If you’ve ever used an iPhone, you’re probably familiar with how iOS adds homescreen icons for apps before they’ve been fully installed, unlike Android, which adds the icon after installation is complete. Now, though, Google appears to be testing a copy of Apple’s feature.
A Twitter user (via XDA) spotted this new functionality while installing apps on the Android 12 Beta. It’s unclear if this is tied to Android 12 or to a newer Play Store version, 25.3.17-21 in this case, but regardless of where it’s coming from, it’s still only a test at this point.
Those seeing the test will get a placeholder icon for apps that are currently being downloaded. The icons are greyed out and have a progress bar around the exterior while the app is downloading. Presumably, this also applies to app updates as well.
We could not replicate this app install behavior on a Pixel 4 XL running the same Play Store version and the Android 12 Beta with the Pixel Launcher homescreen.
More on Android:
- Android 12 adds ‘Nearby device’ permission so wearable apps can stop requesting ‘Location’
- Android 12 Beta 1: Power menu is blocked by Assistant, but an upcoming button will fix that
- You can now watch all the Android 12 sessions at Google I/O 2021 [Videos]
- Here’s everything new in Android 12 Beta 1 [Gallery]
- Android 12 Beta is coming to devices from OnePlus, Nokia, and more
Author: Ben Schoon
Source: 9TO5Google
