How to download the Google Play Store app on Android smartphones

Most Android phones come pre-installed with the Google Play Store, which gives access to around 3.48 million Android apps. However, there are a few devices that, even though they support Android apps, do not have the Play Store onboard. This post will let you know how to install the Play Store on an Android device. 

Which devices do not have the Play Store preinstalled?

Here are some of the devices that do not come pre-installed:

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1. Huawei devices

Following the 2019 US trade ban, global editions of Huawei phones and tablets do not include Google apps or services. Hence, they do not have the Play Store preloaded.

2. China-specific devices

Chinese smartphone brands often launch devices in both China and global markets. However, some phones, for different reasons, may remain exclusive to the Chinese market. For instance, the Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Ultra are premium camera-focused phones, but they are unavailable outside of China.

3. Custom ROMs

Many phones running on custom ROMs, such as Lineage OS, Graphene OS, Calyx OS, and so on, are available without the Google Play Store.

Downloading and installing the Play Store for Android mobiles

Here are the steps on how to download and install the Play Store on Android mobiles:

1. Enable Unknown Sources

i. Open your device’s Settings app.

ii. Search for “Unknown Sources” or find the option in Privacy or Apps & Notifications.

iii. Enable “Allow from this source” for your web browser (e.g., Chrome).

2. Find you device’s details

i. Download the “Device Info HW” app from a third-party app store, such as APKMirror.

ii. Open the app and note your Android version (General tab) and CPU architecture (SoC tab).

3. Download the necessary files

You can use a third-party app store like APKMirror to get the following apps:

i. Google Account Manager

Download the version that matches closely with your Android version.

ii. Google Services Framework

Download the version that matches your Android version.

iii. Google Play Services

Find the latest version matching your Android version and CPU architecture.

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iv. Google Play Store

Download the latest version.

v. In addition, download and install any file manager, such as the Files by Google app.

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4. Install the files

i. Open a file manager.

ii. Locate and install the APKs in this order:
Google Account Manager
Google Services Framework
Google Play Services
Google Play Store

iii. Do not open apps after installing them.

iv. Note: If you don’t install the above apps in the correct order, the Play Store won’t function. If you have a microSD card on the device, you need to remove it before installing the apps. If one of the apps fails to install, it means you have downloaded the wrong APK version.

5. Reboot and test

i. Restart your device and open the Play Store.

ii. If you were able to successfully sign in to Google, it worked!

iii. You can search for your favourite apps and install them.

If you encounter an error or if the Play Store crashes, you may want to retry installing all four APKs again. If it still doesn’t work for you, you either have the option to go through the complex process of rooting the device and installing a custom ROM or simply give up by uninstalling the four APK files (Account Manager, Services Framework, Play Services, and Play Store) by navigating to the device’s Settings > All Applications, and uninstalling the four files.

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Installing the Google Play Store on unsupported devices can be complex and might not always work. We provide these instructions as a guide, but we cannot guarantee success. Modifying your device’s software can void warranties and potentially cause stability issues. Proceed with caution and understand the risks involved.