Help Using the Play Store

[Deleted User]

I bought this phone just over 2 weeks ago & still learning about it. I do like it & it's been good so far.
What I want to know is, how do I get the Google Play Store to STOP showing me certain Updates & Recommendations?

When I open the Play Store & go to My Apps & Games, there are 3 tabs: Updates, Installed & Library.
Under Updates & Library, even if I've uninstalled an app, the Play Store STILL wants me to either Update/Install that same app.

In my pictures, I don't want to update Google Connectivity Services because I'm not sure what it is/or if I really need it. And I've already uninstalled Google Pay, Google One & Roku; so how can I remove those recommendations?

Also, does the little circle at the bottom of the Library tab, just keep circling or is it supposed to stop?

 

[puppykickr]

When you open the Google Play app, swipe to the right, ot touch the hamburger menu on the top left.

Then scroll down until you find Settings.

Go through each one individually.

I personally highly recommend turning auto-update off.
(You can ask me why later.)

 

[puppykickr]

If I remember correctly, Google Connectivity is something to do with a VPN service provided by Google.

The funny thing is, VPN services were in large part created to foil the data collection of companys like Google.

To top it off, there are many other VPN services available.
Most are probably not really trustworthy, especially the free ones.

It boils down to what info you are transmitting from your device when on a public Wi-Fi system.

If it is sensitive info, then you may not want to be using public Wi-Fi for that anyway.

 

[puppykickr]

The 'Library' section is just that, a record of the apps that have been on the device.

If you tap the 'X' near a name of an app you will be prompted if you want to delete it from your library.

 

[Deleted User]

I opened the Play Store>Settings>Notifications & turned OFF 'Updates Available', 'Updates Completed', 'Pre-registration' & 'Deals and promotions'. I then turned the phone OFF & back ON. I still see Google Connectivity Services, but my Library is now clear.
So turning those settings OFF sort of helped.

I read a little about Google Connectivity Services: "includes Wi-Fi Assistant, which automatically connects to high-quality public Wi-Fi & secures those connections by transmitting data through a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) managed by Google." So MAYBE it's safe. I did check my phone's app list & it's a built-in app anyway.

Also, in my Library tab, the uninstalled apps: Google Pay, Google One & Roku, didn't have an 'X' by them. Don't know why.

Thank you for the help.

 

[puppykickr]

Like I stated before, VPNs (good ones) are designed tho prevent companies from doing exactly what Google does.

So, in my opinion, a VPN operated by Google is like allowing the inmates to run the asylum.

 

[puppykickr]

The reason(s) for the missing 'Xs" may be due to differences in our devices or in versions of the Google Play Store app.

 

[mikedt]

Like I stated before, VPNs (good ones) are designed tho prevent companies from doing exactly what Google does.

So, in my opinion, a VPN operated by Google is like allowing the inmates to run the asylum.

I agree, and besides the Google run VPN is completely useless to me.

FWIW for VPNs I'm currently using AstrillVPN and ExpressVPN, both paid.