Troubleshoot Google Play App Update Issues: Fixing Unavailable System App Updates

Google Play Store not showing system app updates

I’ve noticed something weird going on with the Google Play Store lately. When I check for updates, some system-level apps don’t show up in the Pending downloads screen, even though I’ve received a notification that they’re available. This has happened to me a few times in the past few weeks, and it’s getting a bit frustrating.

Update 9/4: This issue is still ongoing, and I’ve even seen it affect YouTube, which is a pre-installed app. When I go to the Pending downloads screen, it says there are no updates available, but if I visit the app listing directly, I can update it. This is getting weird.

Update 7/11: I’ve seen this issue happen again, this time with Google Partner Setup. This app is pre-installed on devices that run Google Mobile Services, and it’s used to ensure proper device functionality. According to Google, this app can’t be disabled or deleted, and it’s only updated through the Play Store.

Update 7/1: If you’ve received a notification saying you have one more update that’s not showing up in the Pending downloads screen, it’s probably Google’s Data Restore Tool. This system app helps you restore data from your old phone using a cable or cloud backup. It’s already installed on your device, but you can only access and update it through a direct Google Play link.

Original issue: This problem started a few weeks ago, and it’s been happening with various system apps. For example, I’ve seen it affect Settings Services and Google Wi-Fi Provisioner. When I receive a notification that an app has an update available, I expect to see it in the Pending downloads screen, but sometimes it’s just not there.

I’m not sure if this is an intentional change or a bug, but it’s definitely causing some confusion. If you’re experiencing this issue, you might want to try updating your system apps manually by visiting their listings in the Play Store.