As we all know, Google has its own frequents updates things going on for many reasons ranging from security to bug fixes, etc
By the way, that’s a good thing.
If any of your apps need an update, you go to Play Store and update the app.
But what happens if the Google Play Store itself needed an update?
By the way, Updates take some time and its arrival isn’t the same for all the Android devices.
Maybe you need a fresh install or your current one is causing you trouble or maybe you wanted to revert to the previous version.
For whatever reason it is.
Here’s how to download and how to install the Google Play Store.
Step 1: Check your Play Store current version Numbers
To make sure you’re downloading the Google Play Store’s latest version, you need to know the version number.
Google didn’t publicly release the versions in between, so they make it complicated by jumping between the numbers.
As I said, the numbering system or style looks a little bit hard and confusing at first. but you will get used to it.
How to check your current Google Play version
There are Two ways to check your Google play version. It’s pretty simple.
1st Method
- Go to your device Settings, then Apps
- Find the Google Play in the App and then tap it
- When you Scroll all the way down on the bottom, you should see your play store version
Second Method
- First Open your Google Play Store app.
- Next, click on the three lines at the sidebar
- Open the settings.
- Scroll down to find your current play store version at the bottom
Note:
Make sure that your phone supports the latest play store version. This shouldn’t really be a deal breaker unless you are using an Android Cupcake or Android Jelly Bean.
At the time of this writing, the latest version is Play Store 14.1.46
Step 2: Where to Download Google Play Store APK
If you don’t already know, like any of the Android app, the Google Play Store also does come in APK format too.
Precautions:
Make sure that you download the Google Play Store APK or all the other APKs for that matter only from trusted sites and reputable sources.
Sometimes, the sites you download the APK may have tampered or infected the APK and it can affect your devices which is bad news.
So, keep an eye out for that.
Sites to Download Google Play Store APK:
When you download from any of the sites, You’ll be prompted with a message warning that “this type of file can harm your device.”
Since the sites mentioned above are mostly a safe source, so Ignore it and tap OK.
Step 3: Enable the Unknown Sources in the Settings
You may or may not know but Android has an Unknown Sources setting option which allows you to install any applications but has to be allowed manually.
It has been around Android for ages and it is a security measure and If you want to install any app apart from the sources of Google Play Store like an APK. You need to enable the setting.
Here is what you need to do:
- Enter your device Settings and find the Apps.
- Go to the “Security” section.
- Scroll down and find the Unknown Sources option and check the box.
- Next, a pop up of warning will show up and I definitely recommend you to read it.
- After done reading, Click on hit “OK”
If you want, you can disable this option after you’re done.
Note: Sometimes, the Unknown Sources option are located in the Application (Apps) or Privacy settings.
Step 4: Install Google Play
Now that you have downloaded the APK and everything is set to go.
It’s time to install the Play Store.
Go to your Download app or your File Manager.
Navigate to where you have downloaded your Google Play Store APK. Most likely it will be on your Download folder.
Next, Click on the APK.
For some device, they may be offered with an option on which app to use. If that is your case, choose the “Package Installer”.
By the way, make sure to check the permission and then click the install button.
That’s it, the latest Google Play Store is installed on your device.
Step 5: Disable the Unknown Sources Option
Many don’t care about this last step. Now that the latest version is installed, they just dwindled off.
But by leaving the Unknown Sources box checked, you are creating a major security loophole that can cause many problems down the road.
The simple, best way to avoid further problems and keep yourself safe is just resting on a click.
So, go back and turn that thing off!
- Head back to your device settings.
- Next, Go back to the “Security” section.
- Maybe to the Application settings or Privacy settings (depends on device)
- Lastly, Uncheck the Unknown sources option box.
Now, that will prevent from your device to install any apps apart from the Play Store.
If you need to install any APK later on, you can always follow these steps and redo the same.
Conclusion:
After reading through this guide, I hope you have an understanding of how to download and install the Google Play Store.
As far as I am concerned, this method will work for almost all types of Android Devices.
Like I said before, choose a reputable site to download from in order to get an untampered APK. Not that I am saying all APKs apart from the sites I listed above are bad, But it’s still better to take precautions.
