February 2023 Google Play system update rolls out to Pixel in March

In the latest example of a late Google Play system update, the February 2023 patch for Pixel phones is just rolling out today after having missed its original month.

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On the Pixel 7 (running Android 13 QPR1 stable), the update is 54MB. On the Pixel 6 Pro (QPR2 Beta) and other devices, it is 50MB. We’re not seeing this update on a Pixel 7 Pro running Android 14.

Despite coming in March, it’s still better than the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro missing out on the December 2022 Play system update entirely. On Google phones, open Settings > Security & privacy > Updates > Google Play system update. After downloading, your phone will require a reboot.

Of note last month are tweaks to Nearby Share, like “audio and tactile feedback,” and a trio of additions for Wallet/payment. Google’s full changelog is below:

Critical Fixes

• [Phone] Bug fixes for system management & diagnostics, and utilities related services.^[1]

Account Management

• [Phone] Improved user experience for parents to give consent on behalf of supervised accounts.^[8]

Device Connectivity

• [Phone] Pin Nearby Sharing heads up notification to screen when shown.^[2]
• [Phone] Add audio and tactile feedback to Nearby Share.^[8]

Google Play Store

• New Features to help you discover the Apps & Games you love.^[3]
• Optimizations allowing faster and more reliable download and installation.^[3]
• Continuous improvements to Play Protect to keep your device safe.^[3]
• Various performance optimizations, bug fixes and improvements to security, stability and accessibility.^[3]

• With LiveOps reporting, you can report bad in-app events, offers, and updates from Apps & Games.^[4]

• [Phone] Learn more about search results by expanding them directly in the search results page.^[7]

Utilities

• [Phone] Bug fixes for Account Management, and System Management & Diagnostics related services.^[5]
• [Phone] Add autofill support for valuable cards from Google Wallet.^[8]

Wallet

• [Phone] Updated user experience within Google Pay to send money internationally to IN users using recipient’s phone number via third party services.^[5]
• [Phone] This feature provides improvements to the Google Pay experience in Japan.^[6]
• [Phone] Update appearances for transit card and payment screens.^[8]

Developer Services

• [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Machine Learning & AI related developer services in their apps.^[2]
• [Phone, TV] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Ads, and Maps related developer services in their apps.^[2][5]

System Management

• Updates to system management services that improve device connectivity, network usage, security, stability, and updatability.^[1]
• [Phone] Updates to System Management, and Usability services that improve Device Performance.^[6]
• [Auto] [TV] [Phone] [Wear OS] Updates to System Management, and Usability services that improve Privacy.^[8]
• [Auto] [TV] [Phone] [Wear OS] [PC] Updates to System Management, and Usability services that improve Stability.^[8]

^{[1]Available through Google Play system update for February.[2]Available through Google Play services v04.23 updated on 02/01/2023}

^{[3]Available through Google Play Store v34.3 updated on 02/01/2023}

^{[4]Available through Google Play Store v34.4 updated on 02/06/2023}

^{[5]Available through Google Play services v05.23 updated on 02/08/2023}

^{[6]Available through Google Play services v06.23 updated on 02/15/2023}

^{[7]Available through Google Play Store v34.6 updated on 02/20/2023}

^{[8]Available through Google Play services v07.23 updated on 02/22/2023}