What’s happened? Google has introduced a change in Android 16 that aims to make app updates faster and smoother.
- Currently, Android puts apps in a frozen state during an update to prevent them from running while their code and resources are being modified. This makes apps unavailable for several seconds and can also affect other apps that rely on them.
- According to Android Authority, the new “Seamless app updates” feature cuts down the time apps remain frozen, allowing users to resume using them with minimal disruption.
- With this change, apps will now freeze for only a few milliseconds instead of several seconds during updates.
Why is this important? The Seamless app updates feature reduces app downtime, letting users continue using their apps without significant interruptions.
- Users can expect to see a noticeable difference while updating large, complex, or system-critical apps.
- While minor, this quality-of-life improvement could make everyday app use feel more seamless.
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Why should I care? Since the feature isn’t exclusive to Pixel phones, you’ll benefit from fewer interruptions during app updates, no matter which Android device you’re using.
- If you’ve ever waited for a large game update to finish before jumping back in, this change will cut down that wait time significantly.
- Combined with the Play Store’s ability to install multiple app updates simultaneously, it’ll make the entire update process feel much more seamless.
What’s next? The Seamless app updates feature will be available on all devices running Android 16. Users can expect apps to reopen much faster after updates, especially in the case of large apps or games.
