Google makes uninstalling system app updates harder on Play Store
What's the story
Google has made a major change to the Play Store, removing the option to easily uninstall updates for system apps. The reason for this change has not been clearly stated by Google. However, it also means that if a user wants to roll back an update due to issues or bugs, they will have to go through extra steps in the app settings.
Update mechanism
Android system apps and the update process
One of the biggest advantages of Android over iOS is its ability to let manufacturers like Google and Samsung push updates for system apps without needing a full software update. These system apps include Phone, Messages, and Samsung Internet, among others. However, not all updates are perfect and some may contain bugs or issues. In such cases, users often have to revert to an older version of the app for seamless functionality.
User convenience
The convenience of uninstalling updates from Play Store
Previously, the easiest way to revert a system app update was by going directly to its Play Store listing and tapping on the Uninstall updates button. This method was convenient as it didn't require digging into any settings. However, with Google's latest update, this option has been removed from all devices regardless of the Play Store version being used.
Affected apps
Impact of the change on system apps
The removal of the Uninstall updates button from the Play Store affects all system apps, including those that don't appear in the app drawer like Android Auto and Android System WebView. However, it's important to note that even with this change, users can still uninstall system app updates by going through their phone's settings and selecting "Uninstall updates" from a three-dot menu.