Google Play Store is reportedly working on a new download manager feature that will allow users to easily track the apps they have downloaded. This feature was discovered in the APK teardown of Google Play Store v42.9.16-31 and is currently in development. It’s important to note that while APK teardowns may reveal upcoming features, they are not necessarily indicative of what will eventually be released. The download manager is expected to be accessible from the Play Store’s main menu (possibly as a new tab or section). You’ll see a list of all recently downloaded apps and their download status (downloaded, installed, etc.). Users can sort the list by various criteria such as installation time and schedule time, allowing them to better organize and manage their downloaded apps.
Screenshot of the download manager currently being tested. |Image credit — Android Authority
One interesting aspect of this potential feature is the ability to see which apps you’ve downloaded but haven’t opened yet. This is especially useful for users who often download multiple apps at once and may forget about the ones they haven’t tried yet. By clearly displaying unopened apps, Download Manager can encourage users to explore and use new apps they might have forgotten about. In addition to the download manager itself, Google also tracks the number of recent app and game downloads. This badge appears on the app’s details page and provides users with additional context about the app’s popularity. Although the number of downloads isn’t always a perfect indicator of quality, it can be a helpful factor when users decide whether to try a new app.
We look forward to seeing how Google develops this feature and whether it will eventually be released publicly. If implemented carefully, a download manager can be a valuable tool for managing and exploring apps within the Google Play Store ecosystem.
