Update, February 6, 2026 (11:02 AM ET): Google has responded to our request for comment with an explanation of this glitch:
“We are aware that some users are seeing an outdated “Google Play system update” date. This is a display-only issue. It does not affect device performance or security. We appreciate your patience and feedback as we work on a fix to ensure the labeling accurately reflects your current version.”
That sure suggests that this release is indeed a new update as we’d expect, and that it was only labeled with the incorrect date.
Original article, February 4, 2026 (09:35 AM ET): Google Play System Updates (GPSU) allow Google to deliver modular components of the Android OS directly to your phone, bypassing the usual manufacturer and carrier delays. The system isn’t perfect, though, as manufacturers like Samsung have had delays that they eventually rectified. Users are now reporting more weirdness around Google Play System Updates, as it seems the newest update is downgrading users from the January 2026 GPSU to the November 2025 GPSU.