Google Play Services

Google Play Services is a proprietary background service and API package for Android devices from Google.[7] When it was introduced in 2012, it provided access to the Google+ APIs and OAuth 2.0. It expanded to cover a variety of Google services, allowing applications to communicate with the services through common means.[8][9]

Google Play Services
Google Play Services Logo
Developer(s)Google LLC
Initial releaseSeptember 26, 2012 (2012-09-26)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android20.47.14 / January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)[1]
Android TV20.47.14 / January 7, 2021 (2021-01-07)[2]
Wear OS (Android Wear)20.47.14 / January 7, 2021 (2021-01-07)[3]
Preview release(s) [±]
Android20.50.14 beta / January 8, 2021 (2021-01-08)[4]
Android TV20.50.14 beta / January 7, 2021 (2021-01-07)[5]
Wear OS (Android Wear)20.39.13 beta / September 30, 2020 (2020-09-30)[6]
Operating systemAndroid
LicenseProprietary
Websitedeveloper.android.com/distribute/play-services 

Services[10]

Google Play Game Services can be used by application developers to allow a competitive and social experience through the use of leaderboards, achievements and multiplayer sessions.[11] Saved Games API is available to sync game saves on Google's cloud infrastructure.[12] Location APIs provide specifications about the location technologies, providing Geofencing APIs for scheduling specific actions when the user enters or leaves specific geographic boundaries, Fused Location Provider acquires location information such as reduced power usage and activity recognition for allowing applications to adapt to the current action of the user (e.g. cycling, walking, etc.).[10]

The Google Sign-in Android API provides single sign-on, authenticating the user inside applications using current credentials.[13] The Google Maps Android API allows applications to include Google Maps or Street View without the need to open a separate application, allowing full control over the camera and providing a means of adding custom markers and map overlays.[14] The Google Drive Android API allows Google Drive to be used as a storage structure, providing lookup and syncing of documents along with other file manipulation tools.[15] The Google Cast Android API adds casting functionality to allow Android applications to display content on TVs using Google Cast, additionally providing various helpers for common audio, video and image types.[16]

Google Mobile Ads integrate advertisements into applications, allowing monetization by targeting ads based on factors such as user location.[17] The Google Pay API allows purchases of services and goods via Google Pay.[18] Other APIs include the Google Fit API, account authentication methods and Google Analytics.[8]

Google Play Services is used by almost all Google apps that have system-level powers.[19] All major Android services are controlled by Google Play Services. Without this, apps may not work properly.[20]

Google Play Protect is a unification of Android security systems.[21][22][23] In 2019, the company announced that the software was scanning 50 million apps per day.[24] On November 6, 2019, Google announced the App Defense Alliance. Partners can request Google Play Protect to analyze an app. Results are sent to the partner and Google Play Protect receives results from partners. As of November, 2019, partners of the App Defense Alliance include: ESET, Lookout and Zimperium.[25][26]

Adoption

Google Play Services is automatically updated through Google Play on devices with that application installed on Android 4.1 or newer.[7] This means Google can deliver updates without manufacturers having to update the Android firmware, working around the fragmentation of the platform for which it has become infamous.[27]

Concerns

The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) was announced in 2007, and functioned as the baseline system for all OEMs and firmware modifications such as CyanogenMod and LineageOS. Various AOSP apps were transferred to Google Play with a closed-source model. Many apps function only when Google Play Services are available (such as many of the Google apps like Gmail and YouTube).

Distributing Google Play Services as a part of the Google apps package requires a license from Google, which contractually prohibits them from producing Android devices that are incompatible with Google's Android specifications. Other who are interested in modifying the Android system are required to either opt-out of Google Play Services or to obtain the Google apps package from either a device that has them pre-installed or an unofficial source.[19][27]

See also
  • MicroG – open source implementation

References
  1. "Google Play services APKs". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. "Google Play Services (Android TV)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  3. "Google Play Services (Wear OS)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  4. "Google Play Services". APKMirror. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  5. "Google Play Services (Android TV)". APKMirror. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  6. "Google Play Services (Wear OS)". APKMirror. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  7. "Overview of Google Play Services". Google Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  8. "Package Index". Google Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  9. Google Play Services - AppBrain Market 29 January 2014
  10. "Build location-aware apps". Android Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  11. "Play Game Services". Google Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  12. "Saved Games in Android | Play Games Services". Google Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  13. "Add sign-in workflow". Android Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  14. "Add maps". Android Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  15. "Drive API for Android". Google Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  16. "Cast". Google Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  17. "Mobile Ads SDK". Google Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  18. "Google Pay". Google Developers. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  19. Ron Amadeo (September 3, 2013). "Balky carriers and slow OEMs step aside: Google is defragging Android". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  20. "Update Google Play Services Manually". oTechWorld. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  21. "Google's security suite 'Play Protect' rolling out to Android phones". Android Authority. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  22. "Google's Play Protect didn't catch obfuscated malware with up to 20 million installs on the Play Store". Android Police. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  23. "Keeping you safe with Google Play Protect". Google Blog. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  24. "Google Play Protect Now Scans More Than 50 Million Apps Per Day". Beebom. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  25. "The App Defense Alliance: Bringing the security industry together to fight bad apps". Google Online Security Blog. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  26. "App Defense Alliance | Play Protect". Google Developers. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  27. Ron Amadeo (October 21, 2013). "Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
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