Google Testing New Feature For Tracking Downloads On Play Store

In recent years, despite increased competition, the Google Play Store remains a top choice for discovering apps on most Android devices . While the platform makes installing apps seamless, locating newly installed apps can sometimes be challenging.

To address this, Google is reportedly developing a new ' Download Manager ' for the Play Store that could help users keep track of their recently downloaded apps . According to an APK teardown by Android Authority, strings of code in Play Store version 42.9.16-31 suggest that this feature is currently in the works.

In a newer version of the Play Store, early activation of this feature showed that the Download Manager not only displays apps currently being downloaded but also lists recently installed apps that haven’t been launched since installation. Once a user opens any app from this list, it is removed from the 'Recently Installed' section.

However, unlike traditional download managers, which allow users to pause or resume downloads, Google’s version appears to lack that functionality at this stage. While this feature may not appeal to every user, it can be especially useful for those who frequently download multiple apps or forget to open them after installation.

It’s important to note that this feature isn’t yet publicly available in the Play Store, and Google has not officially announced it. The timeline for release remains unclear, ranging from weeks to possibly months—or Google could decide to scrap the idea altogether. Recently, however, Google did update the Play Store to allow simultaneous downloading of multiple apps.