How Do I Enable Apps on Play Store?

Enable Apps On Play Store is home to millions of apps and games. But it’s also a hub for movies, books, music, and more.

Some built-in apps on your Android(tm) device can’t be uninstalled or disabled. But they can be hidden so you don’t see them in the app drawer. Learn how to do that here.

Enabling apps on the Play Store involves various steps, and it’s important to ensure that your device and account settings are configured correctly.

The Google Play Store is the primary source for Android users to download and install applications on their devices. Ensuring that your apps are enabled on the Play Store involves a series of steps that encompass both device and account settings. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process to enable apps on the Play Store effectively.

1. Check Device Compatibility:

Before enabling apps on the Play Store, it’s crucial to ensure that your device is compatible with the applications you want to download. Check the device’s specifications, including the operating system version, to confirm compatibility.

2. Google Account Setup: Your Google Account is the key to accessing the Play Store. Make sure you are signed in with the correct Google Account on your Android device. To check and update your Google Account, go to Settings > Accounts > Google.

3. Connect to the Internet: A stable internet connection is necessary to access the Play Store. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network or enable mobile data to ensure a reliable internet connection.

4. Update Play Store App: Ensure that your Play Store app is up to date. Google regularly releases updates with bug fixes and new features. Open the Play Store, go to the menu, and select “My apps & games” to check for updates.

5. Enable App Permissions:

Android apps often require certain permissions to function correctly. Review and enable necessary app permissions by going to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions.

6. Check Storage Availability: Ensure that your device has sufficient storage space to download and install apps. Navigate to Settings > Storage to check available space and free up storage if necessary.

7. Update Android OS: Keeping your Android operating system up to date is crucial for app compatibility and security. Check for system updates by going to Settings > System > Software Update.

8. Enable Background Data: Some apps require background data to be enabled for updates and notifications. Confirm that background data is enabled by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage > [App Name] > Background data.

9. Google Play Protect: Google Play Protect scans apps for malware and other security threats. Ensure it is enabled by going to Settings > Security > Google Play Protect.

10. Check Parental Controls:

If you have set up parental controls on your device, make sure they are configured appropriately. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls > Parental controls to manage restrictions.

11. Review Play Store Settings: Open the Play Store app and navigate to Settings. Review and adjust settings such as Auto-update apps, App download preference, and Notifications based on your preferences.

12. Google Play Services: Many apps rely on Google Play Services for various functionalities. Ensure that Google Play Services are up to date by going to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > App details in store.

13. Clear Play Store Cache: Clearing the cache of the Play Store can resolve issues related to app downloads. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear Cache.

14. Check Payment Methods: If you are trying to download paid apps, ensure that your payment methods are set up correctly. Open the Play Store, go to Account > Payment methods to review and update your payment information.

15. Remove Play Store Restrictions: If you have set up any restrictions on the Play Store, remove them to enable app downloads. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Restrictions and adjust as needed.

16. Contact Google Support: If you have tried all the steps above and still face issues, consider reaching out to Google Support for assistance. Visit the Google Play Help Center for troubleshooting guides and contact options.

Apps

If your phone’s apps are acting up, it might be time to do a system reset. Resetting your phone will clear out all the pre-installed apps, and give you a fresh start.

Some of the apps that come pre-installed on your device can’t be uninstalled, but you can disable them. This will prevent the app from running in the background and using up your data plan or battery.

Disabling apps will also prevent them from being updated automatically, so you won’t get any annoying notifications. However, you can manually update them if you wish to.

Some devices (such as Xperia(tm) smartphones) have the option to hide pre-installed apps from the home screen and app drawer. You can access this feature by navigating to the device settings, and tapping Application manager. From there, you can either sort the apps in a custom order or by name. You can also revoke app permissions for any app that you don’t want to use anymore. This will stop them from working and will prevent them from appearing on the home screen.

Movies & TV

Sadly, Microsoft doesn’t offer a dedicated app for playing content bought on Google Play. But the good news is that you can still watch your movies and TV shows on Windows 10 PCs. The easiest way is to use YouTube. Just log in to YouTube with the same Google account you used to purchase the video content, and you can view your purchases in a regular YouTube window.

You can also download your videos to your computer for offline viewing, and you can keep track of all your content in a Watchlist that’s shared between your phone, tablet, laptop, or TV with Google. Plus, you can stream your purchases or rent a new movie in HD quality on any device, even without an internet connection.

The Google Play Movies & TV app started to die off in 2022, when the company replaced it on smartphones with the Google TV app.

Games

Many Android users have apps on their phones and tablets they never use. Whether it’s because they downloaded them in a rush and forgot about them or because they were just not very good, it’s easy to end up with some app junk on your device.

Enable Apps On Play Store Android devices running on 4.2 or higher give you the option to hide certain apps, so they don’t appear in your home screen or app drawer. If you find an app that doesn’t want to stay hidden, there are several ways to fix it.

Tap the arrow next to “About this app” to read the details of the app. The system also shows the permissions the app requests, which you can allow or deny as you choose. Apps that require more than basic access, like a wallpaper changer that needs to read your device’s storage, will ask you to allow it. If you don’t accept the permissions, you’ll see a warning that the app may stop working properly.

Books

Google Books turns any Android device into a full-featured eReader. You can browse and buy eBooks and audiobooks from Google Play Store, as well as read free books that have been scanned by Google’s machine learning algorithms.

You can also see a list of recommended books based on what you’ve already read. Tap the book cover to see a description, ratings and reviews from other readers. If the book is priced, a “Buy” button will appear. the book is free, you’ll see an “Add to Library” button instead.

If the book is available for offline reading, you can download it to your device so that you can read it without Internet access. Tap the menu icon on the right side of the book’s cover to select this option.

You can also turn pages by swiping left or right, although doing so will only advance the book one page at a time. You can zoom in and out on the screen by dragging two fingers together or apart. A magnifying glass is also available to help you search for a word.

Music

Playing music on an Android(tm) smartphone is a quick way to multitask in the workplace, enhancing or lightening the mood as you send text messages, use additional applications or browse the Web. The default Music application provides users with the ability to play audio in a variety of ways, and can even be configured to automatically download new songs while streaming music.

Google Play Music, like Apple’s iTunes, allows you to buy songs or albums, and it lets you upload your existing library of tunes to the service for access anywhere. The app offers a range of other features that can help you stream, share and enjoy your tunes.

One particularly nice feature is a setting to cache music while streaming, so that you’re not tuneless should you lose your Wi-Fi connection. Another standout is a feature called I’m Feeling Lucky, which randomly selects a result — in this case, a playlist or radio station based on your play history and music likes — for you to listen to. It’s a simple, well-designed touch that makes Google Play Music an appealing alternative to iTunes or Spotify.

Conclusion:

Enabling apps on the Google Play Store involves a combination of device and account settings. By following the comprehensive guide above, you can troubleshoot common issues and ensure a smooth experience when downloading and using apps on your Android device. Regularly updating your device, Play Store app, and reviewing settings will contribute to a secure and efficient app ecosystem on your Android device.