The Google Play Store is where you go to find new apps, games and videos to put on your Android device. But what if you don’t have a Google account, or the store won’t let you download anything? You can’t install any apps on your Android device without the Google Play Store app. Even if you manage to download it from another source, your device probably won’t recognize it because of the security check that Google puts in place for every application uploaded to their servers. However, there are ways around this problem. If you want to use your Android device and not just keep it as a paperweight or shelf decoration, then read on to learn how to install the Google Play Store on any Android device.
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Alternatives of the Google Play Store
Even if you are somehow able to download & install the Google Play Store on your Android device, bypassing Google’s SafetyNet checks is another problem you will face. This means you won’t be able to use any UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and other payment apps like Google Pay. Moreover, there are some smartphone brands (e.g. Huawei) that didn’t even come with Google services including the Play store. So, in this case, you should try alternatives of the Play Store first.
There are numerous online stores that offer apps, games and videos that you can download to your Android device. Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.
The most popular alternative to the Google Play Store is the Amazon App store. The Amazon App Store is a great option if you’re looking for a wide selection of apps. It’s also easy to use and navigate. However, one downside is that Amazon doesn’t offer some of the same features as Google Play, such as in-app purchases.
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The AppBrain App Market is another good choice if you’re looking for an alternative that’s similar to Google Play in terms of features and functionality. However, one downside is that it can be a bit difficult to find the app you’re looking for. You can browse the app’s library by installing the AppBrain App market on your phone from its official website.
Bypassing the Check and Installing from APK Files
The “check” you have to bypass so you can install the Google Play Store or any app from a third-party source is actually a security feature called “install apps from unknown sources”. This option must be enabled in order to install any app from third-party source.
You’ll find this option in the device’s settings menu. Navigate to Settings > Apps and Notifications. From here, tap on the Special Access option. Scroll to the bottom and choose the Install other apps option. Now choose an app by which you want to install the apps (Eg: Chrome). Next, tap on the toggle button Trust app from this source to enable. You’ll be able to install anything from any source, including programs that could harm your device.
You can uncheck this box to disable the device’s security feature whenever you want. We recommend disabling this feature right after you’re done.
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How to Download and install the Google Play Store
The first step is to check your current Android version from Settings > About Phone. Once you find your current Android phone’s version, the next step is to download the Google Play Store from a trusted source. And, APKMirror is one of the best and most trusted sources to download the apps like Google Play Store.
Just go ahead APKMirror’s official website and search Google Play Store from the search box on the top right corner. Or you can download the APK file for your device directly from this link. There are different versions of the Play store, so choose the perfect one for your device. Also, make sure to read the minimum Android version before downloading the APK file.
For non-Google Android devices like Huawei, you’ll need to install additional three files i.e. Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, and Google Play Services.
Once downloaded, click on the APK file and install it on your Android phone. Just launch the store on your phone like any other app and sign in using your Google account.
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How to Update Google Play Store
To get the latest security benefits along with latest features, you should always keep your Google Play Store updated. To do so, just open the Play store on your phone. Tap on the Profile icon. Tap on Settings. Tap on About. Lastly, click on Update Play Store under Play Store Version to install a newer version of Google Play Store. An update prompt will appear or it will say that Google Play Store is up to date.
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Conclusion
The Google Play Store is where you can find a ton of new apps, games and videos for your Android device. If you don’t have access to the Google Play Store, then your phone is basically a paperweight. If you’ve found yourself in this situation and want to install the Google Play Store, there are a few ways you can do that. You can try finding the APK file online, setting your device to “Verify apps from any source” or simply use another app store.
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