Google will soon allow users to update Android apps downloaded via sideloading or from alternative app stores through the company’s official Play Store.
Until now, it has been impossible to update Android apps downloaded via sideloading or from alternative app stores. However, according to the latest beta version of the Play Store, Google is now going to deviate from this policy.
A so-called APK Teardown shows that in the latest Google Play Store (beta) version 42.0.18, there is a new option on the app listing page. This allows for (automatic) updating of apps from alternative app stores. This eliminates the need to manually download new app versions or use another source for updates.
This would give the official Play Store more update ownership for apps downloaded from another environment. So, even if an installed app has a different origin, it would still be possible to update it through the official channel—provided it can be found on it, of course.
New button
The latest version of Google Play shows a new “Update from Play” button for sideloaded apps. Also, the app listing warns that the app in question is not from Google Play but from another environment. The Play Store has shown such a message since Android 14, but users will soon be able to simply choose whether to update that app from its original source or from the Google Play Store.
Still some ambiguity
It is still unclear whether clicking the new button will make updating from the Play Store the default for future updates. Also, the update is not yet available for all end users, although it may be expected soon via a server-side update.
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