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Why Can't I Install Apps On My Android Phone? 

By Dayna MarascoNovember 2, 2022

In the past, incompatibility between apps and other system constraints has doomed several mobile OSes. As a result, a severe lack of functionality on a mobile device without using apps.

The same goes for bugs and other problems with AndroidOS. Even though the operating system is compatible with many programs, problems may arise that, if left unfixed, would render your smartphone worthless. To that end, what can you do if your Android smartphone refuses to install new applications?

This post answers the question, 'Why Can't I Install Apps On My Android Phone?' so that you can resume installing apps on your Android device immediately.

Basic Solutions

  • Most problems encountered while using the Google Play Store are minor. But if you can't get apps to download now, there's an issue. So let's review a checklist of things to double-check before we get to the more obvious answers.
  • Is the battery still alive in your gadget? To download new apps, certain devices require a minimum charge of 15 or 30 percent.
  • Is your internet connection reliable? – Perhaps you're making do with cell phone data, or your WiFi connection is spotty at best. If you have access to another WiFi network, try switching to it.
  • Did you try restarting the device? - It's common knowledge that restarting your phone can solve various difficulties related to the Google Play Store.
  • Is something wrong with the Google Play Store's infrastructure? - Visit the downdetector.com page for more information. Unfortunately, Google may be experiencing a major problem, and the solution is to wait for the engineers to fix it.

We've covered the most fundamental issues and how to repair them quickly; now try installing an app from the Play Store. 

Here are some things to test if your Android device still has trouble downloading or installing apps.

Use Notification Panel

Safe mode can be disabled in the settings menu of some devices. Check to see if this is a feature of your gadget.

  • Bring down the notification panel
  • Select "Safe mode" from the menu and tap it to disable it.

You can access and disable Safe mode anytime by swiping down on your phone if the "Safe mode" button is located in the notifications panel. 

After you turn off safe mode, your device will restart by itself.

Nearly all Samsung phones have this capability (including Samsung Galaxy S7, S8, & S9). Therefore, if you have one, check the notification settings.

Review Storage

When troubleshooting a gadget, it's always best to get back to the fundamentals. It's important to have enough storage space for your download before you begin. 

Even the largest apps are usually only a few gigabytes in size. If so, how much room do you have on your gadget?

Is there a need for a thorough spring cleaning before introducing new materials can be added?

Follow these steps to make sure there is enough space on your devices:

Due to variations in Android UI between manufacturers and builds, we've tried to keep this guide as generic as possible while still being helpful.

  • Start by going to your device's Settings and then using the search icon to look for Storage.
  • Select Storage from the drop-down menu that opens.
  • Take a look at the listed storage capacity.
  • If your device's Storage is nearing capacity, you can clear space by selecting Apps, clicking the apps you want to delete, and then tapping Uninstall.
  • In order to retry the app download, please visit the Google Play Store. However, there are further options below for those who aren't limited by storage space.

Play Store Cache

If you've tried all of these and still can't get apps to download or install on your Android device, you might want to try emptying the Store cache. Google Play Store stores all the data it uses and requires temporarily in the cache. It's important to check because it can become corrupted.

  • The Apps & Notifications section can be accessed by going to the Settings menu.
  • Pick the Google Play Store option.
  • Clear the cache and select the storage
  • When present, the same holds for Google Play services and the Google Services Framework.

Check Google Play Store Permissions

It's common knowledge that new issues can arise after installing software upgrades. If your Play Store problems started after downloading and installing an update, try reverting to the previous version. Sometimes, rolling back to an earlier software build is the only solution.

Here's how to delete a Google Play Store update:

  • To manage what apps and notifications you receive, go to your device's settings.
  • Scroll down and hit Google Play Store.
  • Click the menu button (it looks like three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.
  • Select the update you plan to remove and tap Uninstall.
  • Finally, try downloading the app again after restarting the Play Store.

These are some ways of getting your smartphone back to install the applications again. 

Want to learn more about smartphone problems fixes? Read our blog to find out!

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