Android doesn't just get a big annual firmware update, but there are also smaller monthly updates. Google Play security updates are one of them, but they are different from monthly security patches; this is what they do.
What is a Google Play system update?
Google Play system updates were introduced to Android 10 (originally known as Project Mainline). It is mandatory that all Android devices 10 or newer include Google Play system updates. Although phone and tablet manufacturers are responsible for delivering security patches, Google sends system updates from Google Play.
With Android 10, Google took 12 main components and divided them as “modules”. Google can now tackle these modules independently, without submitting a full firmware update or involving the phone manufacturer.
Google Play system updates primarily address security issues, but they are not the same as monthly security patches. They are both responsible for different things. All Android devices 10 and above can get a security update from Google Play, regardless of whether they have the latest security patches.
A good example of where the Google Play system updates could have helped was the Stagefright security bug in 2015. Stagefright was an attack on a media player component in Android. The media framework is one of the 12 components that can be updated via Google Play system updates. Many devices were never patched to protect against Stagefright due to requiring a firmware update.
That's the most important thing about the Google Play system updates: no firmware updates or phone manufacturers required. This doesn't mean that Google can completely bypass your phone manufacturer and offer you the latest features right away.. Despite this, means you won't have to worry about some more critical security issues.
Check what version of the Google Play system you have
To check the version of the Google Play Security Update or for a new update, swipe down from the top of the screen (once or twice, according to the manufacturer of your device). After, tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
Touch “Security”.
At the top of the screen, you will see a section “security status”. If the Google Play system is up to date, its icon will be green. You will also see the date of the most recent update. If the icon is red, you may need to reboot to install the update.
To manually check for an update, Touch “Google Play system update”.
Touch “Search for updates”.
Please note that the “security update” and the “Google Play system update” they will not necessarily have the same date.
