Learn more about Google Play services for system management

Google Play services enables useful services on your device and helps make your device more secure and reliable. System management is one such service that is provided as part of Google Play services.

Learn more about Google Play services and other services enabled through Google Play services.

Important: Google Play services is different from the Google Play Store.

Google Play services for system management keeps your device up to date with various system, application, and performance updates. It also provides some security features, such as Google Play Protect for Android devices.

For example, Google Play services for system management provides functionality such as timezone updates, device setup experience, and sending system related notifications to your Android device.

Important: Some system management functionality works only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check and update your Android version.

Control your preferences

To manage your timezone settings on your Android device:

1. On your device, go to Settings.
2. Tap System  Date & time.

Learn more about Google Play Protect.

How Google Play services for system management handles your data

Google Play services for system management may collect and share certain information and use certain permissions to support related functionality on your device, such as the examples described above.

Permission use

Google Play services for system management may use device permissions.

• Location may be accessed periodically in the background to optimize device connectivity and to set your device’s time zone.
• Nearby devices such as Bluetooth may be accessed to securely share, receive, and pair with devices. 
• Contacts may be periodically accessed in the background to improve availability of your contacts for Google apps and services on your device.
• Call logs may be periodically accessed to help perform core services on your device, like to discover and verify the phone number associated with your Google Account.
• Phone may be periodically accessed in the background to make sure your device stays up-to-date, and to improve the security and reliability of your device. Learn more about the Android Device Configuration Service. 
• SMS may be periodically accessed in the background to send SMS and MMS notifications on your device. 

Additional data collection

Google Play services for system management may also collect and store the following data to support system management related functionality.

• Device and account identifiers such as your Google Account identifier, software versions, and performance data may be used to help ensure your device receives software updates and security patches.
• Device attributes such as device manufacturer, model name, timezone, and screen size may be used to ensure compatibility of the apps, services, and software versions.
• Network and performance data such as IP address and SIM operators may be used to maintain device connectivity and preserve battery life.

Any information that Google collects is handled in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy.