What's new in the August 2024 Google system updates for Android?

The monthly Google System Release Notes primarily detail what's new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system updates for Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features are for end users, while others are for developers.

The following first-party apps make up the “Google system”:

Just because a feature appears in the changelog doesn't mean it's generally available. Some features take months to fully roll out.

Settings Services v1.1.0.657487486 (15.08.2024)

• [Phone] Back up saved rules and transfer them to your new Pixel.

Android WebView v128 (08/14/2024)

• Security and privacy improvements and bug fixes.
• New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support features related to displaying web content in their apps.

Important: Some features may be experimental and available only to certain users.

Device Health Services v1.27.0.661949495 (12.08.2024)

• [Phone] Optimizations for adaptive battery functions.

Last month, a new Comics tab was announced along with the Collections widget.

Google Play Store v42.3 (08/12/2024)

• [Phone] You can watch live streams on the Comics tab.
• [Phone] Updates to ads on search pages provide an improved overall experience with more ad visibility.

SIM Manager v29 (12.08.2024)

• [Phone] General bug fixes and reliability improvements.

The “Everything Else” option in Google Wallet is officially rolled out across the board with this release.

Google Play Services v24.31 (07/08/2024)

Wallet

• [Phone] This new feature allows you to add passports to your Google Wallet using passport photos.

System administration

• [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] Updates to System Management Services that improve media support and upgradability.

Previously, the Google Play system update was released at the end of each month. (What is listed as new doesn't really change.) There was no such update in July. The next Google Play system update (after the June one) came out in early August.

In fact, Google lists the August update (dated 08/05/2024) as part of the July 2024 changelog, which has yet to be archived with the new month.

Google Play system update (08/05/2024)

• [Phone] Updates to system management services that improve device connectivity, network usage, security, stability, and upgradability.
• [Phone] Bug fixes for services related to system administration and diagnostics.