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Try the steps below if: If you can’t open the Play Store app at all, follow the steps to
troubleshoot when you can’t open the Play Store app on your phone. After you check your internet connection, try your download again. To get more help with connection problems, go to Fix internet connection problems on Android devices. Check for Android system updatesTroubleshoot problems with only one appTry these steps if you have problems when you try to download a specific app. Check if the app is available for your device
Uninstall & reinstall the appMore troubleshooting stepsIf you tried all the steps above but still can’t download apps, try the steps below. After each step, try to download an app again to check if it fixed the problem. Close & reopen the Play Store
Uninstall & reinstall Play Store updatesRestart your device
Clear cache & data from Google Play ServicesRemove & re-add your Google AccountClear the cache & data of the Play StoreClear cache & data from Download ManagerGet more helpRelated resources
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Downloading apps from the Google Play Store should be a straightforward process. However, users may sometimes encounter a problem where the note on the screen says that the download is pending, but the download never progresses from the pending stage. If you are stuck with the ‘pending download’ issue on your Android device, manual intervention is required. Since the culprit behind this glitch varies, you may need to test various methods before finding the solution. This article will guide you through the options. 1. Clear the Google Play CacheWhen the cache is overloaded, it can cause an app to malfunction, which sometimes occurs with the Play Store. This problem is prevalent when you have many apps that the Play Store needs to check for updates or perform other related actions. To clear the Play Store’s cache, you should:
Clearing the cache usually fixes minor glitches, such as the ‘download pending’ error. If it doesn’t, try out some of the other methods from the article. 2. Adjust the QueueThe Play Store automatically downloads all the newest versions of your apps on your device by default, unless you changed it at some point. Regardless of how you update apps, it is possible that your app is at the end of the queue, waiting for its turn. Therefore, you can push it to the top of the update/download list. Here’s how to do it.
Now, you can download the app you want before returning to update the rest of your apps. 3. Remove Your Account and Add it AgainSome users manage to fix the Google Play stuck downloads issue by removing their Google account from the Play Store and then adding it back. To do this, you need to:
Now, you can enter the Play Store again, type in your account information, and try to download the app once more. 4. Check Storage CapacityIf your device is running low on storage space, it will restrict you from downloading or updating apps. This scenario usually displays an error along with “insufficient space” notifications rather than getting stuck as a pending download. However, it is still pending, technically speaking. Therefore, it is essential to include the topic within this article. The apps remain as pending downloads while they wait for enough space. To check how much space you have left, do the following:
Also, a malfunctioning SD card can sometimes cause problems while downloading new apps. To check if that’s the case, take out the card and try to download the app. If it downloads as usual to your internal storage, consider changing the card. or attempt to reformat it. 5. Disable Your Device’s VPNSome users install a virtual private network (VPN) to secure their online privacy, but they don’t know that it can affect their downloads too. If you have a VPN, you should disable it before trying to download the app again. Usually, a VPN shouldn’t prevent apps from downloading, but there are instances where it may affect the process. For example, this can happen if a new VPN update has glitches, or your VPN reports another region outside of your area. Regardless, some apps may not install if using a VPN. Try disabling the VPN. Note: Some VPNs have an ad/script blocking feature that can cause the pending download issue. If you trust the site or app, disable the feature (if applicable), then try again. Your VPN app may also allow for URL exceptions. 6. Confirm that Time and Date Match on Your Device and the Google ServerIf the time and date on your smartphone don’t match with the official time and date reported on Google servers, it may prevent you from downloading apps. Also, sometimes changing the time and date for a short time and then turning them back to the way they were may fix your issue. Try this out:
7. Check Your Wi-Fi or Data NetworksOne of the most obvious solutions is to check if your wireless or data connection is working. If you have enough bandwidth on your data plan, switch the Wi-Fi network off and turn on your Mobile Data. If the app started to download, the problem was in the Wi-Fi network.
Hopefully, some of the steps above helped you fix your pending update issue on the Play Store. Most of the time, this common error results from minor app glitches that go away. However, if the problem keeps happening, you may be experiencing some other system or hardware issue and may thus have to take your device to the local repair service. Google Play Stuck/Pending App Update FAQsCan I make app updates happen automatically over cellular data?One of the most common problems with smartphones is that there are still limitations with cellular bandwidth regardless of unlimited data plans. Sometimes, unlimited data is not truly unlimited. Your speed drops to 2G/3G speeds after reaching a certain amount of data. By default, your apps should automatically update when your phone is connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in to charge. Fortunately, you can change some settings that let the Google Play Store update apps over mobile broadband. Head into the Settings on your phone and locate the Google Play Store under Apps. Next, tap on “Mobile Data” to enable it. Depending on your phone’s manufacturer, the option may say Allow background data usage. How do I know if an app has an update available?If you’re unsure whether an app has an available update, the Google Play Store can tell you. The easiest way to find out is to open the Google Play Store and type the app’s name in the search bar. If it says “Open,” then the app is up-to-date. However, if the app says “Update,” a newer version of the software exists. If you want to check which installed apps are ready for an update, you can open the Google Play Store, tap on your “profile icon” in the upper right-hand corner, and select “Manage apps & devices.” Select “Manage” at the top, then choose “Updates Available.” This step shows you a complete list of all apps that need an update. What do I do if only one app won’t update?When only one app doesn’t update, your solution depends on whether it was the last app to require an update or one of several. If it was the last one on the list, it could be your storage limits (internal and external storage). All other apps succeeded, but your phone ran low on storage while trying to update the last one on the list. If the app is one of several requiring an update, it could be data corruption. Try clearing the cache for the app first. If that solution doesn’t work, uninstall the app and reinstall it. If the above options don’t fix the issue, you may need to contact the developer for help. On that app’s Play Store page, tap on “Developer contact,” then choose your email app to send the message. It’s always best to use the same email you use for the Play Store. That way, the developer can associate the two.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way. Send To SomeoneMissing DeviceHow do you fix pending downloads on Google Play?Check the internet connection
Check the internet speed if you are using Wi-Fi. Restart the router and device and try reconnecting. When using mobile data, ensure that the download via any network on Google Play Store is enabled on your device. Go to Google Play Store settings and check 'App download preferences.
Why does my Google Play Store keep saying pending?The apps remain as pending downloads while they wait for enough space. To check how much space you have left, do the following: Go to “Settings.” Scroll down and press the “Storage” button.
Why any app is not downloading from Play Store?Check your storage space
If your device is low on space, it can stop apps from downloading and installing. Your device may be low on space if: You get a notification about storage space. There's less than 1 GB available on your device.
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