Google Play Store May Soon Get Dedicated Collection Widgets for Food, Games, Shopping and More

Google is working on a new set of dedicated widgets for the Play Store that could make it easier for Android users to access their favourite app categories directly from the home screen. The feature has been spotted in an unreleased version of the Google Play Store app and is currently under development.

According to an app teardown by Android Authority, Google is preparing to split its existing Play Store Collections widget into multiple category-specific widgets. Instead of using a single widget to access different Collections, users may soon be able to place individual widgets for specific categories on their home screens.

Dedicated Widgets for Individual Collections

The Play Store introduced Collections in 2024 to help users discover and revisit apps grouped by themes such as Shopping, Food, Games and Entertainment. Currently, Android users can choose between two widget layouts that provide access to multiple Collections from a single widget. Google Play Store Top Free Apps List: ChatGPT, Story TV, Meesho, Kuku TV and Google Gemini Among Most Downloaded Play Store Apps by Android Users This Week.

The upcoming update suggests Google plans to replace this approach with dedicated widgets for each Collection, allowing users to customise their home screens with only the categories they use most.

Eight Collection Widgets Spotted

Code found in version 52.1.26-31 of the Google Play Store indicates support for eight standalone Collection widgets:

• Food
• Game
• Listen
• Read
• Shop
• Social
• Travel
• Watch

These widgets are expected to provide quicker access to apps and recommendations related to each category without navigating through the Play Store. Google Play Store Top Free Apps List: Google Gemini, Sony LIV, Perplexity, ChatGPT and Flipkart Among Most Downloaded Play Store Apps by Android Users This Week.

Feature Still in Development

The new widgets are not yet functional and cannot currently be added to the home screen. Android Authority noted that the feature is still under development, meaning Google could modify or even cancel it before its public release.

There is also no official timeline for when the widgets will become available to Android users.

More Home Screen Customisation

If rolled out, the dedicated Collection widgets would offer greater flexibility than the existing Play Store widgets, enabling users to pin only the categories they frequently access. The change would also align with Google's continued efforts to improve app discovery and personalise the Android home screen experience.

As with other features discovered through app teardowns, Google has not officially announced the update, and availability may vary when it is eventually released.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2026 06:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).