Google Play Store no longer displays when some apps last received an update ('Updated on' details)

Google Play is without a doubt one of the largest app stores on the planet. Formerly known as Google Play Store and Android Market, the app acts as a marketplace where Android users can download and update free or paid apps.

The Mountain View-based has updated the Play Store design quite a few times and made significant changes to the UI to the point where users couldn’t find some useful options such as the ‘Update apps’ feature.

With that being said, one of the most useful features is the ability to see app information in the Play Store such as version number, updated on, number of downloads amongst much more.

Quite often, many users the ‘Updated on’ option to determine if an app is under active development or is abandoned by the developer. This helps them determine if they want to use the app or not, especially when it comes to paid apps. It also helps users know if the app was designed for which Android version.

For example, an app updated in 2015 will have fewer chances of working on the latest version of Android compared to an app that was last updated in 2019.

However, some users are now reporting that Google has removed the ‘Updated on’ section from the Play Store. You can in the image below that the option is missing.

I’ve noticed that a few weeks ago. I thought it was a bug at first but apparently it’s intentional. :-/ The Play Store has gotten worse and worse recently. The worst thing is the current menu for updating installed apps. It’s unnecessarily hidden. My father had to ask my where he can now find the list of available updates. Absolutely horrendous UX.
(Source)

It’s only on specific apps. My play store shows the same thing for this particular game but if I look up the Amazon Shopping app, it still tells me the last time it was updated. I checked other apps and they still tell me, as well. I wonder if it’s the developer who decides if they can make it visible or not.
(Source)

Those who are unable to see the ‘Updated on’ section are frustrated and wondering why Google removed such a useful feature in the first place. As of now, the ‘updated on’ text is missing from only a handful of apps.

But this raises the question of whether Google remove it for every app on the Play Store in the coming days. With Google yet to say anything on the matter, it is still unknown if the removal of ‘Updated on’ is a bug or an intentional change.

Maybe Google is testing the feature and looking for user feedback. That being said, we will keep an eye on the matter and update this article as and when required.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google Section so be sure to follow them as well.

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