Google Play Services

Google Play Services is a proprietary software package produced by Google for installation on Android devices. It consists of background services and libraries for use by mobile apps running on the device.[7] When it was introduced in 2012, it provided access to the Google+ APIs and OAuth 2.0. It expanded to cover a variety of Google services, allowing applications to communicate with the services through common means.[8][9]

Google Play Services
Developer(s)Google LLC
Initial releaseSeptember 26, 2012 (2012-09-26)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android23.09.14 / March 11, 2023 (2023-03-11)[1]
Android TV23.09.14 / March 12, 2023 (2023-03-12)[2]
Wear OS (Android Wear)23.09.14 / March 15, 2023 (2023-03-15)[3]
Preview release(s) [±]
Android (Beta)23.10.13 / March 15, 2023 (2023-03-15)[4]
Android TV (Beta)23.10.13 / March 16, 2023 (2023-03-16)[5]
Wear OS (Android Wear) (Beta)23.04.12 / January 30, 2023 (2023-01-30)[6]
Operating systemAndroid
LicenseProprietary
Websitedevelopers.google.com/android/guides/overview Edit this on Wikidata

The packages' services include location tracking and geofencing, single sign-on account services, user health and fitness tracking, payment processing, integrated advertising, and security scanning. Many apps on Android devices depend on the use of Google Play Services, and the package requires the user to use a Google Account and agree to Google's terms of service. Distributing Google Play Services on an Android device requires a license from Google, which contractually prohibits device producers from producing Android devices that are incompatible with Google's Android specifications.

Services

Google Play Game Services[10] can be used by application developers to allow a competitive and social experience through the use of leaderboards, achievements, and multiplayer sessions.[11] Saved Games API is available to sync game saves on Google's cloud infrastructure.[12] Location APIs provide specifications about the location technologies, providing geofencing APIs for scheduling specific actions when the user enters or leaves specific geographic boundaries, Fused Location Provider acquires location information such as reduced power usage and activity recognition for allowing applications to adapt to the current action of the user (e.g. cycling, walking, etc.).[10]

The Google Sign-in Android API provides single sign-on, authenticating the user inside applications using Google Account credentials.[13] The Google Maps Android API allows applications to include Google Maps or Street View without the need to open a separate application, allowing full control over the camera and providing a means of adding custom markers and map overlays.[14] The Google Drive Android API allows Google Drive to be used as a storage structure, providing lookup and syncing of documents along with other file manipulation tools.[15] The Google Cast Android API adds casting functionality to allow Android applications to display content on TVs using Google Cast, additionally providing various helpers for common audio, video, and image types.[16]

Google Mobile Ads integrates advertisements into applications, allowing monetization by targeting ads based on factors such as user location.[17] The Google Pay API allows purchases of services and goods via Google Pay.[18] Other APIs include the Google Fit API, account authentication methods, and Google Analytics.[8]

Google Play Services is used by almost all Google apps that have system-level powers.[19] All major Android services are controlled by Google Play Services, and many third-party apps also depend on it. Without this and its requirement to log in with a Google Account, apps may not work properly.[20]

Google Play Protect is a unification of Android security systems.[21][22][23][24] In 2019, the company announced that the software was scanning 50 million apps per day.[25] On November 6, 2019, Google announced the App Defense Alliance. Partners can request Google Play Protect to analyze an app. Results are sent to the partner and Google Play Protect receives results from partners. As of November, 2019, partners of the App Defense Alliance included ESET, Lookout and Zimperium.[26][27] In October 2023, Google announced that Play Protect would scan sideloaded apps for malware at install time.[28][29]

Adoption

Google Play Services is automatically updated through Google Play on devices with Android 5.0 or newer.[7] This means Google can deliver updates without manufacturers having to update the Android firmware, working around the fragmentation of the platform that has become infamous for Android products.[30][31]

Concerns

The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) was announced in 2007, and functioned as the baseline system for all OEMs and firmware modifications such as CyanogenMod and LineageOS. Various AOSP apps were transferred to Google Play with a closed-source model. Many apps (such as Lyft, Uber, and many of the Google apps like Gmail and YouTube) function only when the Google Play Services package is available and enabled.[19]

Distributing Google Play Services as a part of the Google apps package requires a license from Google, which contractually prohibits device producers from producing Android devices that are incompatible with Google's Android specifications. Others who are interested in modifying the Android system are required to either opt-out of Google Play Services or to obtain the Google apps package from either a device that has them pre-installed or an unofficial source.[19][31]

See also
  • MicroG – open source implementation

References
  1. "Google Play Services". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  2. "Google Play Services (Android TV)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  3. "Google Play Services (Wear OS)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. "Google Play Services". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  5. "Google Play Services (Android TV)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  6. "Google Play Services (Wear OS)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  7. "Overview of Google Play Services". Google Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  8. "Package Index". Google Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  9. Google Play Services – AppBrain Market 29 January 2014
  10. "Build location-aware apps". Android Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  11. "Play Game Services". Google Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  12. "Saved Games in Android | Play Games Services". Google Developers. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  13. "Add sign-in workflow". Android Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  14. "Add maps". Android Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  15. "Drive API for Android". Google Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  16. "Cast". Google Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  17. "Mobile Ads SDK". Google Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  18. "Google Pay". Google Developers. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  19. Ron Amadeo (3 September 2013). "Balky carriers and slow OEMs step aside: Google is defragging Android". Ars Technica. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  20. "Update Google Play Services Manually". oTechWorld. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  21. "Google's security suite 'Play Protect' rolling out to Android phones". Android Authority. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  22. "Google's Play Protect didn't catch obfuscated malware with up to 20 million installs on the Play Store". Android Police. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  23. "Keeping you safe with Google Play Protect". Google Blog. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  24. "Android Phone Security: Enhancements To Google Play Protect And Safe Browsing - TechShaky". 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  25. "Google Play Protect Now Scans More Than 50 Million Apps Per Day". Beebom. 9 May 2019. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  26. "The App Defense Alliance: Bringing the security industry together to fight bad apps". Google Online Security Blog. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  27. "App Defense Alliance | Play Protect". Google Developers. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  28. Amadeo, Ron (18 October 2023). "Android will now scan sideloaded apps for malware at install time". Ars Technica. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  29. "Android Phone Security: Enhancements To Google Play Protect And Safe Browsing - TechShaky". 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  30. Amadeo, Ron (2 September 2013). "Balky carriers and slow OEMs step aside: Google is defragging Android". Ars Technica. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  31. Ron Amadeo (21 October 2013). "Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary". Ars Technica. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
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