Google Play Services 26.43 Adds Automatic Photo Backup to Windows

More changes in the update

Users of family accounts get a new "Family" entry in the system settings, placed directly beneath the Google settings. It shows an overview of family members, any subscribed Google One plan with its storage usage, and the shared services.

The Google Password Manager also gains an option. When importing credentials, users can now manually choose which logins to keep if passwords and passkeys conflict. Passkeys are credentials that replace passwords and can be approved, for example, with a fingerprint.

Google also updated its system management services. According to the company, the new version is meant to improve "battery life, device connectivity, device performance, privacy, security, stability and updatability". In addition, there are functions for Google and third-party developers that support location- and context-based flows in apps. Google also fixes bugs in security and emergency-related services and updates loyalty cards in Google Wallet, where it squashes further bugs.

Why it matters

Unlike classic Android updates and security patches, Play services updates do not depend on device makers. The improvements reach users directly on all Android devices with Play services, which covers most of them. That includes not only smartphones but also tablets, smartwatches, smart TVs, cars with Android Auto and Chromebooks.

Google usually distributes such updates in waves. On one editorial test device, the new Play services version was already installed, while the Play Store itself was still running an older build.