Google Play Store Not Showing System App Updates – What’s Going On? How To Fix

A growing number of Android users have noticed that the Google Play Store is not displaying updates for system apps in the Pending downloads section.

While these updates are available, they don’t show up automatically, and users must visit the app’s Play Store page to update manually.

What’s the Issue?

When checking for app updates in the Play Store, system-level apps like YouTube, Google Partner Setup, and Google’s Data Restore Tool do not appear in the list.

However, when you search for these apps directly in the Play Store, an “Update” button is available.

This issue has been ongoing for months, affecting different Google apps at different times. Some common apps impacted include:

• YouTube
• Google Partner Setup
• Settings Services
• Google Wi-Fi Provisioner
• Google’s Data Restore Tool

Possible Reasons

1. Intentional Change: Google may be treating system apps similarly to Google Play Services, which updates automatically but never appears in the Pending downloads list.
2. Bug in the Play Store: Some users speculate that this could be a glitch affecting how system app updates are displayed.
3. Auto-Update Behavior: If auto-updates are turned off, these system apps won’t update unless users manually check the Play Store.

What Can You Do?

• Manually Check for Updates: Search for the system app directly in the Play Store to see if an update is available.
• Enable Auto-Updates: This might ensure system apps update in the background, even if they don’t appear in the list.
• Wait for a Fix: If this is a bug, Google may resolve it in a future Play Store update.

For now, if you rely on manual updates, regularly checking app listings in the Play Store is the best way to ensure you’re running the latest versions.