Google has announced new features for Google Play covering personal Android app creation, content discovery, gaming, PC titles, rewards, and family safety. The updates include tools for creating private apps, comparing applications, finding games based on individual preferences, and interacting with other players.
Create and launch personal Android apps
Google is introducing a way to build custom Android apps using Google AI Studio through vibe coding and install them on personal devices through Google Play. Users need only a standard Google account, without registering for a developer account. These apps remain private, secure, and separate from the public Google Play Store catalog.
Users will also be able to share their personal apps with a close circle of friends and family. Those who want to distribute their apps publicly can move to a professional developer account, after which their apps will undergo the same Trust & Safety reviews and quality standards as apps from other professional developers.
Google Play expands discovery across devices
Google is adapting the Play Store experience to different devices. In cars with Google built-in, the interface adjusts to the vehicle’s screen. On XR devices, apps appear in a 3D browsing space, while Googlebook highlights apps optimized for large screens.
Google is also expanding discovery based on users’ interests. Sports Topic Pages cover soccer competitions, including the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Liga MX, and Major League Soccer.
Meanwhile, Ask Play provides tailored recommendations in response to questions and can compare apps by highlighting key differences and user sentiment. Play in Gemini brings Google Play apps, games, and developer content into Gemini conversations.
Game Finder adds personalized recommendations
Google’s Game Finder combines Google Play’s gaming knowledge with its community of more than 2 billion players to help users find games based on preferences such as gameplay mechanics and art style, rather than popularity alone.
The feature uses Gamer DNA, an analysis of how users play and the preferences they share. Users can refine their profiles by specifying games, genres, mechanics, and other interests. Game Finder also provides information to help users evaluate titles:
- How players with similar Gamer DNA engage with a game.
- How many people they follow are playing a particular title.
- Summaries of user reviews.
- Games that are trending and the reasons behind their popularity.
Google is also introducing Game Playlists, allowing users to create collections of games and explore collections created by other players.
New social gaming features
Google is adding features for competitions, gameplay recording, and game-related discussions.
- Sprints: These 48-hour challenges match groups of two to five players for competitions.
- Sidekick: Google’s in-game overlay supports recording 30-second Playbacks.
- Community Posts: Players can ask and answer questions directly on a game’s detail page. The feature supports automatic translations across all games and languages, while developer posts and official announcements are planned as additional features.
More PC games and limited-time trials
Google is expanding its PC game catalog with titles such as Dave the Diver and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. Additional releases include REPLACED, Chosen by Odin, and Over the Hill. These games support play across Android mobile devices and PC, with cloud saves.
In addition, Google is expanding Game Trials from mobile to PC games, allowing users to try full premium games for a limited time before purchasing them.
Google Play Points adds Play Fest rewards
Google is launching Play Fest, a week-long event offering rewards through Google Play Points. Users can access Play Points multipliers, claim in-game items and developer offers, and enter sweepstakes for real-world prizes. Google Play Points covers activity across mobile and PC.
Family Link adds age-range sharing for apps
Google is introducing an option for parents to share a child’s age range, or their own, directly with apps through the Play Family Link app. Apps can use this information to provide age-appropriate experiences while receiving only the minimum information required for that purpose.
The feature adds to Google’s family safety and privacy measures as the company expands support for custom AI-generated apps.
Availability
Google is rolling out the new features in stages, with availability varying by feature, market, and device. The announcement includes the following rollout details and planned releases:
- Personal app creation: Rolling out today in select markets, including the U.S., for users aged 18 and above. Sharing personal apps with friends and family is planned for the coming months.
- Ask Play and Play in Gemini: App comparisons in Ask Play start today, while Play in Gemini will roll out to all Gemini users soon.
- Game Finder and Game Playlists: Game Finder starts rolling out today in English to U.S. users, with additional markets planned. Sharing playlists and exploring other players’ collections will be available soon.
- Sprints, Sidekick, and Community Posts: Sprints rolls out to all markets today. Sidekick’s 30-second Playback recording is rolling out to select devices. Community Posts is available across all games and languages, with automatic translations; developer posts and official announcements will roll out over the coming weeks.
- PC games: Additional releases, including REPLACED, Chosen by Odin, and Over the Hill, are planned for the next few months.
- Play Fest: The Google Play Points event runs for one week.