[Android Apps and Games] ipdev:
I apologize for the long delay.

I missed the mention/quote notification. ;)

This got long and OT.

Since it has nothing to do with TeMeFi. ;)

I put the bulk of it in hide tags.

Google wants to control what version and variation of an app is installed.

By default, Autoupdate is turned on for system installed apps.

Google will update system apps even if you are not logged into a Google account.

You can turn off the Global Autoupdates flag in the PlayStore app settings when you are not logged in.

Sometimes, just clearing cache and/or data of PlayStore or PlayServices will revert the Autoupdate flag.

If you are logged into your Google account when system app Autoupdate flags get reset, it might also reset the flag on you account(s) that are logged in.

Now that Autoupdate is turned back on in your account, any device logged into the same account will find the change when it scans for updates.

It only takes one device to reset your account Autoupdate setting.

This includes turning off Autoupdate Globally or per app. Only need to turn it off again on one device.

This is why I normally skip though the initial setup on a device only changing the minimum.

Adjust time/date, toggle off some of the Google stuff, skip logging in.

Google will update (downgrade) everything to the current default versions.

Since the updates are not linked to my account, when I am ready to log in, my preferences are normally not affected.

This is not always a guarantee.

Any excuse Google can use to override or reset your preferences, Google will. ;)

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A year (or so) ago, I was testing when the mount command changed in Android levels.

mount vs. mount -o bind

[I was using Nexus device(s) and Factory Stock Google roms.]

Google updated PlayServices and PlayStore from Android 5.x and newer easily.

I had some issues with Android 4.x but it eventually updated.

If the installed version is too old, then you have to wait for the update before you can enter PlayStore.

PlayStore opens and gives a friendly reminder that your PlayStore is out of date and is updating. Please wait.

Google's core four [GMS, Framework, Vending, (Is the fourth still named wallet?)], will be updated (downgraded) to Google's current default as soon as possible.

Once you log into your Google account, Google will once again compare the versions installed to the versions on your account.

More updates (downgrades) will be triggered.

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My main account, is actually updated slowly by Google.

Must be in the General (last wave) release.

My secondary account receives update earlier than my main account.

Must be in the second wave release group.

My testing account is hit or miss.

I get some non-beta updates early, some late.

My testing account is signed up for quite a few Google Beta apps.

Including PlayServices, PlayStore and YouTube. ;)

It does not seem to make a difference what version is installed, this has been Google's M.O. for a long time. ;)

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Just to clarify my comments about Google downgrading.

Google can not drop an app version below what is installed in system.

Google can control what variation is installed.

By installing a different variation of the same version to userdata.​

Google will remove an update in userdata and replace it with an older version.

If the update is newer than the one available in your account.

If it is a system app, as long as the one available in your account is newer than the system version, it will be replace.

If the one in system is newer than the one in your account, the update in userdata will be removed or replaced by the correct variation of the system app version.​

Google will take over installed apps that were not installed by PlayStore.

If you install an app manually or from another App store.

If Google has a version of the app, that is the version it will want you to use.

Install a newer version of an app from the Amazon or Samsung app store..

Google will give you an update notice. If you update the app from PlayStore, you actually downgrade until the app is updated on PlayStore.​

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YouTube is a good example of how Google controls what version is allowed to be installed.

I found an old post about YouTube and what triggered the update notification at the time.

[APP][MOD][ROOT/NONROOT] YouTube Vanced Edition - xdaThread] - Link

Note: Currently it is done with split-apk files.

Netflix on the other hand, is a good example of how Google will take over.

Netflix does not require any Google services to install, log in and use.

PlayStore:

Netflix is not available to install on this device.​

Install Netflix manually.

PlayStore:

Update is available. Netflix.​

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Google is not a perfect symbiotic relationship.

You need to keep eye on the parasite and keep it in check. :p

This gives me an opening to bring this back to On-Topic. ;)

Your detach script(s) are currently the best option for detaching apps from Google PlayStore.

It has been a while since I used the Amazon or Samsung app store.

If you use the detach method(s) to detach from Google, would this also affect an alternative app store?

Cheers. :cowboy: