Google Play services is an essential app to use Google apps. Other applications like Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram also require play services to work properly on your Android. It also helps updating apps from Google Play Store. This app provides core functionality like authentication to your Google accounts, synchronized contacts and location services which workRead More. The Google Play Store app is Google's official source for Android apps and downloads. In addition to housing over one million apps and games in its digital library, the Google Play Store also provides a multitude of music files and videos. Users can search for specific applications by keyword or browse apps in the Google Play library via category.

The Google Play Store gets frequent updates, which is great news. The not-so-great news is that it can take weeks, or for some people even longer, to get the latest iteration. The basic functionality never changes so being stuck on an older version isn’t all that bad. However, we understand the urge to get the latest and greatest version on your device.

Looking to update Google Play Store on your device? Here’s how.

Step 1: Check your current version

The first thing you’ll want to do is see which version you have to make sure you’re downloading Google Play Store’s latest version.

This can be done as follows:

• Open your Google Play Store app.
• Open the settings.
• Scroll to the bottom. You’ll find the “Play Store version” there.

Google Play Store: A definitive guide for beginners

This is important because you don’t want to install an older version of Google Play by accident. You also want to make sure you download a version that is compatible with your phone. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem unless you’re rocking some ancient version of Android like 2.3 Gingerbread — if that’s the case, it’s probably time to replace your phone!

Step 2: Download Google Play Store via an APK

It’s a pretty self-explanatory step. The Google Play Store comes in APK format like any other Android app. You can download APKs from websites, tech blogs, and trusted people on forums or other places. However, for now, APKMirror is probably your best bet for trusted Google Play Store APKs. Here is a short tutorial for downloading the Play Store app:

• Head to this link by clicking here.
• Find the version of the Play Store you want. If you want a newer version, reference your current version and see if a new one is available.
• Download the app by following the website’s instructions.

There are some other places that have recent Play Store APKs uploaded. However, APKMirror is just easiest method and it’s one that people generally trust. You shouldn’t have problems getting it from there.

Step 3: Deal with security permissions

The Unknown Sources setting has been a part of Android for ages. When disabled, it prevents users (and other apps) from installing applications from anywhere aside from the Google Play Store. Android Oreo changed this to a per-app permission rather than a system setting. Thus, there are two different parts to this one.

Before Android Oreo:

• Enter your device settings.
• Go to “Security”.
• Find the Unknown Sources option and check the box. A warning will pop up which you should definitely read. Once done, hit “OK” and this will enable you to install APKs from Unknown Sources.

If Unknown Sources isn’t in the Security settings, try finding it in the Privacy settings or Application (Apps) settings.

After Android Oreo:

• Begin installation with a file browser or through the web browser.
• Android will tell you that the app doesn’t have permission to install APKs. Click the available Settings button in that prompt.
• In the next menu, tick the box that lets that app install APKs.
• Hit the back button to return to your installation.

It’s a little more complicated, but the trade off is better security because the only app that can install third party APKs is the one you just gave permission to as opposed to the system-wide setting in previous versions of Android.

Step 4: Use a file manager and install the Google Play Store

Now that we’re all set to go it’s time to install this thing. Use your favorite file browser. For those who may not have one, you can see our recommendations here!

• Open your file browser and navigate to wherever you downloaded the Google Play Store APK. If you downloaded it on your device then it will be on your SD card in the Downloads folder.
• Once you find the APK, click on it. There may be a box that pops up depending on the apps you have installed on your device asking which app you want to use. If this is the case, click “Package Installer”.
• On the next screen, read over any permission changes (there usually aren’t any) and then click install. When it’s finished, the latest Google Play Store will be installed on your device.

Hey you did it! Wait, there is still one more step!

Step 5: Disable Unknown Sources

Leaving the Unknown Sources box checked is a major security hole that can cause problems down the road. The best way to keep yourself safe is to go back and turn that off! If you have Android Oreo or later, you are done and you can skip this step because these settings aren’t in your phone anymore.

Pre-Android Oreo:

• Go back into your device settings.
• Go back into the Security settings, Privacy settings, or Application settings (wherever you found it last time).
• Uncheck the box. This will prevent everything (except the Play Store) from installing apps. You can always re-check the box later if you need to do this again.

There’s probably a reason they changed it in Android Oreo and this is probably it.

Android Oreo and later:

• Head into the device settings and then tap on the Apps option.
• Scroll and find the app you used to install the Play Store. It’s usually the same browser you downloaded the Play Store with. Tap it.
• On the next page, check over its permissions until you find the unknown sources section. Untick the box to remove the permission to install apps from outside of Google Play.
• Please note – This process may change from phone to phone. Even stock Android is slightly different from Android Oreo to Android 11 when performing this task. If you can’t find it initially, keep looking. You’re not crazy, it’s probably just in a slightly different spot.

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How to install third party apps without the Google Play Store

You now know how to download Google Play Store to ensure you have the latest version. This method will work on almost any Android device, but there may be slight variances depending on your Android version and OEM. Do keep in mind that this will not work on Amazon Kindle Fire devices. That’s an entirely different process which may also require you to root your device.

We have all encountered problems with Google Play at one time or another. Every app has its issues. Yet, few things are more frustrating than trying to download that new game you’ve been waiting to play for ages, only to have your download pending indefinitely. But we are here to help! Here are the common fixes to the notorious Play Store download pending error.

Check current downloads and updates

More often than not, the culprit for a Play Store download pending error are apps updating at the same time. You will also encounter the problem if you are downloading multiple apps simultaneously or a couple of particularly large ones.

But if you urgently need to download Uber to get a ride, for example, here is what you can do:

1. Go to Google Play > Menu > My apps & games.
2. You will see which applications are in the process of being updated or downloaded.
3. Just press the X next to them to cancel the download and proceed with getting the app you urgently need.

Check your connection

It might sound silly, but this should always be one of the first steps you take. If you are using Wi-Fi, try to open a website on your PC or test your internet speed here. If it seems to be working but it’s slow, either restart your modem or contact your ISP. If it’s working normally but Google Play is still not downloading your app or game, switch to data temporarily.

Make sure you’ve enabled downloading on data. Here is how to do that:

1. Head to the Play Store and then tap on the menu button in the upper left corner (three lines).
2. Go to Settings > App download preference > Over any network.
3. If downloading resumes as normal, your home or office network is to blame. Restart your modem and if all else fails, call your Internet service provider.

Check your storage and SD card

A common cause for Google Play problems is lack of storage on your phone or SD card. Usually you will receive a notification if your storage is low when attempting a download. However, if you still want to make sure storage is not causing the download to pend, there are a couple of things you can do.

1. Check how much free storage you have manually by going to Settings > Storage.
2. Free up some space by uninstalling unused apps or deleting old photos and videos that you have backed up elsewhere.
3. Attempt your download once again.

If it’s still pending, your SD card might be at fault — it might not be positioned or set up properly. Cancel the download, eject the SD card, then carefully reposition it and reattempt.

Restart your device

If you aren’t downloading anything and your connection is fine, but your download is still pending, you should try restarting your device. It might be another no-brainer step, but it’s a surprisingly effective one. Just press and hold the power button on your device, then tap Restart.

Download apps through your browser instead

You can try circumventing the download pending problem by getting your apps via your mobile or PC browser. All you need to do is visit the official Google Play website and log into your Google account. Once you’ve done that, type the name of your desired app in the search bar. Find it among the results and click it.

You can then simply press install. You might be asked to enter your account password once more. When that’s over with, you can select a device of your choice from the dropdown list of devices associated with this Google account. It’s not a guaranteed to work depending on the reason for the download pending error, but it’s worth a try!

Clear Google Play app cache and data

If the steps above did not help, it’s time to try something different. Clearing the app cache of the Google Play Store app often solves a lot of problems, download pending issues included. Here is how you can do this (Note: the steps might differ depending on your Android version and manufacturer UI, but only slightly).

• Head to Settings, then Apps.
• Locate Google Play Store and tap it.
• Underneath the Disable, Uninstall updates, and Force stop buttons, you will see App notifications and other options. Tap on Storage.
• Make sure Google Play is closed and then hit the Clear Cache button.
• If you don’t want to repeat steps, you can clear the data as well.

Finally, you should restart your device. Once your smartphone or tablet has rebooted, downloads should be no longer be pending.

Clear Play Services and Download Manager app cache and data

If the previous step didn’t do the trick, head back to Apps. In the upper right corner tap the menu button (usually three dots or three lines) and select Show system. This will allow you to see system apps. Locate Google Play Services and repeat the same steps — clearing cache and data. You can then restart your device or go straight to the Download Manager app. Once again, clear app data and cache and then restart your phone. Everything should be back to running smoothly.

Check for system updates

Are your downloads still stubbornly pending? Sometimes an update or security patch might be all that’s needed. To check if one is currently available for your device, head to Settings. Scroll all the way down and tap on About > Software updates > Check now. If an update pop ups, install it and hope for the best.

Change your Google account

One of the other methods that might help you avoid the download pending error is removing or switching the Google account associated with the Play Store. Here’s how to do that:

• Go to Settings and scroll down until you find Accounts & sync. Tap it.
• Find your Google account on the list.
• Tap it and select Remove account.
• Restart your device.
• Once it’s back up, go to Accounts & sync and scroll to the bottom.
• You should see an Add account option. Tap it and re-add your old account or add a new one.
• Reattempt your download.

Uninstall and reinstall Play Store updates

If you are at the end of your rope and nothing seems to help, a more drastic step might be in order. Uninstalling all Play Store updates. You can do this through Settings > Apps > Google Play Store> Uninstall updates. You may be prompted to change the Play Store to its factory version. If so, tap OK.

Don't factory reset your phone if you haven't tried uninstalling Google Play updates.

All that’s left is to open Google Play and retry your download. Don’t worry too much about downgrading your Play Store though! The app will automatically update itself to the latest available version. If for some reason you need to update or install it manually, you can follow our detailed guide on downloading and installing the Play Store here.

How to download, manage, and update apps and games on the Google Play Store

These are our tips and tricks on how to fix the dreaded “download pending” Google Play error. Did we help you solve the problem? Do you have other solutions that worked for you? Let us know in the comments.

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