Google Play Store Shows Repeat App Updates, But What’s the Point?

The Bug That Won’t Go Away

Have you ever opened the Google Play Store to find that your favorite apps are being updated again, even though you’ve already installed the latest version? You’re not alone. On Friday evening, many Android users started noticing repeat app updates, and it’s not the first time this bug has occurred.

What’s Going On?

Take a look at the screenshot below, showing the Pending downloads section of the Play Store. Notice how Gboard, Google Messages, Pocket Casts, and The Athletic don’t display the update size. Instead, they simply note the “Updated at [time].”

After tapping “Update” for these four apps, the version number doesn’t change. The Play Store is actually downloading a small file (around 1-2 MBs) for each app and going through the “Installing” process. It seems like you’re re-updating to a version that’s already installed on your device.

What’s the Impact?

The good news is that we haven’t noticed any problems with the “updated” apps, so there’s no real user impact beyond wasting a few megabytes. However, it’s unclear whether the repeat “updates” are actually necessary and whether Google Play will eventually pull them.

We’ve encountered these repeats on Android 14 (Samsung) and 15 (Pixel) devices across several Google Accounts. So, if you’re experiencing this issue, you’re not alone.

What’s Next?

As we continue to monitor this bug, we’ll keep you updated on any developments. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing repeat app updates, let us know in the comments below.