufacturer and bring you the latest features right away. However, it does mean you won’t have to worry about some more critical security issues."