You open Google Play, find the app you want, and the install path changes depending on the device in front of you. A phone, computer, Chromebook, watch, TV, work profile, or new Android setup each uses its own official route. Start with the Android phone method, then jump to the device or situation that matches what you are trying to install.
Install an app on your Android phone or tablet
This fixes the standard Play Store app install flow on the Android device you are holding.
Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
Search for the app you want, or browse Google Play until you find it.
Select the app to open its listing.
Tap Install, or tap the app's price for a paid item.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the transaction and get the app.
Fix a missing Install button
The most common cause is that the app is not compatible with your device or Google Account.
Open the app listing and check that Google Play is showing the app for the device you want to use.
On the Google Play web store, sign in with the Google Account linked to your eligible device.
Use the available device filters, such as Phone, Tablet, TV, Chromebook, Watch, or XR headset.
Choose the correct device from the available device options, then select Install when it appears.
If Google Play does not offer Install for that device, use another compatible device or choose another app.
Use play.google.com on a computer
A computer is the cleanest path when you want to browse on a larger screen and send the app to a linked device.
- 1.Go to play.google.com in your browser and sign in with the Google Account connected to your device.
- 2.Search or browse for the app or content you want.
- 3.Select the item to open its listing.
- 4.Click Install.
- 5.Use the device dropdown to choose the device that should receive the app, then click Install again.
Send an app to another device from your phone
Open the Google Play app on your Android phone or tablet.
Search or browse for the app or content you want to install.
Select the item to open its page.
Next to Install, tap the Down arrow.
Select the checkbox for each compatible device that should get the app, then tap Install.
Use this same path for an eligible watch, TV, car, or other linked device.
Sync new apps across your devices
Use app sync when new apps installed on your phone or tablet should also install on other compatible devices signed in with the same Google Account, including a watch, Chromebook, TV, or Android Automotive car.
Open the Google Play app.
Tap your Profile icon.
Tap Manage apps & device, then tap Sync apps to devices.
Select the devices that should sync apps with your phone or tablet.
Bring back apps you installed before
To reinstall or turn an app back on, open the Google Play app on your Android device, tap the Profile icon, then choose Manage apps & device and Manage.
Select the apps you want to install or turn on, then tap Install or Enable. If the app is not in the current device view, tap This device at the top, switch to Not installed, and look again.
For an archived app, tap the faded app icon on your home screen to reinstall it. You can also unarchive it from App info in Settings or from the app's details page in the Play Store. Google notes that some of these archive and unarchive steps work only on Android 15 and up, and some work only on devices with supporting hardware.
Skip older Play Store menu directions that point to My apps & games or Library. The current Android path is Profile, Manage apps & device, Manage, and Not installed.
Set up apps on Chromebook, Wear OS, or Google TV
Use the built-in Play Store path for the device you are using.
- 1.On a Chromebook, select the time, open Settings, go to Apps, then choose Manage Google Play preferences. If that option is not shown, the Chromebook does not work with Android apps.
- 2.In the Google Play setup window on Chromebook, select More, follow the Terms of Service prompts, then open Play Store, choose an item, and select Install or the item's price.
- 3.On a Wear OS 2 or newer watch, wake the screen, press the Power button, open Play Store, tap Search, use Microphone or Keyboard, then tap Install.
- 4.From your phone, open Play Store, tap Categories, choose Watch apps or Watch faces, select an item, and tap Install. Use the Down arrow to choose only the phone or a different watch.
- 5.On Google TV, press the Assistant button on your remote or select Search, say or type the app name, then select Install. You can also browse from the Apps tab and follow the on-screen instructions.
Restore apps while setting up a new Android device
This fixes the new-phone setup flow when you want your old apps to come back.
Turn on the new Android device and start setup.
When prompted to set up using another device, select Android device to pair with your old Android device.
Follow the QR code pairing instructions.
Enter your PIN, pattern, or password to transfer your Wi-Fi credentials and Google accounts.
Choose to copy apps and data from your old device.
Follow the on-screen prompts to select what to copy.
To restore from Google backup instead, tap Skip when asked to set up using another device.
Connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with your Google Account.
Choose the apps and data you want to copy, then select the backup to restore.
When Android asks for verification, enter the PIN, pattern, or password from your old device.
Handle family, work, and unsupported device limits
Family settings affect what gets installed from Google Play. With Family Link, a parent chooses Controls, Google Play, Purchases & download approvals, and Require approval for to require approval before a child downloads or purchases Play Store content.
Google Play content restrictions also limit app and game downloads or purchases by maturity rating. In Google Play, the path is Profile, Settings, Family, Content restrictions, Go to Parental controls, Set up a parental controls PIN, and Next.
Work devices use Managed Google Play. Open Managed Google Play store, search for the approved app, tap the app, then tap Install; administrator-installed apps show that they cannot be uninstalled when policy blocks removal.
The Play Store app comes pre-installed on Android devices that support Google Play, and it is available on some Chromebooks. Google does not provide a supported consumer Play Store APK sideload method for unsupported Android devices, so contact your carrier or device manufacturer when the Play Store is missing.
If that route fails because your device does not support Google Play, use a compatible Android device, Chromebook, Wear OS watch, Google TV device, or another device already linked to your Google Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a Play Store app from my computer?
Yes. Go to play.google.com, sign in with the Google Account linked to your device, open the app listing, click Install, choose the device from the dropdown, and click Install again.
Can I install one app on more than one device?
Yes, when the app is compatible with those devices and they are linked to your Google Account. From the Play Store app, use the Down arrow next to Install and select each device.
How do I reinstall an app I deleted?
Open Google Play, tap your Profile icon, go to Manage apps & device, then Manage. Switch to Not installed if needed, select the app, and tap Install or Enable.
Can I install the Play Store on a device that did not come with it?
Google says the Play Store app comes pre-installed on Android devices that support Google Play and is available on some Chromebooks. Google does not provide a supported consumer Play Store APK sideload method for unsupported Android devices.