Google Play Store could soon let you update third-party apps: Here’s how it would work

Google Play Store

Google Play Store is the default source for installing apps on most Android devices. However, many Android smartphone manufacturers are now including their third-party app store to install popular applications. Sadly, these app installations are not mostly supported or updated on the Google Play Store. But, this could change soon.

According to an APK Teardown by Android Authority, new updates on the latest Play Store version 42.0.18 suggest that the Play Store will now show a new option for apps installed from third-party sources. This new ‘Update from Play’ toggle will allow you to update apps on the Play Store, which are downloaded from third-party app stores.

This would be a welcome change for Android smartphone users and would provide them with a sense of security from their app installations. However, it is still unclear whether an app that you haven’t downloaded from the Play Store will be updated directly from the Play Store in the future after you enable this option.

Currently sideloading of third-party apps is barred on Apple devices, with only limited users in the EU region only able to use this feature. Google also introduced a new feature that allows an app store to update ownership for apps you have downloaded.

While it doesn’t prevent users from installing updates from third-party sources, you will be presented with a pop-up message suggesting that the particular app they are updating is installed from a different source.