Having the latest version of Google Play Services on your Android device is important to ensure you have access to the newest features and security updates. However, Google Play Services does not always update automatically and you may need to manually trigger an update. Here are some tips on how to force Google Play Services to update on your Android device.
Check Your Current Version of Google Play Services
As a first step, you’ll want to check what version of Google Play Services you currently have installed. To do this:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap on “Apps & notifications”.
- Tap on “See all apps”.
- Scroll down and tap on “Google Play Services”.
- Look at the version number listed under “Version”.
This will show you the current version of Google Play Services running on your device. You can then compare this to the latest version available on the Google Play Store to see if you need to update.
Update Google Play Services Through the Play Store
If you see that your current version is out of date, the easiest way to update is via the Google Play Store app. To do this:
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner.
- Tap “My apps & games”.
- Scroll down to the section titled “Updates”.
- If there is an update available for Google Play Services, it will be listed here.
- Tap “Update” to download and install the latest version.
The Play Store will then automatically download and install the update in the background. Once completed, you should see the new version number under Settings > Apps & notifications > Google Play services.
Update from the Google Play Services APK
If the Play Store does not show an available update, you can manually install the latest Google Play Services APK. To do this:
- Download the latest Google Play Services APK from APKMirror.com or another reputable source.
- Make sure “Install from Unknown Sources” is enabled on your device under Settings > Security.
- Open the downloaded APK file and tap Install.
- Accept any permission prompts that appear.
- The latest version of Google Play Services will now be installed.
Updating via the direct APK allows you to skip waiting for the update to roll out from the Play Store. However, be cautious when downloading APKs from outside the Play Store.
Clear Data and Cache for Google Play Services
If updating via the Play Store or APK does not work, try clearing data and cache for the Google Play Services app. This forces it to re-check for updates and re-initialize settings and data.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
- Scroll down and tap on “Google Play Services”.
- Tap “Storage”
- Tap “Clear Cache” then “OK” to confirm.
- Tap “Clear data” then “OK” to confirm.
- Restart your device.
Google Play Services should now pull down the latest update within a few minutes after restarting your device.
Uninstall Updates
If clearing data/cache did not work, you can try uninstalling updates as a last resort. This will rollback Google Play Services to the factory version on your device.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
- Scroll down and tap Google Play services.
- Tap the three dot menu in the top right.
- Select “Uninstall updates”.
- Confirm uninstall when prompted.
After uninstalling updates, open the Play Store app and check for updates. It should now show an available update for Google Play Services which you can install.
Perform a Factory Reset
If all else fails and your Google Play Services version remains stuck, a factory reset of your device may be necessary. This will wipe the device and install a clean version of Android and all apps. Before resetting, make sure to backup any important data.
To perform a factory reset:
- Open Settings and tap System.
- Select “Advanced” then “Reset options”.
- Tap “Erase all data (factory reset)”.
- Confirm the reset when prompted.
Once completed, set up your device again and check for a Google Play Services update after setup is complete. A fresh install should allow it to update properly in most cases.
Manually Check for Updates
You can also try manually triggering Google Play Services to check for updates using a special dialer code. To do this:
- Open the Phone app on your Android device.
- Key in *#*#2432546#*#* on the dialpad. Tap the call button.
- This will initiate a Google Play Services update check.
- Follow any prompts to download an update if available.
The dialer code method essentially forces Google Play Services to look for any pending updates on your device or from the Google server.
Disable Battery Optimization
Battery optimization settings can sometimes interfere with apps running background updates. Disabling battery optimization for Google Play Services may help it update properly.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access.
- Tap Battery optimization.
- Locate Google Play services in the list of apps.
- Tap it and select “Don’t optimize” from the next menu.
With battery optimization disabled, Google Play Services should be able to run background updates without interference from battery saving restrictions.
Update Google Play Store
Since updates to Google Play Services are delivered through the Play Store app, ensuring you have the latest version of the Play Store installed can help as well.
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner.
- Tap “My apps & games”.
- Check if any updates are available for the “Google Play Store” app.
- Tap “Update” to install the latest version.
Having an up-to-date Google Play Store app means your device can receive the newest versions of Google Play Services.
Contact Google Support
If you still cannot get Google Play Services to update after trying all troubleshooting steps, it’s recommended to contact Google support. They may be able to identify underlying OS issues preventing updates.
To contact Google support:
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner.
- Scroll down and select “Help & feedback”.
- Tap “Contact us” and complete the form with details about your issue.
Provide as much detail as possible about your device, Android version, and Google Play Services issue. The Google support team can provide tailored troubleshooting suggestions to help get it updating properly again.
Conclusion
Having the most up-to-date version of Google Play Services is important for performance, stability and security on your Android device. If auto-updates are not working, try the troubleshooting steps outlined above to manually trigger an update.
In most cases, updating via the Play Store, installing the APK, or clearing data/cache will be sufficient to get Google Play Services updating again. For persistent issues, a factory reset may be required. Contact Google support if problems persist after trying all other steps.
By taking proactive measures to keep Google Play Services current, you can avoid issues caused by outdated versions and enjoy the latest features on your Android device.
