The Google Play Store is a pre-installed application on most Android phones. It allows you to download applications, books, movies, etc. To your phone. Sometimes, when you encounter problems on your Android phone, uninstalling and reinstalling the Google Play Store is one of the recommended solutions. But how did you do it? Let’s see how to uninstall the Google Play Store and reinstall it.
How to Uninstall Google Play Store
Without sweet words, let me clarify: you can’t completely uninstall the Google Play Store from your phone. However, you can disable it or delete the most recent update.
1. How to Disable Play Store
1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
2. Go to Apps (App & notifications), and under All apps, tap on “Google Play Store.”
3. Tap on the Disable button. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Confirm when asked.
What Happens When You Disable Play Store?
When you disable the Play Store, its icon will disappear from the home screen and application drawer. You will not be able to update or install apps. However, nothing will happen to existing applications. They will not be deleted from your phone.
Related: 9 of the Best Smart Flip Phones You Can Buy in 2021
2. How to Uninstall Google Play Store Updates
1. On your phone, open Settings.
2. Tap on Apps and tap on “Google Play Store” under All apps.
3. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top and select “Uninstall updates” from the menu.
What Happens When You Uninstall Play Store Updates?
When you uninstall the update from Play Store, you will revert to the original or factory version. You can keep it as is or update it manually, as shown in the next section. The Play Store icon will continue to appear on your phone and you will be able to use it normally. You can also install and update applications. Your existing applications will also be safe.
How to Reinstall Google Play Store
You can reinstall or update the Google Play Store in one of four ways.
1. Update Automatically
By default, as long as you are connected to a valid internet connection, the Google Play Store will automatically update in the background. After disabling or uninstalling the update, leave the Google Play Store as it is for a few minutes and it will update itself.
2. Enable Google Play Store
If you disabled the Google Play Store as shown above, you need to enable it before you can use it again. To do this, please open “Settings> Applications> Google Play Store”. Touch to activate.
3. Update Manually
If the Google Play Store is not automatically updated, or you want to check for new updates, Google will provide a hidden method to do so.
1. Open the Google Play Store application.
2. Click the avatar icon at the top, and then select Settings from the menu.
3. Click About and then Play Store version. If an update is available, the Play Store will update it automatically. Otherwise, you will get a pop-up message stating that the Play Store has been updated.
4. Install or Update Play Store Manually Using APK
Finally, you can use its APK to manually install the updated version from the Play Store on your Android phone. This is how you do it.
1. Open APKMirror.com, which is one of the trusted sites to download APK.
2. Search the Google Play store on the website.
3. Click Google Play Store. Scroll down to find multiple versions. Click the version compatible with your phone and then click the download icon.
4. After downloading, click on the file to install it. You may be asked to grant permission to install apps from unknown sources. Grant the necessary permissions.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the Google Play Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to disable the Google Play Store?
It’s safe to temporarily disable the Play Store, especially if you can’t download or update apps from the Play Store, or if you experience similar issues related to apps on your phone. However, you should keep it enabled because it helps to install and update applications. Thanks to the Play Protect feature, it also helps to verify malicious applications.
2. How do I fix it if the Google Play Store is not found?
You may have disabled it accidentally. Enable it as shown above or install it manually from the APK.
3. Can I force stop the Google Play Store?
Yes, you can forcibly stop the Play Store by going to “Settings> Applications> Google Play Store”. Press the “Forced Stop” button.
Google Play Store is a must-have application for installing apps, but you can also install apps without it.
Related: How to Fix Spotify Keeps Pausing?
