What’s new in Android’s August 2026 Google System Updates: More accurate Wear OS workout routes

The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.

The following first-party apps comprise the “Google System”:

• Adaptive Connectivity Services: Search the “All apps” list in Settings and open App info for the version number
• Android System Intelligence: App info
• Android System Key Verifier: App info
• Android System SafetyCore: App info
• Android System WebView: App info
• Android TV Core Services
• Device Health Services: App info
• Google Partner Setup: App info
• Google Play Protect Service: App info
• Google Play services: App info
• Google Play Services for AR: App info
• Google Play Store: App info
• Google Play system update: Settings > About phone > Android version
• Private Compute Services: App info
• Quick Share Extension
• Settings Services: App info
• SIM Manager: App info
• System parental controls: App info

To update, open the Settings app > tap your name at the very top for “Google services” (on Pixel) > All services tab > Privacy & security > System services.

A feature appearing in the changelog does not mean it’s widely available. Some capabilities take months to fully launch.

Google Play services v26.31 (2026-08-10)

Account Management

• [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Account Management related processes in their apps.

Developer Services

• [Phone, Wear] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Account Management related processes in their apps.
• [Auto, PC, Phone, Wear] Bug fixes for Developer Services related services.

Health & Fitness

• [Wear] You’ll get more accurate workout routes through server-side processing of raw location measurements on Wear OS devices.

System Management

• [Phone] Bug fixes for System Management & Diagnostics related services.

Google Play Store v52.7 (2026-08-10)

• [Phone] You can now open app details pages from the Top Charts page on large screens.

Android System Intelligence B.28 / C.6 (2026-08-06)

• [Phone] Bug fixes and maintenance changes.

Android AICore

• [PC, Phone] Enablement and improvement of features including audio streaming, efficiency improvements, and enhancements to diagnostics.

Private Compute Services B.28 / C.6 (2026-08-03)

• [Phone] Maintenance changes.

Google Play services v26.30 (2026-08-03)

Wallet

• [Phone] You’ll now get an improved user experience for Wallet passes.

Google Play Store v52.6 (2026-08-03)

• [Phone] With this update, HSDP persistent overlay affordance (HOPA) includes updated branding information.
• [Phone] You can now discover and explore popular movies and TV shows directly in your Google Play search results for broad, exploratory searches.
• [Phone] To enhance discoverability on the Play Store Apps Home, a new sports feature introduces league-specific carousels for major events such as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, that allows users to explore upcoming matches and connect with dedicated streaming providers.
• [Phone] You can now find app content within the Play Store from your installed apps on Tablets.
• [Phone] Records clicks on search home query recommendations to search history, and normalizes search history to lowercase and deduping multispaces.