Play System Update: Android optionally syncs downloads to Google Drive

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Every month, Google releases updates via the Play Services and the Play Store. The updates include new features for smartphones and other products in the Google ecosystem such as tablets, watches, smart TVs, Android Auto, and Chromebooks, without requiring a full Android update from device manufacturers.

Cloud Download Backup

With updates to Play Services versions 26.05 from February 9th and 26.06 from February 16th, Google is delivering some new features for end-users, while others are specifically aimed at developers. According to the release notes for the February update, Google is introducing innovations for utility services. Particularly interesting is a new backup option for downloads, which could potentially prepare for the release of Aluminium OS, the Android version for notebooks.

In the new release notes for the Play Services update, Google describes the new feature as follows: "With the new local file backup feature, you can automatically save your downloaded documents to Google Drive, so they are safe and accessible from any of your devices."

This means that the "Back up or copy data" function, already available in Android, is receiving an extension. So far, the feature includes a backup option for photos and videos. These data are backed up in Google Photos. Additionally, the function has long supported the backup of "other device data." This includes call logs, device settings, SMS/MMS, SIM data, and more. It is currently uncertain whether the download folder will be visible in Google Drive or only synchronized with download folders from devices with the same Google account. The option is not yet displayed to us.

As Android Authority reports, the synchronization of the download folder might also be limited to specific file formats such as documents. According to Android Authority's information, downloaded files are to be backed up as static copies and not continuously synchronized between the smartphone and Drive. This would mean that changes made to a file after backup would not be reflected in the Drive copy.

What else?

In addition to the download backup, the February updates also bring changes to the setup of smart home devices in the Google Home app: According to Google, users will be shown "dynamic, device-specific instructions with images for device preparation and factory resets."

In the system management area, the update is said to include an improvement of connection options for cars, PCs, smartphones, TVs, and wearables. Google has also optimized the updatability of device categories. Furthermore, additional optimizations are expected to improve battery life, device storage, and network usage on smartphones and TVs.

The innovations should be rolled out to many devices – not just Google's Pixel line – in the coming days or weeks.

November 2025 instead of February 2026

Don't be alarmed: After installing the new Play Services, it's possible that January or February 2026 might not be displayed in the versioning, but rather November 2025. This is apparently an error. However, according to Google, it's just a display error; the current version is still installed. The company confirmed this to Android Authority.

(afl)