Google has confirmed that it will use the Google Play services infrastructure to update Android phones with the upcoming covid-19 contact tracing system. It should ensure that more Android phones will actually get the updates, and also ensure that they become available on phones running Android 6.0 marshmallow or above.

Google Play is the only reliable system that exists for getting software updates pushed out to Android phones in a timely manner. The other way – full operating system updates – is often fraught with delays from both carriers and manufacturers.

Google says its update system will apply to both phases of the Bluetooth contact tracing framework. The companies will say only that the second stage will arrive’in coming months’.

All of the Android phones in China, as well as any Huawei phones sold around the world. Google is not allowed to export software to its phones, which can not include Chrome or Gmail.

Google intends to publish a framework that companies could use to replicate the system developed by Google and Apple. It will be up to Huawei, Xiaomi, and other Chinese manufacturers to decide whether to use the system.