Google is introducing a new feature in the Play Store that will allow users to automatically open apps immediately after installation. This feature is controlled by a new toggle that will be available in-app listings, giving users the option to choose if they want the app to launch as soon as the installation is complete. The toggle was first discovered during a teardown of a previous Play Store release in June and has now been enabled ahead of its official rollout.
APK teardowns are a method used to predict upcoming features by analyzing work-in-progress code found in the APK files of an app. While this process can reveal potential new features, there is no guarantee that all of them will be included in public releases.
In this specific case, the new auto-open feature introduces a “Turn on Auto-open” toggle, which appears beneath the Open button on the Play Store page after a user selects Install. If enabled, this feature will automatically launch the app once it has finished installing. The Play Store also provides a visual cue with a notification that shows how long it will take for the app to open, with a 5-second timer included.
This feature is reportedly functional in Google Play Store version 42.5.15, indicating that it should be available to users soon. Updates will be provided as the feature begins to roll out more widely.
