Re: Are Playstore app updates tested before release?

Jeff Layman wrote on Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:10:05 +0100 :

I've been using a Google Pixel 6a for a while now. When I got it, it had
Android 13 and at some point I could install the update to Android 14.
But I never experienced any unattended updates without my consent. All
system updates and also app updates in Google Play have to be confirmed
before they get installed.

 
As I posted above, I'm going to check the versions at
<https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/14343500> but
/not/ manually update anything over the next couple of weeks, and then
see if my phone has the very latest versions or not. If it has, it means
the updates have taken place automatically. I assume from your comment
above that this doesn't happen with your Pixel 6a.

I think what Arno & Jeff said is good information because my point about
Project Mainline updates is they're so seamless, people don't know they're
happening monthly (on Pixels) or slightly less often on other OEM brands.
 <https://www.esper.io/blog/what-is-project-mainline>

As you can see here, the updates are downloaded, but the user isn't told
that they are waiting for a reboot - but they happen when the user reboots.
 <https://bayton.org/android/gpsu-system-update/>

Also, while we've discussed Project Mainline a few times on this ng, most
people on this ng I believe are not aware that the concept even exists that
Google is updating dozens of core packages monthly for Android 10+ forever.
 <https://www.hexnode.com/blogs/android-project-mainline-everything-you-need-to-know/>

It's been that seamless since mainline started with Android 10.

Every subsequent version has been adding more & more mainline modules.
 <https://www.xda-developers.com/bluetooth-ultra-wideband-mainline-modules-android-13/>

However, my phone is not set up by default in that I have the Google Play
Store deleted from the user partition so any test by me might not reflect
how things work for most people who leave the Android set up by defaults.

Hence, I think it's a great idea that Jeff will be checking his update
status, where here's a list of the core packages that are in Mainline.
 <https://source.android.com/docs/core/ota/modular-system>

However, note that at least, you can manually update them at will.
 <https://bayton.org/android/gpsu-system-update/>
 Google Play System updates (Mainline)
 Google Play System updates (also called Mainline updates)
 are automatically downloaded but require a device reboot to be installed.
 These updates won't trigger an automatic reboot and instead they are
 installed on the next user, admin, or policy initiated reboot.
 Reboots triggered by system update policy will install the
 associated Google/OEM system update and any previously downloaded
 Google Play System updates.
 Google Play System updates can also be manually installed by navigating
 to Settings > About > Android Version > Google Play system update.