There may be a need to install the Google Play Store when you do not have it pre-installed or if you are facing any kind of issues with the current version and you want to update the Google Play Store. Also, if you are not happy with Google’s speed of rolling out the Play Store updates in your country, you can also choose to manually update it.
So, how do you install the Play Store? Is there a special method? Is it as simple as installing any other app? Fret not, installing the Play Store is as simple as installing any other app from outside the Play Store. Now, let us get going to know how to install the Play Store.
Method #1: Update the Play Store
Step #1: Open the Play Store app.
Step #2: Head to the Play Store’s settings.
Step #3: Scroll down and find the build version. Now, simply tap on it to start downloading the latest version of the Play Store.(if any)
Method #2: Download the APK file from your Android device & Install the Play Store
At first, you need to grab the APK file from the web to get started installing the Play Store. However, only a few of the sites on the web offer to download the legitimate / unmodified Play Store APK File. Moreover, APKMirror.Com seems to be the only one that you can trust right now.
Note: APKMirror.com is the most trusted source for downloading original / unmodified APK files. The website is owned and managed by AndroidPolice.com. They verify the MD5 hash value (The cryptographic signature) which guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way.
Steps to download the APK File from APKMirror.com
Note: The images used for this method shows the desktop version of the website. It would be the same when using your Android device.
Step #1: Head on to APKMirror.com
Step #2: Type in – “Play Store” in the search field of the site as shown in the image below.
Step #3: Now, tap on the search icon to start searching for it. Finally, you will get to see multiple versions of the APK file for the Google Play Store as shown in the image below.
So, now you will have to decide which one to choose for your device. If you are confused, do have a look at APKMirror’s FAQ page to know which variant should you download for your device.
Note: There is nothing to worry about if you accidentally install an incompatible APK variant for your device. The installation would simply fail if you do so.
Step #4: Click on the version you want to download and finally tap on the Download button to start downloading the APK file as shown in the image below.
Now that you have successfully downloaded the APK file to your Android device. You will have have to first allow the installation from unknown sources in order to install an APK file on your device.
Steps to Allow Installation from Unknown Sources
Step #1: Open the settings app.
Step #2: Scroll down and click on “Security” settings.
Step #3: Scroll down to find “Unknown Sources” option and enable it. Ignore the warning message because you know what you are doing already (It is safe!).
Note: Do not forget to disable the installation of Unknown sources after installing the Play Store.
Steps to Install the Play Store
Step #1: Open the downloads manager of your device.
Step #2: Click on the Play Store’s APK file.
Step #3: Tap on “Install” to start installing the APK File.
Method #3: Transfer the APK File from the PC to your Android device & Install the Play Store
On the off chance, if you do not have an active Internet connection on your device, you can utilize a desktop in order to get the APK file.
Follow the same set of steps to download the APK file from APKMirror.com as mentioned above.
After you are done downloading the APK file to your computer, simply transfer the file to your Android device connecting it via a USB cable (as a storage media). You may refer to the Google’s support page if you have any problems connecting your Android device to the computer.
Simply, navigate your way to the location where the APK file resides and click on it to Install the Play Store. Of course, you will have to allow installation from unknown sources here as well before installing the Play Store.
Wrapping Up
So, as you are now aware of various methods to install the Play Store. Was that not very easy?
Having trouble installing the Play Store with the methods mentioned above? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Filed in . Read more about Android, Android Apps and Google Play Store.