Google Play Store updates itself automatically by default
The Google Play Store — the app marketplace on your Android phone — usually updates without you doing anything. Google pushes updates to your device in the background, often overnight or when your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. You may not notice it happening at all.
If you want to check whether an update is waiting, or force one to happen right now, you can do it manually in a few steps. The process is the same whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or any other Android phone.
Key Takeaways
- Google Play Store updates automatically by default, so most users never need to do anything manually.
- To check for updates manually, open the Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, and select "Manage apps and device."
- If an update is waiting, you will see it listed under the "Updates available" tab with an "Update" button next to it.
- Automatic updates can be turned off in Play Store settings, but leaving them on keeps the app secure and working smoothly.
How to manually check for a Play Store update right now
Open the Google Play Store app on your phone. Tap your profile icon — it looks like a circle with your initial or photo — in the top right corner of the screen.
From the menu that appears, tap "Manage apps and device." You will see three tabs at the top: "Manage," "Updates available," and "Installed." Tap the "Updates available" tab. If the Google Play Store itself has an update waiting, it will appear in this list with an "Update" button next to it. Tap that button to download and install it now.
The update usually takes less than a minute on a Wi-Fi connection. Your phone may ask you to restart the Play Store app when it finishes. If it does, tap "Open" to restart it.
Where automatic updates are controlled
By default, your phone is set to update the Play Store automatically over Wi-Fi. You can see this setting and change it if you want to, though most people leave it as is.
Open the Play Store app and tap your profile icon in the top right. Tap "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Network preferences." You will see an option that says "Auto-update apps." The default is "Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only," which means updates happen when you are connected to Wi-Fi but not on mobile data. If you tap this option, you can change it to "Auto-update apps over any network" (which uses mobile data) or "Don't auto-update apps" (which means you update manually every time). Most people keep it on "Wi-Fi only" to save mobile data.
Why the Play Store updates matter
Updates to the Play Store itself are not the same as updates to the apps you use — those are handled separately. But the Play Store app is the tool that finds, downloads, and manages all your other apps, so keeping it current matters for security and performance.
When Google releases a Play Store update, it usually includes fixes for bugs that were found, improvements to how the app works, or security patches that close holes hackers could use. Running an old version of the Play Store means you are missing those protections.
What to do if an update is stuck or won't install
Occasionally an update fails to download or gets stuck partway through. The quickest fix is to clear the Play Store's cache — this is temporary data the app stores on your phone, not your personal files or settings.
Go to your phone's Settings app. Tap "Apps" or "Application Manager" (the exact name varies by phone brand). Find "Google Play Store" in the list and tap it. Tap "Storage" or "Storage and cache," then tap "Clear cache." Go back to the Play Store app and try the update again.
If the update still will not install, restart your phone and try once more. If it continues to fail, check that you have enough free space on your phone — updates need a few hundred megabytes to download. You can check available space in Settings under "Storage" or "Device care."
Difference between Play Store updates and app updates
The Google Play Store app itself is separate from the apps you download through it. When you update the Play Store, you are updating the marketplace tool. When you update an app like Gmail or YouTube, you are updating that specific app.
Both happen automatically by default, and both can be checked manually in the same "Updates available" tab. If you want to update only certain apps and not others, you can turn off auto-update for the whole system and then manually update each app one at a time — though this is rarely necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Play Store say "Pending" next to an update?
A pending update is waiting to install, usually because your phone is not currently on Wi-Fi or plugged in. Move to a Wi-Fi network and leave your phone plugged in for a few minutes. The update should start automatically. If it does not, restart your phone and check again.
Can I use my phone while the Play Store is updating?
Yes. The update happens in the background and does not lock your phone. You can use other apps, make calls, or send messages while it installs. The Play Store app itself may not work until the update finishes, but everything else on your phone works normally.
What if I turn off auto-updates?
If you turn off automatic updates, the Play Store will not update itself or your apps unless you manually tap the update button. This saves mobile data but means you have to remember to check for updates regularly. Most people leave auto-updates on for security reasons.
Does updating the Play Store delete my apps or data?
No. Updating the Play Store only changes the marketplace app itself. Your installed apps, photos, messages, and all your personal data stay exactly as they are. The update is just a new version of the tool you use to find and manage apps.