Google Play Services is an essential component of Android that enables key features like push notifications, maps, authentication services, and more. It gets updated frequently by Google to add new capabilities and patch security vulnerabilities. Normally, Google Play Services updates automatically in the background on Android devices. However, sometimes the updates can get stuck, requiring a manual update to get the latest version.
Why update Google Play Services manually?
Here are some common reasons you may need to manually update Google Play Services on your Android device:
- Updates are not happening automatically in the background
- You want to get new features or security patches faster
- An app is prompting you to update Google Play Services
- You are getting errors or crashes related to an outdated version
Manually updating ensures you have the most recent Google Play Services APK installed and can prevent issues caused by being several versions behind.
How to check your current Google Play Services version
To find out your current Google Play Services version, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap on Google.
- Select Google Play services.
- Look at the version number listed at the top.
This will show the specific version you currently have installed. Make a note of this so you can check if a newer version is available.
Finding the latest Google Play Services APK
Google does not provide direct downloads of Google Play Services updates. However, you can obtain the APK from trusted third-party repositories like APKMirror. Here is how:
- Go to APKMirror.com in your phone’s web browser.
- Search for “Google Play services”.
- Select the top result for the core Google Play Services component.
- Scroll down and download the APK file with the highest version number.
This will download the most up-to-date Google Play Services APK available on APKMirror.
Alternative sources for the APK file
Besides APKMirror, here are a couple other reputable sources you can try getting the latest Google Play Services APK from:
- APKPure: Another well-known third-party app store. Search for “Google Play Services” and download the APK.
- Android Police: This Android news blog hosts APK copies for manual updates. Find the download in their posts about new Google Play Services releases.
Make sure any APK you download matches the expected key signatures and hashes for authenticity.
Enabling “Install from unknown sources”
To install APK files directly on your Android device, you need to enable the “Install from unknown sources” permission:
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Tap on Safety & Security (or Security & Privacy on some phones).
- Look for the “Install apps from external sources” or “Install unknown apps” option.
- Turn it on to allow installing third-party APKs.
You may need to toggle this on for the specific file manager app you use to install the APK as well.
Installing the Google Play Services APK
Once you have downloaded the latest Google Play Services APK, use these steps to install it:
- Open your device’s File Manager app.
- Navigate to the folder where you saved the APK file.
- Tap on the APK file. This will launch the installation process.
- Accept any permission pop-up prompts during installation.
- The latest Google Play Services version will now be installed!
After completing the installation, you can open Settings and check Google Play Services again to confirm the new updated version.
Troubleshooting the update
If you encounter any issues updating Google Play Services manually, here are some things to try:
- Check you downloaded the official APK file from a trusted source.
- Try uninstalling updates for Google Play Services before installing the APK.
- Make sure you have sufficient storage space for the update.
- Check that you enabled install from unknown sources correctly.
- Restart your device after updating.
- Clear cache/data for Google Play Services and Google Play Store app.
- Factory reset your device if still not working.
Keeping Google Play Services updated
To avoid having to manually update Google Play Services again in the future, you can try these tips:
- Enable auto-updates for apps in the Play Store.
- Periodically check for Google Play Services updates in the Play Store Updates tab.
- Install trusted security apps that can update Play Services.
- Use Android devices running newer versions of Android.
- Don’t delay installation prompts from Google Play Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is manually updating Google Play Services safe?
Yes, manually updating Google Play Services is safe if you install the APK from trusted sources like APKMirror or APKPure and enable install from unknown sources on your device. The update runs just like a normal Play Store update.
Will I lose data if I manually update?
No, a manual update to Google Play Services will not cause you to lose any apps, files, or other user data on your device. It only updates the Play Services application code.
Is this legal or will Google ban me?
Manually updating Google Play Services does not violate Google’s terms and conditions. It is perfectly legal to download the APK and update it yourself.
What happens if I don’t update Google Play Services?
If you are many versions behind on Google Play Services, some apps may crash or function incorrectly. Not updating also leaves security vulnerabilities open to potential exploits.
Can I rollback to a previous version?
There is no official way to downgrade Google Play Services after updating. You would have to factory reset your device and choose not to update.
Conclusion
Updating Google Play Services manually through APK download allows you to quickly get the latest features and security fixes. While automatic updates are preferred, this bypasses the Play Store rollout pace. Just be sure to only download official APKs from reputable sources. With the proper steps, you can manually update to the newest Google Play Services on your Android device.
