On 15/07/2024 14:21, Andrew wrote:
> 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.

I've had a look at those links and there is a lot of information there,
and it seems that some of it changed only last April.

I checked this morning and according to MAM (and my phone's Settings)
the current versions are:
Google Play Store:
41.8.14-31

Google Play Services:
24.26.32

Following the the support.google link I provided earlier, I see that the
Play Store is now at 41.9, and the Play services is at 24.27.

I'll report back in a couple of weeks after not downloading any updates
or rebooting (if the updates were downloaded silently).

--
Jeff

Google is purging 'low-quality' Android apps next month
https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/19/24201756/google-play-store-update-purge-low-quality-android-apps

Google is raising its minimum quality requirements for Android apps and
will soon remove those that don't meet expectations from the Play Store.