What’s new in the October 2024 Google System Updates [U: 10/21]

The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.

The following first-party apps comprise the “Google System”:

• Adaptive Connectivity Services: Search the “All apps” list in Settings and open App info for the version number
• Android System Intelligence: App info
• Android TV Core Services
• Android WebView: App info
• Device Health Services: App info
• Settings Services: App info
• Google Play Store: App info
• Google Play system update: Settings > About phone > Android version
• SIM Manager: App info

A feature appearing in the changelog does not mean it’s widely available. Some capabilities take months to fully launch.

Android TV Core Services v6.9.0 (2024-10-21)

• Stability improvements.

Google Play services v24.41 (2024-10-21)

Developer services

• [Phone] You’ll now be able to use a black and white filter when you use the ML Kit document scanner.

Utilities

• [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll get an improved experience when you use a new device in Google Wallet.

Wallet

• [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll get improvements to passes in Google Wallet.
• [Phone] You’ll now be able to upgrade your passes in Google Wallet.
• [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll be able to get improvements to digital ID in Google Wallet.

Settings Services v1.1.0.680923945 (2024-10-15)

• [Phone] General bug fixes.

Android System Key Verifier v1.42 (2024-10-14)

Developer Services

• [Phone] Android System Key Verifier is a service that lets developers store end-to-end encryption keys.

Google Play Store v43.2 (2024-10-14)

• [Phone] You may see developer-provided animations on promotional content cards.
• [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll find offers in the Search results page.
• [Phone] You can now discover new ways to use Play discounts and earn Google Play Points.
• [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] With this new feature, you’ll get improved search results when you search for apps in Google Play.

Google Play services v24.40 (2024-10-14)

Security & Privacy

• [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Security & Privacy related processes in their apps.

Wallet

• [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Digital Wallet & Payments related processes in their apps.

System Management

• [Auto, Phone, TV, Wear] Updates to system management services that improve Network Usage.

Android WebView v130 (2024-10-09)

• 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.

Instant hotspot widely rolled out with Cross-device services last month, and is getting a “new status icon.”

Google Play services v24.39 (2024-10-07)

Device Connectivity

• [Phone] With instant hotspot, you’ll now see a notification when your hotspot is available and a new status icon once you’re connected.
• [Phone, Wear] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Device Connectivity related processes in their apps.

Utilities

• [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Utilities related processes in their apps.

Google Play Store v43.1 (2024-10-07)

• [Phone] When you set up your new watch, you’ll see some visual improvements in the device setup screen.
• [PC, Phone] You’ll now find more games with achievements on the Search results and Details pages.