The Google Play Store gets frequent updates, which is great news. The not-so-great news is that it can take weeks, or for some people even longer, to get the latest iteration. The basic functionality never changes so being stuck on an older version isn’t all that bad. However, we understand the urge to get the latest and greatest version on your device.
Looking to update Google Play Store on your device? Here’s how.
Step 1: Check your current version
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- Download the vector logo of the Google Play brand designed by Google in Adobe® Illustrator® format. The current status of the logo is obsolete, which means the logo is not in use by the company anymore.
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>> Free download Google Play logo vector. About Google Play. Google Play is a digital-distribution multimedia-content service from Google which includes an online store for music, movies, books, and Android applications and games, as well as a cloud media player.
The first thing you’ll want to do is see which version you have to make sure you’re downloading Google Play Store’s latest version.
This can be done as follows:
- Open your Google Play Store app.
- Open the settings.
- Scroll to the bottom. You’ll find the “Play Store version” there.
This is important because you don’t want to install an older version of Google Play by accident. You also want to make sure you download a version that is compatible with your phone. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem unless you’re rocking some ancient version of Android like 2.3 Gingerbread — if that’s the case, it’s probably time to replace your phone!
Step 2: Download Google Play Store via an APK
It’s a pretty self-explanatory step. The Google Play Store comes in APK format like any other Android app. You can download APKs from websites, tech blogs, and trusted people on forums or other places. However, for now, APKMirror is probably your best bet for trusted Google Play Store APKs. Here is a short tutorial for downloading the Play Store app:
- Head to this link by clicking here.
- Find the version of the Play Store you want. If you want a newer version, reference your current version and see if a new one is available.
- Download the app by following the website’s instructions.
There are some other places that have recent Play Store APKs uploaded. However, APKMirror is just easiest method and it’s one that people generally trust. You shouldn’t have problems getting it from there.
This is how APK installations look on Android Oreo and higher.
Step 3: Deal with security permissions
The Unknown Sources setting has been a part of Android for ages. When disabled, it prevents users (and other apps) from installing applications from anywhere aside from the Google Play Store. Android Oreo changed this to a per-app permission rather than a system setting. Thus, there are two different parts to this one.
Before Android Oreo:
- Enter your device settings.
- Go to “Security”.
- Find the Unknown Sources option and check the box. A warning will pop up which you should definitely read. Once done, hit “OK” and this will enable you to install APKs from Unknown Sources.
If Unknown Sources isn’t in the Security settings, try finding it in the Privacy settings or Application (Apps) settings.
After Android Oreo:
- Begin installation with a file browser or through the web browser.
- Android will tell you that the app doesn’t have permission to install APKs. Click the available Settings button in that prompt.
- In the next menu, tick the box that lets that app install APKs.
- Hit the back button to return to your installation.
It’s a little more complicated, but the trade off is better security because the only app that can install third party APKs is the one you just gave permission to as opposed to the system-wide setting in previous versions of Android.
Step 4: Use a file manager and install the Google Play Store
Now that we’re all set to go it’s time to install this thing. Use your favorite file browser. For those who may not have one, you can see our recommendations here!
- Open your file browser and navigate to wherever you downloaded the Google Play Store APK. If you downloaded it on your device then it will be on your SD card in the Downloads folder.
- Once you find the APK, click on it. There may be a box that pops up depending on the apps you have installed on your device asking which app you want to use. If this is the case, click “Package Installer”.
- On the next screen, read over any permission changes (there usually aren’t any) and then click install. When it’s finished, the latest Google Play Store will be installed on your device.
Hey you did it! Wait, there is still one more step!
Step 5: Disable Unknown Sources
Leaving the Unknown Sources box checked is a major security hole that can cause problems down the road. The best way to keep yourself safe is to go back and turn that off! If you have Android Oreo or later, you are done and you can skip this step because these settings aren’t in your phone anymore.
- Go back into your device settings.
- Go back into the Security settings, Privacy settings, or Application settings (wherever you found it last time).
- Uncheck the box. This will prevent everything (except the Play Store) from installing apps. You can always re-check the box later if you need to do this again.
There’s probably a reason they changed it in Android Oreo and this is probably it.
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How to install third party apps without the Google Play Store!
Google Play Badge
You now know how to download Google Play Store to ensure you have the latest version. This method will work on almost any Android device, but there may be slight variances depending on your Android version and OEM. Do keep in mind that this will not work on Amazon Kindle Fire devices. That’s an entirely different process which may also require you to root your device.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Google Play is the one-stop-shop for Android apps, games, music, movie rentals and purchases, and e-books. On Android devices, the entire Google Play Store can be accessed through the Play Store app. Standard apps appear in the Android system tray, but Play Games, Play Music, Play Books, Play Movies & TV, and Play Newsstand are all libraries of downloadable content. Each has separate player apps that allow you to access your content. That means you can also view Play Music, Play Books, and Play Movies on laptops and non-Android smartphones.
The Google Play store (and all of the information covered in this article) should work no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.
The Google Store and Smartphones, Watches, Chromecasts, and Nest Thermostats
Google Play previously offered a devices tab in the Play Store, but device transactions are not the same as software transactions. Devices require transactions like shipping, customer support, and potential returns. So, as Google's device offerings expanded, Google split the devices into a separate location called the Google Store. Now, Google Play is strictly for downloadable apps and content.
Chrome and Chromebook Apps
In addition to devices, Chrome apps have their own store in the Chrome Web Store. This is where you find apps that run on both the Chrome web browser and the Chromebook. The company split Chrome-related apps away from the Play Store because those apps are strictly for Chrome-based products. However, you can still use the Google Play Store in Chrome environments.
Previously Known as Android Market
Prior to March 2012, the markets were more siloed. The Android Market handled app content, and Google Music and Google Books handled books and music. YouTube was the source for movies (and it is still a location for your movie purchases and rentals. You can access your library in both locations).
Android Market used to be as simple as that. An Android app store. When it was the only Android app store, this was pretty straightforward. Amazon, Sony, Samsung, and just about every single phone and Android tablet maker began offering separate app stores.
Why Google Play?
The word play implies that the store now only sells games. The logo points to a different reason. The new Google Play logo is a triangle in the familiar play button on videos. We're still not sure how a book plays, but we can see this as a combination of the content consumption definition of play and being playful in exploring what content is available.
Android Apps on Google Play
Download On Google Play Logo
Google Play sells Android apps, available through the Home and Games section of the Play Store. Play Books, Play Music, Movies & TV, and Play Newsstand also have dedicated sections that are set to show top recommendations based on your previous downloads. In addition, there are links to quick navigation, like Top Charts. Categories, and Editor's Choice. And of course, Google-powered search capabilities make it easy to find anything you might be looking for.
Find Your Tunes in Google Play Music
The old Google Music logo has been retired for those who remember Google's original song storage locker. However, the Play Music store still works the same way as the old standalone Google Music product. The player operates like you're used to it working, the difference is you find it under the Music section of Google Play. If you're a Google Play customer, watch your email. Every once in a while, Google offers promotional free songs and albums.
Grab a Great Read from Google Play Books
Google Books used to be confusingly divided between book search and eBook purchases. Now, Google Books is not the same as the Books section of the Google Play Store. Google Books is an online database that contains a massive library of scanned books from the collections of public and academic libraries.
Google Play Books is an e-book distribution service where users can download and read or listen to e-books and audiobooks. If you had Google books before the change, your library is still there. It's a tab (Library) in the Play Books app now, and the app serves as your e-reader.
Binge Watching with Google Play Movies & TV
Your movie rentals are available both through the Google Play Movies & TV apps and through YouTube Purchases. This sometimes gives you some flexibility, as a lot of devices support YouTube. If you're playing a movie on a mobile device - say you're getting ready to fly somewhere and want to download a movie for watching on the plane, use Google Play Movies & TV. If you're watching from a computer or a device that supports YouTube but not Android, use YouTube.
Google Free Logo
You also have access to a wide range of television episodes from shows that appear on network and premium channels. Those work in the same way movies do, so the guidelines above apply.