The latest Google Play Store update (version 45.2.19-31) has discreetly removed a helpful, albeit lesser-known, app-sharing feature. Introduced in 2021, this functionality enabled Android users to share apps with others using “Quick Share.”
This removal might go unnoticed by many, as the app-sharing option wasn’t widely publicized and remained underutilized even by those aware of its existence. However, this feature proved particularly beneficial for users in areas with limited internet connectivity. It allowed for app transfers via local connections, bypassing the need for Wi-Fi or cellular data, thus conserving bandwidth. This was especially valuable for sharing large applications, like games or graphic design software, in regions with slower download speeds.
Android users sharing apps via local connection.
While Google hasn’t offered an official explanation for this removal, alternative solutions remain available. Several third-party apps facilitate data sharing over Bluetooth, offering similar functionality, though not directly integrated within the Play Store.
This isn’t the first time Google has discontinued a product or feature without a clear rationale. While app sharing had a relatively small user base, Google has a history of shutting down even popular services. This trend has become a common observation among users, with the extensive list of discontinued projects often referred to as the “Google Graveyard.” This quiet removal, while impacting a niche feature, highlights Google’s ongoing practice of streamlining its offerings, sometimes at the expense of user convenience.
