monthly”Google System Release Notes” primarily details updates to Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto and Play services on PC, Play Store and Play system update. Some features are aimed at end users and others at developers.
The following first-party applications involve the “Google System”:
To update, open Settings app > Google services (on Pixel) > All services tab > Privacy & security > Tap your name at the top for system services.
Just because a feature appears in the changelog doesn’t mean it’s widely available. Some features take months to fully activate.
Google Play Services v26.20 (2026-05-25)
Developer Services
- (Phone) New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support Maps-related processes in their apps.
Security and Privacy
- (Phone) This update adds Anti-Theft support for newly built and activated devices in Latin America.
Wallet
- (Phone) With this update, authorized users on supported vehicles can now re-share keys with family members or service providers with granular access control. The new Owner, Guest, and Service roles also support basic sharing between your devices, such as your phone and watch.
Google Play Store v51.6 (2026-05-25)
- (Phone) You’ll see more content displayed on larger screens.
- (Phone) You can now save your broken game lanes with restores.
Android WebView v149 (2026-05-20)
- Updates for security and privacy improvements and bug fixes.
- New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support web content rendering functionality in their apps.
Important: Some features may be experimental and may not be available to certain users.
Google Play Services v26.19 (2026-05-18)
Account Management
- (Phone) With Material 3 Expressive UI design, you will get an updated memory management experience.
- (Telephone, Attrition) Migration between two accounting systems (service flag to account capability).
Developer Services
- (Phone) Bug fixes for services related to Developer Services.
- (Phone) Add AppFunctions to Google Play services.
- (Automatic) With this update, Android Credential Manager supports Car devices, so you can use saved passwords and passkeys with the option to use your phone for passkey authentication.
Device Connection
- (Phone) New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support Device Connection processes in their apps.
Security and Emergency
- (Telephone) Bug fixes for Security and Emergency related services.
Security and Privacy
- (Phone) This update adds Anti-Theft support for newly built and activated devices in the UK.
- (Phone) With this update, Remote Lock and Anti-Theft Lock are enabled by default on Android 17 devices.
- (Phone) A prompt may be displayed when Advanced Protection mode is disabled.
Google Play Store v51.5 (2026-05-18)
- (Phone) You can now access Play Collections.
- (Phone) This feature allows players to report their player profile name on the Play Store.
- (Phone) You can now view detailed daily playtime statistics when you select lane icons.
- (Phone) You can now share feedback about your recent games to improve recommendations.
- (Phone) You can now find app content from your installed apps in the Play Store.
Android System Intelligence B.25 (2026-05-14)
- (Phone) Bug fixes and maintenance changes.
Google Play Services v26.18 (2026-05-11)
Account Management
- (Phone, TV, Clothing) You will now get an improved Trusted Contacts feature for supervised users.
- (PC) This update extends the Family Link “Add/Remove User” setting so that supervised users can grant admin access to other users on devices that support multiple admins.
Device Connection
- (Phone) With this update, Quick Share allows you to transfer content from Android to iOS via QR code and cloud transfer.
Security and Emergency
- (Phone) You can now translate public safety broadcasts from Wireless Emergency Alerts into your device’s system language.
Security and Privacy
- (Telephone) With the new update, the fraud prevention feature automatically ends calls impersonating supported bank phone numbers.
- (Phone) You will get an improved experience for Advanced Protection features.
Utilities
- (Phone) You can now backup and restore AutoFill with Google settings.
Wallet
- (Phone) New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support Digital Wallet and Payments-related processes in their apps.
Google Play Store v51.4 (2026-05-11)
- (Phone) With this update, AI Review and Query Play provides content-oriented search results for Sports, Media, and Entertainment, including trailers and where you can watch them.
- (Phone) You can now enjoy manga and webtoon samples in participating comic apps directly on the app’s detail page to preview and discover your favorite comics.
- (Phone) You can now opt-in to receive super weekly rewards and other offers delivered directly to your inbox via notifications and email.
Google Play Services v26.17 (2026-05-04)
Account Management
- (PC) This update adds a warning screen when you sign in with a Dasher account on Android desktop devices.
Developer Services
- (Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Apparel) New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support Utilities-related processes in their apps.
Wallet
- (Phone) Bug fixes for wallet related services.
Google Play Store v51.3 (2026-05-04)
- (Phone) With this update, you can open Google Play Sidekick from the notification drawer.
- (Phone) You can now ask questions and share tips about the games you’re playing in Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links that generate income. More.
