Updater stranded in one version of Downloads

[adrienneb]

Weird things are going on in my folder Downloads when approached through the app Downloads that came with the stock FP OS. I’m still on 19.11.2, Android 7.1.2, and not particularly eager to update (as I currently need the phone for authentication and don’t have much time to deal with any glitches right now). As for the Updater: v.1.50.1 (I know there is a newer one around somewhere).
So the issue may be getting obsolete, and I’m not really bothered by it either. Still I’d like to share it, as I find it intriguing.
Here goes.
When I go to the folder Downloads via the app Downloads (which actually leads to Documents first …), it looks like this:

However, curiously, when I go to Settings>Storage>Explore>Downloads, I just see the files I actually downloaded in the past.
So what I get to see in the folder Downloads depends on how I get there – which puzzles me.

When I tap on any of the files “Checking for updates / Unsuccessful”, the options I get are Delete or Retry – which doesn’t lead anywhere.
Tapping on “Checking for updates / 803 B” however, leads to the Updater:

While CANCEL works, RESTART doesn’t result in a restart, and an actual restart doesn’t make any difference – not really surprising as the supposed download is (consistently) 803 B.

I first noticed these attempted downloads during what turned out to be a Google/Android cock-up, back in March, so at first I thought it was related. Now I don’t think it actually is, as the attempts occurred in February already.

Can anyone make chocolate out of this? – as we would say in Dutch.
How does the Updater end up in Downloads, and/or why are these attempts only visible when approached by the app Downloads?

[mdione]

I’m not an expert on this either, but this is my take, as I’m experiencing the same thing.

@adrienneb

why are these attempts only visible when approached by the app Downloads?

What you see through the Downloads app is the list of download attempts, with failed attempts giving you the option to either retry or remove.

@adrienneb

How does the Updater end up in Downloads

I don’t think it’s the Updater that ends up there, but that those files are somehow handled by, or maybe it’s because they were dowloaded by, the Updater, so when you click on them, the Updater app is launched.

[adrienneb]

@mdione

What you see through the Downloads app is the list of download attempts, with failed attempts giving you the option to either retry or remove.

Yes – but one of the things that intrigued me is that I don’t see those attempts (both types failed one way or the other) when I go to Settings > Storage > Explore > Download(s).

(BTW, in the mean time, the Play Store started to suggest to update the Updater to v.1.50.2 – which I’m postponing, as I don’t want to be offered to upgrade to Android 9 right now. Might render at least part of the issue even more obsolete though.)

[mdione]

@adrienneb

I don’t see those attempts (both types failed one way or the other) when I go to Settings > Storage > Explore > Download

Well, most have failed, so you definitely won’t see anything, as that’s a list of files, so you will only find the ones that succeeded. Although I’m not sure what happens if a download fails midway (say, you downloaded 60% of a file, then you lost connectivity).