Google has begun sharing what new features and changes to expect in November from the core system apps on our Android devices, including some tweaks to the Play Store’s UI and support for QR codes in Google Wallet.
Each month, Google rounds up and publishes the patch notes for a collection of Android apps and services that it refers to as the “Google System.” These include the Play Store, Google Play Services, Android System Intelligence, Android WebView, and “Google Play system updates.” Each part is responsible for what makes your smartphone – or your watch, tablet, TV, etc – feel “smart” in the first place.
For November’s patch notes, Google has devised a new organization style that makes it much easier to know which updates are responsible for specific changes without constantly checking footnotes. As always though, to take advantage of these new features, you’ll need to be on the latest version of each app.
The easiest way to check whether you need to update Google Play Services on your phone is to follow a direct link to the app’s Play Store listing and update from there, if available. To update the Play Store, tap your avatar in the corner, then “Settings.” Under the “About” section, you’ll see an option to “Update Play Store.” Meanwhile, Google Play system updates can be found through the Settings app, under About phone > Android version > Google Play system update.
Other “Google System” apps, like Android System Intelligence and Google Wallet, are updated through the Play Store just like any other app.
November is starting off a bit slower than months past, with Google sharing details of Play Store version 38.3 and Play Services version 23.43, the latter of which doesn’t seem to have any noteworthy updates. However, the new Play Store update is set to include a few tweaks.
For starters, Google is improving the Play Store’s “search result experience” by introducing a new shortcut “that will take you right to the app or game.” Meanwhile, the marketplace is also making it easier to uninstall Android apps from “connected devices,” following the app’s recent moves to allow installing apps onto your smartwatch or tablet via your phone.
Other adjustments include an “[u]pdated design for Google Play Protect information cards” and a new reminder that pre-registering for an app works better if Play Store notifications are turned on.
Update 1: We now have the first details of the Play Services version 23.44 update, which should begin rolling out later this month. First up, when filling out a form that asks for an email address, Autofill with Google will now offer email addresses that you’ve previously saved as a username.
This particular change seems iffy to me, considering how common it is to share accounts for streaming services. Those email addresses would then appear as autofill options any time you register a new account or fill out a form online.
Moving on to Google Wallet, the app will soon notify you if one of your saved cards needs further verification before it can be used. You’ll also be able to save your “corporate ID” to your phone’s wallet.
Update 2: Next up, we have the patch notes for Play Store versions 38.4 and 38.5, which should be rolling out now. The most immediately noticeable change is that the latter update introduces “app recommendations” that will appear in “new places” of the app marketplace. These recommendations will appear after you’ve installed a new app and will be tuned based on that particular app.
The updates also bring Play Protect improvements related to Android permissions, as well as “new buttons” on editorial pages.
Meanwhile, Google Play services version 23.45 packs the ability to add QR codes to your Wallet. In particular, Google calls out support for “boarding passes and health cards.” The same update also adds a notification encouraging Wear OS device owners to enable the new backup support on their watch. Another Play Services update, version 23.46, currently only includes new “Happiness Tracking Surveys” that will occasionally ask you questions about “your satisfaction with Google features on your phone.”
The company also makes mention of two updates to Android System Intelligence – versions T.38 and U.13, available for Android 13 and 14, respectively – that both include bug fixes for the “Speech language pack.”
Update 3: As part of the final set of Google System updates for the month, you’ll soon see your weekly Play Points rewards on the homepage of the Play Store, with version 38.6. Previously, finding these required opening the account menu, tapping the Play Points option, and viewing the “Perks” tab.
We also have our first details of Android’s “Google Play system update” for November 2023, consisting solely of “Updates to system management services” and “Bug fixes.”
Android WebView v120 (2023-11-29)
- Improvements to security and privacy and updates for bug fixes.
- New developer features for Google & 3rd party app developers to support functionality related to displaying web content in their apps.
Important: Some features may be experimental and available to certain users.
Google Play services for AR v1.41 (2023-11-28)
- [Phone] Updated list of supported devices.
- [Phone] Various performance improvements and bug fixes.
Google Play Store v38.6 (2023-11-27)
- [Phone] You may now see Play Points weekly rewards on the Play Store homepages.
Google Play system update (2023-11-27)
- [Phone] Updates to system management services that improve Device Connectivity, Network Usage, Security, Stability, and Updatability.
- [Phone] Bug fixes for System Management & Diagnostics related services.
Google Play services v23.46 (2023-11-22)
System Management
- [Phone] With the Happiness Tracking Surveys feature, you can get surveys to measure your satisfaction with Google features on your phone.
Android System Intelligence T.38/U.13 (2023-11-21)
- [Phone] Speech language pack bug fixes.
Google Play Store v38.5 (2023-11-20)
- [Phone] Explore more right after you install an app. You will now see app recommendations based on the app you just installed on new places in the Google Play Store.
- [Phone] Support for new buttons to make editorial pages more interactive.
Google Play services v23.45 (2023-11-15)
Developer Services
- [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Machine Learning & AI related processes in their apps.
- [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Machine Learning & AI related processes in their apps.
- [Phone] You can now add boarding passes and health cards to your Wallet by scanning a QR code.
Device Connectivity
- [Wear] Notification to enable Backup on Wear.
System Management
- [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] Updates to system management services that improve Privacy.
- [Phone] Bug fixes for System Management & Diagnostics related services.
Google Play Store v38.4 (2023-11-13)
- [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] Google Play Protect provides further protection against permissions abuse.
- [Phone] Users can now automatically install apps on connected devices from ads when searching in the Play Store.
Google Play services v23.44 (2023-11-08)
Utilities
- [Auto, Phone] For fields that are detected as email addresses, Autofill with Google will provide email addresses from saved usernames.
Wallet
- [Phone] Allow users to digitize their corporate ID in Google Wallet.
- [Phone] Notify users for cards in their Wallet application which are pending identity verification.
Google Play Store v38.3 (2023-11-06)
- [Phone] Makes your search results experience better by showing an icon that will take you right to the app or game.
- [Phone] New feature to help you uninstall apps on connected devices.
- [Phone] Updated design for Google Play Protect information cards.
- [Phone] Added a prompt to remind you to enable notifications when pre-registering for an app.
Google Play services v23.43 (2023-11-01)
Developer Services
- [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Analytics & Diagnostics related processes in their apps.
- [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Analytics & Diagnostics related processes in their apps.
System Management
- [Wear] Updates to system management services that improve Updatability.
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