Simultaneous Downloads Arrive on Google Play Store
In a notable development for Android enthusiasts, the blank” rel=”noopener”>Google Play Store has introduced the capability to blank” rel=”noopener”>download two apps concurrently. This feature, which has been under testing for a considerable period, is now being made available to Android users globally.
While this enhancement marks progress, it comes with a caveat. Users can download multiple apps simultaneously, yet the option to update more than one app at the same time remains unavailable. This limitation is noteworthy as app updates occur more frequently than initial installations, and the ability to update multiple apps concurrently would offer significant convenience to users, particularly those who prefer manual updates.
There is an anticipation that future updates may address this and allow simultaneous app updates. For the time being, Android users can enjoy the efficiency of downloading two apps simultaneously, a feature that is visible both within the Play Store and, on certain devices, on the app drawer or home screen via a progress bar.
Previously, selecting multiple apps for download would result in a queue where the second app would be labeled as ‘Pending’ until the completion of the first. This process would repeat for any subsequent selections. Now, while the third app in the queue will still show as ‘Pending’, users can at least enjoy a dual download stream.
Comparison with Apple’s App Store Capabilities
The update brings Google Play Store a step closer to the functionality offered by the Apple App Store, which currently allows users to download up to three apps simultaneously. This move by Google narrows the gap between the two platforms, offering a more competitive user experience.
The new feature was first observed in version 40.6.31 of the Google Play Store on a selection of Pixel phones and tablets running Android 14, as reported by 9to5Google. While it is not entirely clear whether the change is a result of server-side updates or if it is tied to the specific version of the Play Store, the outcome is a more streamlined and efficient download process for Android users.
