Learn 13 Methods To Get Rid Of Download Pending Problem On Google Play Store!
Google Play Store is most trusted application that is used to download different types of apps for your Android Smartphone.
But sometimes when you are downloading any app from Google Play Store, you see the “Download pending” error and then we start tapping on download pending button but still it remain stuck at download pending screen.
Well, if you are also encountering “download pending” issue while downloading any app from Play Store on Android, then don’t worry. Read this blog and follow the solutions and their steps mentioned in this post that will help you to fix download pending error on Google Play Store.
- Solution 1: Restart/Reboot Your Android Phone
- Solution 2: Check Your Network Connection
- Solution 3: Clear Play Store Cache And Data
- Solution 4: Reset App Preferences
- Solution 5: Check The Date & Time Of Your Device
- Solution 6: Change Your Google Account
- Solution 7: Remove SD Card Or Use SD Card Properly
- Solution 8: Enable The Play Store’s Download Manager
- Solution 9: Disable Pending Installations and Auto-Update
- Solution 10: Download The Apps From Play Store Website Through Browser
- Solution 11: Check And Clear The Internal Storage Space
- Solution 12: Uninstall and Re-Install Play Store Updates
- Solution 13: Factory Reset Your Device
Let us start with a real user practical example!
Practical Example: A User Trying To Download App But Play Store Showing Download Pending Problem
“I am trying to download an app but play store showing download pending problem. I have already tried your given solution but that won’t work. So please help me ASAP”
Source: Google Play Help
That was just one example, but there are lots of user out there who is getting the download pending error on their Android phones.
So, now the question arises – How do I fix download pending on Google Play?
Well! If you are also facing this download pending problem then you don’t have to worry, in this blog post you will learn 13 effective ways to fix the download pending issue on Google Play Store.
Below all the solutions are applicable for all phone brands and model like Xiaomi, Samsung, HTC, LG, Oppo, Vivo, Panasonic, ASUS, Realme, OnePlus, Motorola, Huawei, ZTE, Google Pixel, Meizu, Nokia, Sony, etc.
Additional Reading: [Solutions] “Unfortunately, Google Play Store Has Stopped” On Android
Solution 1: Restart/Reboot Your Android Phone
This is one of the simplest and easiest methods to solve the “download pending” error on Google Play Store on your Android device. To fix this issue you need to first close all running apps on your device and then long press “Power” button and when you see ‘Restart’ or ‘Reboot’ option, tap on it.
You can also switch OFF your Android phone and after few seconds Switch ON it again. Now check the problem is resolved or not, if same error still occurs, then follow another solution.
Solution 2: Check Your Network Connection
Sometimes user forgets to check their internet connection on their Android phone. So, if you are using Wi-Fi to download the app then first you need to check the data connection by opening any website on your PC. If it is working slowly then restart your modem or you can contact to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If still Google Play Store is not downloading your app then Turn ON the mobile data temporary to download app.
To check the downloading is enabled or not on mobile data, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Open Google Play Store and tap on the menu button (three line).
Step 2: Go to Settings > App download preference > Over any network.
Step 3: If downloading resumes when connected to mobile data then it means your home or office Wi-Fi connection has some fault. You can restart the modem again if it not works then call your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Additional Reading: Fix Common Google Play Services Unknown Issues
Solution 3: Clear Play Store Cache And Data
By clearing the data and cache of the Play Store app also fixes many issues including download pending. Here follow the steps to clear the Play Store cache and data:
- First go to “Settings” option on your Android phone.
- After that go to “Apps” section then go to All
- Now scroll down the slider to reach Google Play Store.
- Hit on “Clear Data & Clear Cache” option.
Now you can restart your phone and you will see the “download pending” error has been solved.
Solution 4: Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences can also solve the Play Store download pending error on your Android device.
However reset app preferences resets settings of all apps.
To reset app preference, go to “Settings”, then tap on “Apps” and then open the menu and tap on “Reset app preferences” option.
You will get a pop-up menu which tells you what is going to happen. Tap on “Reset apps” to reset app preferences.
Solution 5: Check The Date & Time Of Your Device
Your Android phone set the correct date and time automatically by using your carrier and geo-location. But sometimes, your device not set the correct time automatically and this can cause the issue of download pending error on your Google play store.
To change it, go to “Settings”, then tap on “Additional Settings” and select “Date & Time”.
Now turn OFF the automatic date and time and set both date and time manually. Check the date and time is correct while you are setting the date & time.
By using this solution many users solve the downloading pending problem on Google Play Store. If this solution solve your problem then it’s good, if not then follow the other solution.
Solution 6: Change Your Google Account
If Play store keep saying download pending on your device then you can easily solve it by simply changing the Google account that is associated with the Google Play Store.
Follow the below steps to change the Google account:
- First go to “Settings” and then scroll down until you get the “Account & sync”.
- Tap on Google then select “Remove account”.
- Restart your Android phone.
Once you remove the old account, now follow the below steps to add new account:
- Go to “Account & sync” and then scroll to the bottom.
- Here you will find “Add account” option, simply tap on it and then add your new account.
Now, you can download the apps from the Play Store without facing the download pending error.
Solution 7: Remove SD Card Or Use SD Card Properly
This is also one of the reasons for the play store stuck on downloading. Sometimes users do not insert the SD card properly on their Android device and it can cause the downloading pending issue on Play Store. To solve this error you should take out the SD card and then try or if you want to use SD memory card then insert/use the SD card properly.
You must always try to use good quality SD card on your Android smartphones.
Solution 8: Enable The Play Store’s Download Manager
Download Manager app is used by Google Play store to handle all download and updates on Android phones. If your Download Manager app has been disabled then you have to enable it.
To learn how to fix download pending, you need to enable the Download Manager. To do this, go to Settings and then tap on Apps. Here you will see system apps.
And under the System apps you will get the Download Manager. To allow Play Store to do its job correctly, enable the Download Manager.
Solution 9: Disable Pending Installations and Auto-Update
You can fix this download pending issue by stopping all the pending installations & auto updates. To do this follow the below steps:
- Open Google Play Store on your device.
- Go to “My apps & games” option.
- Here you will get list for updates and installations of all the apps.
- Here you can disable pending installations and auto-updates.
Now you can again download the apps.
Tip: To free up space on Android, it is always suggested that you must stop auto-updates and go for manual updates.
Solution 10: Download The Apps From Play Store Website Through Browser
Google Play Store downloading problem can also be solved by installing the apps from official Play Store website on your mobile or computer browser and sign-in with your Google account to browse the app.
When you select the app in a browser window you have to click on “Install”. You may have to enter your account password again one time. After that you need to choose your phone’s model from the dropdown list of devices related with this Google account.
After that you can check the app was download or not on your smartphone. It is not a guaranteed solution but you can try it.
Solution 11: Check And Clear The Internal Storage Space
If your phone’s internal memory space is full then it may also cause the download pending error on Play Store while downloading the app.
So, first you have to go to your internal storage option of your phone and check the storage space. If you find less space on your internal memory then please delete those photos, videos, apps and other data which you don’t need or can also move it to your computer.
Solution 12: Uninstall and Re-Install Play Store Updates
You can easily solve this issue by uninstalling all Play Store updates. To do this go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Uninstall updates. After this you may get a pop-up message on your screen to change the Play Store to default settings. If so, then simply tap on “OK”.
Now, open Google Play Store and try to download the app. If the Google Play Store not showing the downloading pending error then it’s good but if still it is showing the error then follow the final solution.
Solution 13: Factory Reset Your Device
If all the above solutions do not solve your “downloading pending” error on Google Play Store then last option left with you is to factory reset your phone.
Note: Remember to keep backup of all your important data before performing factory reset as factory reset will erase all your stored data.
Below, follow the steps to factory reset your device. The steps may differ from phone to phone and models to models.
- Go to “Settings” of your device.
- Tap on System> Advanced> Reset options. If “Advanced” option is not there, then tap on “Reset” options.
- Tap “Erase all data (factory reset)” and then tap “Reset Phone”. If asked, enter PIN, password or pattern.
- Tap “Erase everything” to erase all data on your phone’s internal storage.
Once the reset process gets complete, set-up your phone. Now open Play Store and download the app and I am sure “download pending” problem will be solved.
Important Note:
If you forget to keep backup of your precious data and you lost all your stored data from your Android phone after factory reset. Don’t worry! In this case you are highly recommended to try Android Data Recovery Software to recover all the deleted data.
This software will allow you to selectively retrieve your deleted files from Android after factory reset. By using this tool you can effectively recover data types like photos, videos, contacts, call/voice recordings, call history, audios, messages, notes, documents and so on.
Conclusion
I hope from the above 13 solutions you were able to successfully troubleshoot your Google Play Store stuck on downloading pending on your Android smartphone.
I know how you feel when you try to download the app but the frustrating issue “download pending” occur on your phone screen, but I am sure the above solutions do not disappoint you in fixing the download pending error on Google Play Store.

Wan to know About Me. Well, I have experince of almost 11 years in writing topics related to Android and other tech. Previously, I used to write Blogs for the company where I was working earlier. Now, I love to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions, and more related to Android for my own Website. Besides that, I love to travel and explore places, watch movies and play online games.