Google Play Store Not Downloading Apps How to Fix It

Google Play Store Not Downloading Apps How to Fix It

You tap Install and nothing happens, or the Play Store sits on Download pending or Waiting for download forever. The good news: this is almost always a connection, storage or queue problem, and you can fix it without losing anything. Work through the steps in order - the first four fix most cases.

Menu names below are from recent Android versions. On Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands the wording can differ a little; if you can't find a menu, use the search bar at the top of Settings.

Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection

Google's first advice is a strong connection, ideally Wi-Fi.

• Open any website in Chrome. If it doesn't load, fix the connection first - our guide to WiFi not working on Android covers that.
• On mobile data, check that data isn't turned off for the Play Store and that you haven't reached a data limit.
• In the Play Store, tap your profile picture > Settings > Network preferences > App download preference. If it says Over Wi-Fi only, downloads wait until you join Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Check What Else Is Downloading

Play Store works through a download queue. If dozens of app updates are running, your new app waits in line - that's the usual reason for Download pending.

1. In the Play Store, tap your profile picture > Manage apps & device.
2. Look at Updates available and any updates in progress.
3. Cancel the updates you don't need right now, or let them finish.

Step 3: Free Up Storage

Google recommends deleting content if you have less than 1 GB free.

1. Open Settings > Storage to see how much space is left.
2. Remove apps you don't use, old videos and large downloads. Our smartphone storage full guide lists what to clear first.

If you use an SD card, some apps won't install to it - keep space free on the internal storage.

Step 4: Close the Play Store and Restart the Phone

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to see recent apps, then swipe the Play Store away.
2. Open it again and retry.
3. If that doesn't help, press and hold the Power button (on some phones, Power + Volume up) and tap Restart.

Step 5: Check Date and Time

A wrong clock breaks the secure connection to Google's servers.

1. Open Settings > System > Date & time.
2. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically (the exact names vary).

Step 6: Clear the Play Store Cache and Storage

This resets the store app only - your installed apps and their data are not affected.

1. Open Settings > Apps (you may need to tap See all apps).
2. Tap Google Play Store > Storage & cache (or Storage).
3. Tap Clear cache, then open the Play Store and try again.
4. Still stuck? Go back and tap Clear storage (or Clear data). You may need to accept the Play Store terms again.

If that doesn't work, repeat the same steps for Google Play services (turn on "show system apps" in the menu if you can't see it). Clearing Google Play services storage can sign some apps out, so do it only after the Play Store steps.

Step 7: Update Android and the Play Store

1. Open Settings > System > Software update (Samsung: Settings > Software update) and install any update.
2. In the Play Store, tap your profile picture > Settings > About > Play Store version and tap Update Play Store if offered.

Step 8: Remove and Re-Add Your Google Account

Only do this if you know your Google password - you will need it to sign back in.

1. Open Settings > Passwords & accounts (or Accounts and backup > Manage accounts).
2. Tap your Google account and choose Remove account.
3. Restart the phone, then add the account again and retry the download.

Removing the account also removes its synced emails, contacts and calendar from the phone until you sign in again; they stay safe in your Google account online.

Specific Messages You Might See

• "Your device isn't compatible with this version" - the app doesn't support your phone model or Android version. No setting fixes this; look for an alternative app.
• "This item isn't available in your country" - the developer limits where the app is offered.
• Parental controls - if Family Link manages the account, a parent may need to approve the download.

Still Not Downloading?

If nothing downloads over any connection after all of these steps, back up your phone and consider a factory reset as a last resort - it erases everything on the phone. Before that, the GetQuickTechSupport team can go through the settings with you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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See Also:play store android