Why can’t I download apps on my Android phone?
QI have a Motorola Moto G5 smartphone running Android 7.0 (Nougat), which has been working well for months. Recently, though, I found I was no longer able to download apps from the Play Store. When I tap the Download button the display changes to show ‘Download pending’, so it looks like it’s going to work – but that’s where it stays. In other words, the chosen app never starts downloading. I’ve even tried waiting overnight, but the download never starts. I’ve tried lots of different apps and none will install, and yet it used to work fine. As things stand, my phone is increasingly annoying, as I can’t install anything new. Help! Do you know what’s causing this and how to fix it? Howard Krantz
AWhile not a common occurrence, this can happen when an Android phone switches from a Wi-fi connection to a mobile (4G or 3G) signal, and vice versa. Cancelling the download will sometimes fix it. So, if you haven’t done this already, try that first. Tap the cross to the right of the ‘Download pending’ message.
In addition, at risk of sounding like an IT support joke, switching the phone off and on again might do the job. Just hold down your phone's power button for a few seconds and then, when the power menu appears, tap ‘Reboot device’.
If not, clearing the Play Store app’s cache should resolve it. From the Android home page tap Settings, then scroll down to the Device section and, there, tap Apps. Now swipe through the list of apps to find and then tap Google Play Store. Finally, tap Storage followed by CLEAR CACHE (see screenshot above centre).
Now try downloading an app. We imagine it’ll work fine but, if not, a dead cert is to tap the CLEAR DATA button on the Storage screen mentioned above, then OK to confirm (see screenshot above right). Use this as a last resort, because its use will erase your personal settings from Play Store. This isn’t actually as bad as it sounds because you won’t lose any installed apps, but the Play Store app itself will effectively be wiped. The next time it’s launched, all you need to do is sign in using your Google credentials and Play Store will resurrect its memory of your digital existence.