For Android aficionados, the Google Play Store is more than just a marketplace; it’s an integral part of the Android ecosystem, frequented by many at least once a month for new discoveries or updates. This digital hub, however, has long operated with a one-at-a-time download protocol, a quirk that users have come to accept as part of the experience.
But change is afoot. In a welcome evolution, the Google Play Store has introduced the capability to download and install two applications simultaneously. This long-awaited feature is a significant upgrade from the sequential installation process that has been the norm for years.
Simultaneous Downloads Are Finally A Thing On The Google Play Store
Imagine the scenario: you’re setting up a new smartphone and eagerly lining up your essential apps for download. In the past, this meant watching the progress bar of each app inch forward before the next could begin. Now, this once-tedious process has been streamlined, allowing for a pair of apps to be installed concurrently. It’s important to note, however, that this dual-download feature is currently exclusive to new installations and does not yet apply to app updates.
While the latest version of the Google Play Store and Android are in place for some, the feature’s availability may vary by region. Reports from sources like 9to5Google confirm that simultaneous downloads have been successfully tested on Pixel devices and tablets, hinting at a phased rollout that may prioritize Google’s own hardware first.
But Wait, Couldn’t The Play Store Handle Multiple Downloads Way Back In The Past?
Long-time Android users might recall a time when their devices could handle multiple downloads without breaking a sweat. Indeed, this was once a feature of the platform. The reasons for its disappearance and the subsequent return to a single download model are not well-documented, leading to speculation among the community.
Discussions on platforms like Reddit suggest that the original multi-download feature may have been shelved due to its intensive use of system resources, leading to sluggish performance and occasional freezes. With today’s advanced hardware, boasting powerful processors like Snapdragon and Dimensity, the Play Store is once again embracing the concept of simultaneous downloads, albeit with a modest limit of two for the time being.