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From: Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid>
Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
Subject: Re: Are Playstore app updates tested before release?
Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2024 08:41:14 +0100
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On 15/07/2024 00:27, Andrew wrote:
> Jeff Layman wrote on Sun, 14 Jul 2024 09:20:25 +0100 :

>> Does the update come through the Play Store? Although it's an update to
>> the Google Play System, it doesn't state explicitly that it comes via
>> the Play Store. Or does it come through the OEM?
> 
> Good question. I'd ask Andy or Arno. I never thought of where the updated
> packages come from (as there are more than two dozen in Android 14).

It took some time to find a statement, but at 
<https://www.esper.io/blog/building-a-google-play-system-update-changelog> 
it notes "Thanks to Project Mainline, Google is able to deliver updates 
to core Android system components through the Play Store. These updates 
— which are publicly referred to as Google Play System Updates — can fix 
security issues or introduce new features, and they’re routinely 
delivered to users on GMS Android devices running Android 10 and later."

So they do come through the Play Store. But as you've removed the Play 
Store from your phone, but still get updates, that doesn't make sense. 
Or perhaps the Play Store isn't just the Play Store we think it is... ;-)

Perhaps part of the answer is here 
<https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1706051485623103675>
"Google System Updates are comprised of updates to the Google Play Store 
app, the Google Play Services app, the Android WebView, and Project 
Mainline modules (via Google Play System Updates).

....

While you can opt out of these, you'll still get system updates from 
non-Google sources as well as app updates through Google Play*. 
Furthermore, Google says automatic updates may still happen to address 
severe security or safety issues or to comply with legal obligations."

* But /which/ "Google Play"?! We have Google Play Store, Google Play 
Services, Google Play System, and non-Google sources. Almost looks like 
it's been designed to confuse. Surely not...

> Yeah, I try not to update unless I know what I want updated, but the
> Project Mainline stuff updates whether or not you ask it to, I think.

See above. Perhaps security and safety issue updates can't be turned off.

>> I see that this is where the latest update info is provided:
>> <https://support.google.com/product-documentation/answer/14343500>
> 
> I think that link answers one of your questions, which is how you know
> you've been updated. I would guess you have the version they say there.

I should read my own links properly! :-)

Yes, the versions I can find in "Settings" by digging down into the app 
menus are pretty much the latest as shown in the links. I'll try to 
avoid doing any updates in the next couple of weeks and see if the 
version change anyway. That will mean an automatic update has taken place.

-- 
Jeff