What’s new in Android’s September 2026 Google System Updates [U]

The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.

The following first-party apps comprise the “Google System”:

To update, open the Settings app > tap your name at the very top for “Google services” (on Pixel) > All services tab > Privacy & security > System services.

A feature appearing in the changelog does not mean it’s widely available. Some capabilities take months to fully launch.

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Google Play services v26.38 (2026-09-28)

Account Management

• [Auto] You can now sign in to your Google Account directly within the setup flow when you get started with Gemini in your vehicle.

Developer Services

• [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Maps related processes in their apps.
• [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Analytics & Diagnostics related processes in their apps.

Support

• [Phone] You’ll now get new features for Gemini, Circle to Search, Quick Share, Find Hub, and Android Auto.

Google Play Store v53.4 (2026-09-28)

• [Phone] Removed the “Users are saying” header above the review paragraph summaries in the Details Page Rating & Review section.

Android WebView v155 (2026-09-23)

• Refactored the androidx.webkit Navigation and NavigationListener APIs to be thread safe.
• Improvements to security and privacy and updates for bug fixes.
• New developer features for Google & 3rd party app developers to support functionality related to displaying web content in their apps.

Important: Some features may be experimental and available to certain users.

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Google Play services v26.37 (2026-09-21)

Health & Fitness

• [Wear] With this update, you’ll get improvements and bug fixes for real-time metric data sent from your watch to your phone.

Safety & Emergency

• [Phone] With this update, Motion assist can help mitigate motion sickness with subtle, visual shapes that move in sync with a vehicle’s motion.
• [Phone] With this update, you can more easily find the Driving Do Not Disturb feature.

System Management

• [Phone] Updates to system management services that improve Device Performance and Stability.
• [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] This update adds support for larger and more refined system emoji font downloads.

Google Play Store v53.3 (2026-09-21)

• [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] You can now make purchases in local currency in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Ethiopia.
• [Wear] This update includes changes to the search results page.
• [Phone] You can add a pre-registered paid title to your wishlist once it’s published.

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Google Play services v26.36 (2026-09-14)

Account Management

• [Phone] Bug fixes for Account Management related services.

Developer Services

• [Phone] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Maps related processes in their apps.

Device Connectivity

• [Phone, Wear] New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support Device Connectivity related processes in their apps.

System Management

• [Auto, PC, Phone, TV, Wear] Bug fixes for System Management & Diagnostics related services.

Wallet

• [PC, Phone] Enable real-time cart price adjustments when a user selects or changes their payment method during checkout.

Google Play Store v53.2 (2026-09-14)

• [Phone] You can now use the Contribution Hub cluster on the “You” tab to submit ratings and reviews while you track the social impact of your contributions.

Android WebView v154 (2026-09-10)

• We changed WebView Finch from Application consistent to Device level consistent.
• Improvements to security and privacy and updates for bug fixes.
• New developer features for Google & 3rd party app developers to support functionality related to displaying web content in their apps.

Important: Some features may be experimental and available to certain users.

Android AICore

• [PC, Phone] Model management enhancements, expanded device compatibility, performance optimizations, and enhancements to diagnostics.

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Google Play services v26.35 (2026-09-07)

Account Management

• [Phone, Wear] Improvements to Supervision.
• [Phone] A new infrastructure within Kids Auth Module to manage and display regulatory compliance notices on Android.

Location & Context

• [Phone] This update adds safety status information to shared locations in the location sharing API.

Wallet

• [Phone] You can now use NFC to add physical transit card passes and balances to Google Wallet.
• [Phone] This update introduces a new “Add a card” success screen with an improved UI.

Google Play Store v53.1 (2026-09-07)

• [Phone] You can now find a short description that highlights a key feature in similar apps, in the similar apps section of the app details pages.
• [Phone] You can now find on what devices an app is installed when you browse recommendations on the other devices sub-navigation.
• [Phone] With a new navigation bar, you can explore more of your interests directly on Play home pages.

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Android System Intelligence B.29 / C.7 (2026-09-03)

• [Phone] Bug fixes and maintenance changes.