Google is Bringing an iOS-like Update to Android

Google has been spotted testing iOS-like update progress bar indicators.

The progress indicators may certainly be a limited test as Google grays out the icons in the launcher for applications currently being updated or installed. The progress bar indicates update progress and text that replaces the app name indicating what is currently happening.

The reports are from a Pixel 5 running Android 12 Beta 1 with the Pixel launcher and a new version of the Play Store.

Founder APKMirror.com and AndroidPolice.com, Artem Russakovskii states that the feature works when the “Add new apps to Home screen” feature is enabled manually on most home screen launchers.

The updated feature is slightly different than iOS visually in using an exterior progress bar that follows the edge of the icon as compared to the interior circular/pie progress bar.

The update also picks up on system accent colors. Similar to iOS, the app icon is grayed out during the update process, while text underneath the application is replaced with a description of the current update action.

The update also works for newly installed apps if the launcher is configured to dump them on the home screen. Similar to iOS, the app appears grayed-out with the progress indicator and label until they have been completely installed.

Although, Android does something similar for applications when they are restored from backups during the device setup process. However, the progress indicator does not have the same label replacement.