Quick Info
  • Network issues, incorrect network settings, corrupted Play Store app cache, and low storage space can result in the 'Download Pending' error when downloading apps from the Google Play Store.
  • You can try switching to a different network, check your network preference settings, clear Play Store cache and data, and delete unwanted apps and files to try and resolve the problem.
  • Updating the Play Store, your device, and downloading using a different Google account can also help deal with the issue.
  • Other solutions include downloading the app or APK using the web version of the Play Store or downloading an APK from third-party websites.

Fix 1: Check your internet connectivity

You may experience issues downloading or updating apps from the Play Store if your internet connection is not stable. A weak or unstable connection can prevent the Play Store from downloading applications and it will pause them until you connect your device to a more stable connection. If you can connect to a different network, do that and then try downloading or updating your apps. Otherwise, wait for your connection to become more stable before retrying the download.

Fix 2: Change Google Play network preference settings

Your network preference determines how Google Play downloads and updates applications. If there is a problem with a network preventing downloads, you can change the network preference to try and fix it.

  1. Open the Play Store and tap on your account icon on the top right.
  2. Next, tap on 'Settings'.
  1. On the Settings page, tap on 'Network Preferences'.
  2. You will get a dropdown menu and you can tap on the 'Download over any network' option and then on OK. Then retry downloading the app you want to install.

Fix 3: Clear Play Store app cache and data

Another reason why you may be getting the 'download pending' error is if the app cache and data files of the Play Store have become corrupted. You can try clearing them, though that will also remove your user data and you will need to log in again.

  1. Open the Settings app on your Android device and tap on 'Apps'.
  2. On the apps page, tap on 'Play Store' in the list of apps.
  1. Next, tap on 'Clear data'.
  2. You will get the options to 'Clear all data' and 'Clear cache'. Tap on both options one by one and confirm your decision. Once both the data and cache are cleared, log in to Google Play again and then try downloading your apps.

Fix 4: Avoid downloading multiple apps simultaneously

If there is no problem with your network, you may be trying to download multiple applications at the same time which is the reason you are seeing the 'Download pending' message. Google Play downloads and updates applications one after another and not all at once. So, you will see the message for other apps as the Play Store completes downloading the apps you selected first.

You can stop the downloads or close the Play Store to stop all downloads and reopen it before downloading or updating your apps one by one.

Fix 5: Check for Play Store update

  1. Open the Play Store and tap on your profile picture in the top right.
  2. Then tap on 'Settings'.
  1. Tap on the 'About' section to expand it.
  2. Then tap on 'Update Play Store'. If an update is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Fix 6: Reboot your device

Many problems can be solved by simply restarting your device since it closes all background applications and clears the phone memory. If there is a glitch causing you to see the 'download pending' notification, it can be solved by a reboot too.

  1. Press and hold the power button on your device for a few seconds to view the power options.
  2. Tap on the reboot button. Your device may require different steps, though the basic approach will be similar.

Fix 7: Check your storage space

Applications downloaded by the Play Store are stored on your device, which means it should have adequate space for them. If your device does not have enough space, you may get the 'download pending' error. You can remove unwanted applications and files to clear up some space and then try to download apps again.

Fix 8: Use a different Google account

You can try changing your Google account and installing apps from a different account.

  1. Open the Play Store and tap on your account picture on the top right.
  2. Then tap on the arrow next to your account info and then on 'Manage accounts on this device'.
  1. Next, tap on 'Google'.
  2. Finally, tap on 'Remove account' to remove your account from the device before rebooting it.
  1. Once you've removed your account and restarted your phone, you can add a different account. Open the Settings app and tap on 'Accounts' or 'Accounts & Sync'.
  2. Then tap on 'Add account' and follow the steps to add a different Google account.

Fix 9: Check for system updates

Sometimes device updates can fix issues that might be causing problems, such as causing your app downloads to fail. You can check whether any updates are available, install them, and then try redownloading your apps.

  1. Open the Settings app and tap on 'About Phone' or 'System'.
  2. Then tap on 'Check for updates' or 'Software update'. Depending on your device, you may have to tap on the 'Android version'. Your device will check for the latest updates and then install them before rebooting.

Fix 10: Download using the desktop version of the Play Store

If you cannot download apps from the Play Store on your mobile, try doing so from the desktop version of Google Play.

  1. Visit the Google Play Store webpage on your desktop and click on the account icon on the top right and then on 'Sign in with Google'.
  1. Sign in to the same Google account that you use on your device on which you want to install the app.
  2. Click on the search icon at the top and search for the app you want to install. Then click on the 'Install' button.
  1. A pop-up will appear where you can choose the device where you want to install the app. Use the arrows to change the device. Once you've selected it, click on the 'Install' button.
Note: You can also download APKs from the Google Play Store instead of the app and install it on your device, though installing the app directly is an easier and simpler method.

Fix 11: Sideload APK from third-party websites

If you cannot download apps from the Play Store, you can try doing so using the web browser on your device.

  1. Visit a third-party website that lets you download APKs, such as APKMirror.
  2. Search for the app you want to download using the search icon.
  3. You will see a list of all the available APKs for that app. Tap on one to view available downloads.
  1. You will see a warning that the file might be harmful. Tap on 'Download anyway' to proceed with the download.
  2. Once it is downloaded, tap on 'Open' to install it. You will have to grant permission before you can install the APK on your device.

Things to know

  • You can also try uninstalling updates to the Play Store from the Apps section in the Settings app. Then reinstall the updates before trying your app downloads.
  • Be careful when installing APKs from third-party websites as that can make your device vulnerable to threats. Only resort to that method if nothing else works.
  • If your device has additional problems besides being unable to download apps, consider performing a factory reset. That will remove everything from it and you will have to set it up again, though.