Google Play Store now lets you download two apps at once -- sort of

Google has upgraded the Play Store to offer an experience that App Store users have had for a long time. The Google Play Store will now let you download two apps simultaneously, ending long waits if you have multiple apps to install on your Android phone. Although Apple allows simultaneous downloading of three apps, Play Store’s new feature is a respite for users like me who cannot wait for all apps to be installed individually. But it is not exactly the way I expected it to be.

New Play Store update

According to 9to5Google, the latest Play Store version 40.6.31 offers the ability to download two apps concurrently. Spotted on a Pixel smartphone, the new Play Store feature shows downloading apps on the home screen in colour, while those waiting to be downloaded are in grayscale. Since the limit is two simultaneous downloads currently, all other pending downloads are labelled “Pending.” This, however, is slightly different from what previous leaks suggested. Rumours were rife that the multi-download functionality would allow simultaneous downloading of at least five apps, which hints at a potential upcoming change to the Play Store’s download policy.

Simultaneous downloading of two apps from the Play Store. (Image: 9to5Google)

It’s not perfect

Although Google appears to be taking a step in the right direction in its war against Apple, the new Play Store feature is not exactly ideal. According to the report, concurrent downloads work only for new apps. That means when you update existing apps, they finish one by one. On the other hand, Apple does not differentiate between new and existing app downloads and allows three simultaneous downloads on the App Store. Google is unlikely to introduce the simultaneous app downloading feature to app updates anytime soon, but there is always a possibility considering the company has Apple to look up to.

Who will get the feature?

The new multi-download feature is available to Pixel phones with the latest Play Store version currently, but all Android users will likely receive it eventually. However, Google has not officially announced the feature yet, and a date for a wider rollout is also unclear.