The Google Play Store is the official app store for Android devices. It allows you to download apps, games, books, movies and more. Sometimes you may need to reinstall or uninstall and reinstall the Play Store app on your Android device. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do that.
When Should You Reinstall the Play Store?
There are a few instances when you may need to reinstall the Play Store app on your Android device:
- You accidentally uninstalled the Play Store app and now you want it back
- The Play Store app has become corrupted or isn’t working properly
- You want to unlink your current Google account from the Play Store
- You need to switch to a different Google account on the Play Store
- You performed a factory reset on your device and need to reinstall the Play Store
In all of these cases, reinstalling the Play Store app can help resolve the issues you’re experiencing. The steps involved are quite straightforward.
How to Reinstall the Play Store
Uninstall Updates
If the Play Store app is still installed but acting up, first try uninstalling any updates:
- Go to your Android device’s Settings app.
- Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
- In the list of apps, find Play Store.
- Tap on it and select Uninstall Updates.
This will revert the Play Store app to the original version that came with your device. If that doesn’t fix the issues, you can move on to fully uninstalling and reinstalling.
Uninstall the Play Store App
If you need to fully remove the Play Store app from your device, here are the steps:
- Open your Android’s Settings screen.
- Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
- Find Google Play Store in the list and tap on it.
- Tap Uninstall.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the Play Store app.
This will completely take the Play Store off your device.
Reinstall the Play Store App
Once you’ve uninstalled the Play Store, it’s time to reinstall it. Here are a few different ways to do that:
Reinstall from Play Store Backup
If you previously backed up the Play Store app to your device storage or SD card, you may have a copy to reinstall from:
- Go to your device’s File Manager app.
- Navigate to the folder where apps are stored, usually a “Backup” or “Apk” folder.
- Find and tap on the Google Play Store apk file.
- Tap Install when prompted.
Download from a Trusted Source
You can also download the Play Store installer file, called GooglePlayStore.apk, from a trusted source:
- On your computer, search for “Google Play Store apk mirror”.
- Download the apk file from a trusted site like APKMirror.
- Connect your Android device to the computer.
- Transfer the apk file over to your device.
- On your device, open the File Manager app and find the downloaded apk file.
- Tap on the file. When prompted, tap Install.
Use a Third-Party App Store
Another option is to temporarily install a third-party app store like Amazon Appstore and use it to download and install the official Play Store app:
- Download and install the Amazon Appstore on your device.
- Open the Amazon Appstore app and search for “Google Play Store”.
- Select and download the official Play Store app.
- Tap Install when prompted.
Once you’ve successfully installed the Play Store using one of these methods, it should be fully functional again.
Confirm the Play Store App Works
After reinstalling the Play Store app, open it and confirm everything is working properly again.
- Browse and search for apps – look for issues loading data.
- Try downloading a free app – make sure you can install apps.
- Check for updates to apps already installed on your device.
- Make sure you can access your full library of purchased apps, movies, books, etc.
Also open your device’s Settings app and make sure the Play Store app has proper permissions enabled to function correctly.
If you notice any issues after reinstalling, you may need to reboot your device or clear data for the Play Store app to finish setting up properly.
Relink Your Google Account
The last step is to make sure your Google account is properly relinked to the Play Store app for access to your full library.
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap the menu icon in the top left corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Under “User Controls,” tap Sign In.
- Enter your Google account email and password.
Your account should now be fully connected to the Play Store again, giving you access to your purchased apps, movies, books, saved payment methods, and more.
Troubleshooting Reinstalling the Play Store
If you encounter any issues getting the Play Store to reinstall properly, here are some troubleshooting tips:
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Play Store won’t install from apk file | Clear cache and data for the package installer app and try again. Also check that third-party apps are allowed in your device’s security settings. |
| Apps missing from Play Store | Check that your Google account is properly logged in to the Play Store. |
| “Unable to authenticate” error | Make sure the date/time on your device is set correctly. |
| Play Store crashes on open | Clear data for the Play Store app and add your Google account again. |
In some cases, you may need to factory reset your device if major system files or partitions have become corrupted. Always backup your data before a factory reset.
Conclusion
Reinstalling the Play Store app is straightforward – just uninstall the current version, download a new apk file, install it, and relink your Google account. This can resolve many issues with the Play Store not functioning properly. Make sure to confirm everything is working again after reinstalling. Check for app updates, install an app, and access your full library purchases.
