Hot topics

How to Download and Install the Google Play Store

PlayStore faithie 582418722
© faithie/Adobe Stock

Unbelievable as it may seem, there are occasions when it is necessary to install Google Play Store manually. Whether you have accidentally uninstalled it, or you want to revert to a previous version, or even if your Google Play Store is not working and you just want a fresh install, there's a solution! In this article, you will learn how to install the Google Play Store on your Android phone.

Jump to:

1. Check your current Google Play version

Updates take time and don't arrive at the same time for all Android devices. This is why sometimes you might want to download and install a newer version of the Google Play Store, especially if your current one is causing you trouble. Before rushing to download the latest Play Store APK, however, you should first check which version of the Play Store app you have installed at the moment. Here is how to do it:

  1. Open the Play Store and tap on your profile picture.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Expand the About section by tapping on it.
  4. Scroll down until you see the Play Store Version field.
Screenshots on checking the Play Store version
In the past, checking for the Play Store version was much more complicated. / © NextPit

Google Play Store version numbers explained

The numbering system for Google Play Store versions may seem a little confusing at first, but it's easy to get your head around. If the jumps between numbers seem odd, that's simply because Google didn't publicly release the versions in between. Also, Google differentiates builds for these specific product lines:

  • [0] - For all devices.
  • [5] - For Android Wear / WearOS.
  • [8] - For Android TV.

2. Download a Google Play Store APK

Please note that the following guide to install the Google Play store is for owners of an Android device with a licensed version of the app installed. We recognize that is sometimes necessary to re-install or roll back the Play Store app.

Download the latest version of Google Play or a previous version of the Google Play Store? Try APK Mirror.

As usual, most of the changes are under the hood, aimed at making everything run more smoothly. We haven't been able to find significant changes to the user interface or new features in the latest Google Play app version. If you download the update and notice any errors, however, check out our guide to troubleshooting the Google Play Store.

3. Install the Google Play Store

The simplest method to install the Play Store will already be quite familiar to you if you're an avid follower of this website: just download and install the Play Store APK manually. An APK is the Android equivalent of an EXE file (DMG on Mac) on your computer.

Instead of downloading an app from the Google Play Store, you simply install it yourself without the Play Store's help. We've even got a handy guide to help you:

This is, of course, extra useful when the app you want to install is the Play Store itself. There are two ways to get the Google Play APK installed on your device: Directly on your smartphone or through your computer. We'll do it the easy way first.

Install Google Play Store with your smartphone

On Android Oreo and above, such as Pie and Android 12, the process to install the Google Play Store is a bit more complicated than before. Here is what you need to do:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Select the Apps & notifications option (can be named Apps, or similar, depending on the phone).
  3. Tap on the See all apps (or All) option.
  4. Scroll down and select your mobile browser—Chrome, for example.
  5. Select the Install unknown apps option.
  6. Activate the Allow from this source option.
Screenshots on how to allow installing apps from third-party sources
You can disable this option after you're done. / © NextPit

For older versions of Android (before Oreo) you will need to simply go to your Settings menu and enable installing from unknown sources, then open the above link. You'll be prompted whether you allow the download and installation. APKMirror is a safe source, so it's ok to hit Yes.

After setting the options above, it is time to download and install the Google Play Store.

  1. Using the browser on your device, go to the APK Mirror website to download the APK for the latest version of the Play Store.
  2. You may get a message warning that "this type of file can harm your device." Ignore it (trust us) and tap OK.
  3. Open the APK (you can tap the completed download in your notifications menu), read the new permissions (if any) that the new Play Store version requests, then tap Install.

Install Google Play Store using a computer

If you don't have mobile data or a Wi-Fi connection on your device, you can download the Play Store app APK to your computer instead. The same process applies, but you will need a file manager app installed on your smartphone if your device doesn't come with a preinstalled one.

  1. Download a third-party file manager app, if you don't have one—Google Files, for example. Allow it to install apps from unknown sources, following the same steps as described for your mobile browser.
  2. Using the browser on your computer, go to APK Mirror to download the APK for the latest version of the Play Store.
  3. Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable and copy the APK over to your Android device.
  4. Find the APK using your file manager app.
  5. Launch the APK, accept the permissions, and tap Install.
  6. Don't forget to remove the permission to install from unknown sources from your file management app if you don't intend to sideload more APKs.
Photo showing a smartphone connected to a notebook computer.
Sideloading from your PC with a USB cable can sometimes avoid installation problems with APKs. / © fusssergei/Adobe Stock

Once you've reinstalled the Google Play Store app, you shouldn't worry about having to download every following version manually again. As soon as there's a newer version than the one you sideloaded, the Google Play app will automatically update. If you are still experiencing problems, however, it's time to do some troubleshooting.

4. Google Play Store troubleshooting

Google Services Framework is a crucial service that lets the Play Store communicate with apps on your device, allowing for automatic updates and so on. If these functions stop working, or you experience other problems, then there may be a problem with the service. In such a case, you should clear the cache on both Google Play Store and Google Play Services. To do this:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Select the Apps & notifications option (or Apps).
  3. Tap on the See all apps button (or All).
  4. Scroll down to Google Play Store, and select it.
  5. Then tap on Storage & cache.
  6. Tap on Clear cache.
  7. After that, follow the same steps for Google Play Services.
  8. That should fix most problems you'll experience with the Google Play Store.
Screenshots showing how to clean an app's cache storage on Android.
Most errors with the Google Play Store can be fixed by simply clearing the app's cache. / © NextPit

Note: depending on what type of device you have, it may need to be rooted to manually install the Google Play Store, but that's a tutorial for another day.

5. Bonus: How to update the Google Play Store

In 2021, Google added an option in the Play Store's settings to force an update. This is how you do it:

  1. Tap on your profile picture in the Google Play Store app.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Tap on the About section to expand it.
  4. Tap on the Update Play Store button.
  5. If the app detects a new version, touch the Got it button.
Screenshots showing how to update the Google Play Store on the app itself
The option above to update the Google Play Store was added in 2021. / © NextPit

What is the one must-have feature you want in the Google Play Store? Do you like the latest update? Let us know in the comments.


Article updated on May 2023 with revised instructions. Older comments were kept and may refer to previous versions of this page.

The current best Samsung phones to buy

  Editor's choice S23 with a bigger display 2023 flagship 2023 foldable flagship 2022 fodlable flagship 2023 compact foldable 2022 compact foldable Affordable flagship The popular mid-ranger
Product
Image Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23+ Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Product Image Samsung Galaxy A54 Product Image
Review
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23+
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Not yet tested
Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Review: Samsung Galaxy A54
Price
  • $1,199.99
  • $999.99
  • $799.99
  • $1,799.99
  • $1,799.99
  • from $999.99
  • $999.99
  • $699.99
  • $449.99
Offer*
nextpit receives a commission for purchases made via the marked links. This has no influence on the editorial content and there are no costs for you. You can find out more about how we make money on our transparency page.
Go to comment (183)
David McCourt

David McCourt
Editor

David enjoys staying abreast of the latest technology and newest Android apps. Outside of the office, he can be found playing snooker and writing bad 00s indie songs.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
183 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 1
    Calvin Smith Jan 5, 2022 Link to comment

    can you help me download the google play store


    • Fabien Röhlinger 72
      Fabien Röhlinger
      • Admin
      • Staff
      Jan 5, 2022 Link to comment

      Please try the above mentioned steps. If it does not work, we need to know what the problem is.


  • 1
    Calvin Smith Jan 5, 2022 Link to comment

    how do i download the google play store


  • 1
    Calvin Smith Jan 5, 2022 Link to comment

    why cant i download the google play store


  • 1
    infoinsides Feb 7, 2021 Link to comment

    This guide on how to install google play store or update is relay very useful


  • 1
    freedatacheat May 24, 2020 Link to comment

    thank you


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Sep 17, 2019 Link to comment

    i just wish this and other google apps would use less resources and be a bit smaller

    Sorin


  • 1
    Adhir Bar Aug 18, 2019 Link to comment

    Unable to the download Google play store


  • 1
    Pounraj Jul 11, 2019 Link to comment

    super


  • 3
    Jenkinson May 22, 2019 Link to comment

    Is Google able to stop Play Store being used on a phone which is running the apk? I'm thinking of Huawei.


    • 1
      Andrew joy Apr 11, 2020 Link to comment

      Yes


  • Aman Ramola 1
    Aman Ramola Jan 31, 2019 Link to comment

    My play store is not working its continusly showing chek your internet and wifi connection and i have connection.


  • F.Alam 7
    F.Alam Jan 1, 2019 Link to comment

    Thanks


  • 3
    3dreal Oct 10, 2018 Link to comment

    Don't be alarmed, unknown sources are simply locations outside of the Play Store, which is critical if it's the Play Store itself that you want.
    Should be: which ISNT critical


    • 1
      Alkohol May 13, 2019 Link to comment

      No, that is precisely correct for the meaning intended. If it is the Play Store you want to install, then you do have to install from unknown sources because the Play Store app that would handle the installation (from the only known source -- the Play Store) is either not functioning or updating as quickly as desired. So you have to manually download the Play Store app and tell the device to install it under unknown source permission.


  • Cody Myers 1
    Cody Myers Oct 5, 2018 Link to comment

    took me 4 hours. Time to fucking kill myself lmao


  • SinchanDey Blogs 2
    SinchanDey Blogs Mar 21, 2018 Link to comment

    I have faced an issue with an old Samsung device where the Playstore constantly crashed. I simply used to clean the cache and it made life easier.

    rania


  • 1
    Jacoby Pierce Mar 16, 2018 Link to comment

    This STILL isn't working for me. I received a replacement LG G4 phone and it is not authenticating so I can't download any apps. I have cleared cache and data, restarted, uninstalled play store updates, installed APK play store twice and still NOTHING. please email me at jacobypierce716@gmail.com if you know how to fix this please.


    • 3
      3dreal Oct 10, 2018 Link to comment

      in android 7 i dont see clear cache and data anymore in the apps. where is that. also have a google pay-problem, update was blocked since i was working elsewhere (paypal?)with the problem. a clear instruction what must be set where-a tutorial should be offered by both paypal and google-play. google pay seems has nothing to do with that.


  • 4
    zoeyst Mar 2, 2018 Link to comment

    Every time I have problem with Google Play Store, I just clear the Clear cache, and every time it works.

Show all comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing