How to install the Google Play Store on any Android device

The Google Play store is the main tool we have on Android to install applications and games. An application that, in fact, is pre-installed as standard on most Android tablets and mobile phones. But what if a device is not certified by Google and does not include the Google Play Store factory installed?

Certain Chinese smartphones, as well as Amazon Fire tablets, certain ebook readers and emulators, do not include the Google app store by default. Each device is different, and although the process that we are going to explain below may not work for everyone, it will undoubtedly cover a wide range of casuistry. Then we have devices that have their own installation process, such as Huawei phones, in which case we will have to look for a specific tutorial for our hardware.

Warnings and preliminary considerations

Secondly, even if we manage to install the Play Store, the fact that the application does not come pre-installed as standard can also cause us certain problems. From the outset, our terminal will not be able to pass Google's SafetyNet test, which means that some applications will not work correctly –see Google Pay- and others will not even be able to be installed. We could also find other varied obstacles, although that will depend on the version of Android that we use.

Before jumping into the pool, we must not forget about the alternatives either. Android has several compatible application stores and software repositories apart from the traditional Google Play Store. Stores like the Amazon Appstore, F-Droid or the legendary APK Mirror. For more information take a look at the post “7 alternatives to Google Play: Other Android app repositories”.

Guide to install Google Play Store on any Android terminal

The first step to start the Google Play installation process is to enable the installation of applications of unknown origin. This will allow us to install applications through APK files, which will be just what we will use to install the Play Store on our device.

• Open the menu "Settings"Or"Setting”From your Android.
• If your settings menu incorporates a search engine at the top of the screen, write “unknown apps”, “external sources”, “unknown origin”Or similar terms. The name may vary from one system or device to another.
• If you do not get any results enter "Applications and notifications -> Special application access -> Install unknown applications”.
• In some versions of Android you can also find this option in the "Privacy / Security”.
• Also depending on our version of Android, we will find a single button to activate the installation of unknown applications or an individual activation button for the browser, another for the file manager, etc. For example, if we use the browser to download the APK from Google Play, we will have to authorize the download of unknown applications in the browser (in the example of the screenshot you see below it would be Chrome).

1. Identify the architecture of your CPU and the Android version of your device

The files needed to install the Play Store will vary depending on our version of Android and the hardware architecture of the device. That is why it is very important that we identify this information before starting to download anything.

For this we can navigate between the operating system settings, although the easiest way to do it is by entering WhatDevice.app. It is a web application whose sole purpose is to provide technical information about the device that is accessing the page. Make a note of the OS version and architecture (it should be something like armv8l, x86_64, and the like).

If WhatDevice does not show the information we need (some browsers usually block access to this type of information) we can install an app called "Device Info HW" available in APK format from the APK Mirror repository HERE. Download the installation package from your browser, open it and the tool will install automatically. We will find the Android version in the "General" tab and the CPU architecture in "SOC -> ABI".

If everything has gone well, at this time we will have in our possession 2 data: android version installed and CPU architecture. We're almost there, folks!

2. Download the Google Play Store

The next step is to download the installation APK files necessary to run the Google Play Store on our terminal. In total we will have to download 4 applications (IMPORTANT: Download but do not install any of these applications yet):

• Google Account Manager: If you have Android 7.1.2 or higher, download Google Account Manager 7.1.2 from APK Mirror HERE. If you have an older version of Android, enter HERE and download the version of Google Account Manager that most closely matches your Android version.
• Google Services Framework: In this case we will do the same. We enter the Google Services Framework repository HERE and we download the variant that is closest to our version of Android. For example, if we have Android 9.0 we will download the version of Google Services Framework 9.
• Google Play Services: This is one of the most essential components of the Play Store. Enter the APK Mirror repository HERE and download the latest variant that fits both your version of Android and your CPU architecture. These are the 2 data that we have collected in the previous step thanks to the WhatDevice utility.
• Google Play Store: Finally we will download the most recent version from the Play Store. Luckily, Google only has a single variant that works with all Android architectures and versions, so just select and download the latest version available that is not labeled "beta." You can find the download repository HERE.

The first 3 applications are necessary to be able to manage the basic services and Google APIs. The fourth app in contention is the Google Play store itself. You are ready? Now we only have to install the APKs and finally we will have access to the Play Store. Let's go there!

3. Install the Google Play Store

To install all the installation packages that we have just downloaded in APK format, open a file explorer and navigate to the “Downloads” folder (or “Downloads” if it is in English). If you don't have any installed, you can download one from APK Mirror, for example STAR or Google files.

Now open the installation packages that you have downloaded in the previous point in the following order. Once the installation of each of the components is completed do not click on "Open" (just go back or just select "Done").

• google.gsf.login
• google.android.gsf
• google.android.gms
• android.vending

Once the 4 applications are installed, restart the device. You will see how now the Play Store appears together with the rest of the applications available on the mobile or tablet. Open it, log in with your Google account and you will have everything ready to download and install any app or game from the store. Achieved!

Note: If any of the Play Store components have not been installed, it is most likely that we have not downloaded the correct version of the software. Make sure you have correctly noted the Android + architecture version of your CPU and try again.