Google System updates give you new and useful features that make your Android devices more secure and reliable. It includes updates to the Android operating system and key system services provided by Google, Google Play Store, and Google Play services. Google System updates are available for all Google-certified Android devices, such as:
- Phones
- Tablets
- Android TV and Google TV devices
- Android Auto-enabled vehicles
- Wear OS devices
- Chrome OS devices
System updates on your device
By default, Google System services automatically updates your device with security, bug fixes, and new features. Some updates are delivered via system services in separate Android packages. This maintains privacy, security and data isolation following the principle of least privilege because permissions are not shared with other functionality. These separate Android packages also benefit from enhanced transparency. See Google System APK Transparency Log.
These system updates improve important services like:
- Security & Privacy: Helps protect your device's integrity to keep it secure, as well as features like locating your lost devices. Also offers important privacy features such as granting and managing permissions, and helping you choose what data and information you share with apps on your device.
- Safety and Emergency: Supports emergency and non-emergency alerts on your phone and makes sure that you get timely alerts, like for earthquakes and COVID-19 exposure notifications.
- Account management: Allows you to sign in to your Google Account on your device and manage account settings. Also supports parental control services, including Family Link.
- Wallet: Supports digital wallet features like in-app purchases, contactless payments, and digital passes.
- Games: Provides automatic sign-in, leaderboards, and achievements in game apps.
- Location Services: Improves accuracy when you allow apps and services to use your location.
- Support: Provides access to Google Help and supports with setting up your device, data plans, and more.
- Device connections: Supports your device’s connections to other devices, and ensures you get a consistent connectivity experience across Android devices such as WiFi.
- Utilities: Supports useful features such as Autofilling content, contact syncing, and data backup and restore.
- Developer Services: Enables Google and third party developers to design, develop, and distribute apps that function correctly, are performant, and secure. This includes WebView, Adaptive Connectivity Services, and other services.