Android Authority reports Play Store is testing download controls and a new paid-games UI

The download feature is designed to let users pause and resume app downloads without canceling them. Currently, someone starting an app download on the Play Store only sees an option to cancel the download. With the new feature, a "Pause" button would appear; tapping it pauses the download and adds a "Resume" option. Android Authority said the Play Store's built-in download manager would also show paused downloads, letting users resume them directly instead of reopening the app's page.

Being able to pause downloads could give users more control, especially when they need to prioritize one app over another or don't want a large download to consume mobile data. Android Authority noted that a paused download could be resumed later on Wi-Fi. Although the feature was seen in an unfinished state earlier, the outlet said it now appears fully functional after adjustments and could roll out in a future Play Store update, though Google may distribute it slowly.

The second change affects how paid games are displayed in the Play Store. According to Android Authority, Google is working on a more immersive UI for paid games so they stand out from free apps. The new design shows the game's banner image prominently, with reviews, ratings, age rating and device compatibility placed at the bottom of the banner. It also includes the "Ask Play" UI reported last month, featuring a scrollable strip of contextual question chips.

Android Authority said the new paid-games UI looks more polished but currently omits some details, such as download size and download count. Google could add that information as development continues. The company has not indicated when, or whether, the UI will be released. Android Authority said both features remain in testing and have not been made public by Google.