Need a Google account to auto update w/ Play Store?

fuffles

I've read some stuff on this subject that hasn't given me a super definitive answer.

The docs say you have to be signed in to install apps, but doesn't mention if you have to be signed in for updates:

Signing in into a Google account is optional, unless you want to use features depending on being signed into an account. For example, some apps use Google account authentication instead of their accounts having a username and password. The Play Store requires being signed into an account in order to install apps or use in-app purchases.

This reply says you have to be logged in to get auto updates. I found a few other posts about Play Store updates not working but it's not clear whether they were logged in while having this problem.

I'm asking because Play Store shows no updates are available unless I log into a Google account, which I wasn't expecting. I've been using GOS since 2022 I think but only found out recently that using Aurora Store isn't recommended by GOS people. Now I've switched from a Pixel 6a to a 9a and this time I wanna do things right, so I got all my apps from either Play Store or F-Droid.

I don't want to be logged into Google 24/7 if I can help it though, even though the account I used to get the apps has fake info. I've moved away from Google as much as I can (without switching to Apple products obviously, ew) but as far as I'm concerned, osmand+ and libretube just don't cut it as maps and youtube replacements. So if I'm logged in all the time, even if it's an account with a fake name on it, it still means Google is learning crap about where I go and what I'm interested in.

So do I have to be logged in all the time to get auto updates? Or maybe I log in once a week or so to log in, do updates and log out? That would suck but tbh Aurora Store auto updates never worked for me so I'm actually already used to that...

c86

fuffles

Yes, being logged in to the Play Store gets your apps auto updated. If you want to login once a week to check for updates, you can. But this method would delay any critical vulnerability patching for your apps should any occur.

Some people would be OK with that. Others would want to keep tabs on when app updates release to see release notes to confirm if its a "right now" or "later" update. I'd find that more inconvenient.

Nobody

It would be nice to have a script to auto schedule something like enabling g play and services at a user chosen interval and updating apps then allowing option for gplay and services to be disabled again. Could be set to update every 24hrs but otherwise be disabled. More and more apps are using the Google services it's becoming more and more limited apps pool that does not. Seems most apps do not want to deal with push notifications on their own. Even Amazon has shifted to it this year as now apps like Audible tech require it for it to function 100%. I tend to do a manual triggered update 2x per week cycling enabling/disabling the services and store. But I agree the faster you can get security updates the better.