Google Play is enhancing user accessibility by introducing an app shortcut for Google Play Collections, allowing users to launch curated feeds more quickly and efficiently.
App Shortcut for Google Play Collections
Previously, accessing Google Play Collections required users to place a widget on their homescreen, with different size options ranging from a 2×1 bar with four shortcuts to an expanded full-screen feed.
With the latest update, users can now access Collections directly by:
✔ Long-pressing the Google Play Store icon to reveal the “Collections” shortcut alongside “My apps.”
✔ Dragging the shortcut to the homescreen, allowing one-tap access to Collections.
✔ Using device search (like Pixel Launcher) to quickly find and open Collections.
This update makes it easier than ever to navigate Watch, Game, Read, Listen, Food, Shop, and Social feeds without the need for a widget.
Availability & Rollout Details
- The Collections app shortcut has been spotted in Google Play Store version 44.8.15, though its rollout depends on a server-side update and is not yet widely available.
- Version 44.9 of the Google Play Store will expand Collections access to Android 10-12 devices in the U.S.
Google Play Collections: A Growing Feature
Originally introduced in July 2024, Google Play Collections saw a wider U.S. rollout in September 2024. With this latest enhancement, Google is ensuring that users can quickly access curated app recommendations in a more seamless and intuitive way.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
