Google Play redesign brings new “You” tab, AI search, and expanded gaming features

Google has rolled out a sweeping redesign of Google Play, transforming the app marketplace into a more personalized hub for apps, entertainment, and gaming. The update introduces a new You tab, upgrades to the Apps tab, and a major overhaul of Google Play Games, signaling a shift toward tailored recommendations and unified experiences across mobile and PC.

The “You” Tab: A Central Hub for Content and Personalization

The new You tab serves as a central space for users to manage their subscriptions, rewards, stats, and activity history, while also surfacing personalized recommendations across different content categories. Beyond apps and games, the hub integrates audiobooks, podcasts, and other media, allowing users to easily resume in-progress content.

Rolling out first in select Play Points markets before expanding globally on October 1, the You tab also incorporates the new gamer profile for players who want to track achievements, streaks, and activity across multiple devices. Users can customize their profile with AI-generated avatars and choose to make activity public, creating a more social layer for Play.

Expanded Entertainment and AI-Powered Discovery

The Apps tab has been restructured to spotlight entertainment and seasonal content. Dedicated spaces highlight regional interests, such as a new mobile drama and film hub in Korea, while U.S. users gain access to short-form dramas, trending TV clips, and webcomics directly from Play. Seasonal spotlights—like sports events or holidays—will also appear in an immersive carousel format tailored to user preferences.

In addition, Guided Search introduces a more intuitive way to find apps. Rather than typing exact keywords, users can enter natural language queries such as “find a home” or “deck-building games.” Google Play’s AI then organizes the most relevant apps into curated categories, simplifying discovery.

Gaming: Unified Profiles, Sidekick, and PC Expansion

Gaming is one of the most significant areas of change. Google Play Games now offers a platform-level gamer profile, enabling players to track achievements, statistics, and streaks across devices and titles. Play Points integration has also been expanded, rewarding gameplay activity across both mobile and PC.

Google is also introducing Play Games Leagues, time-limited global competitions where players can earn Play Points. The first event, featuring Subway Surfers, runs from October 10 to 23.

Game detail pages are being updated to include event listings, developer updates, and progress summaries, while new Community Posts let players ask questions or share tips directly within the Play Store.

Another major feature is the Play Games Sidekick, an AI-powered in-game overlay. Powered by Gemini Live and trained with DeepMind models, Sidekick provides real-time hints and guidance without requiring players to exit their game. Select users will begin testing the feature in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Google Play Games on PC has exited beta, offering access to more than 200,000 titles, including Subnautica, Mecha Break, and the upcoming Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. This expansion highlights Google’s focus on cross-device continuity.