While downloading apps, games, and other items on the Play Store app, it’s common to encounter some delays; let’s show you how to fix the download pending on Android.
Google Play, like all mobile apps, has its issues. One of the most common problems you can face when using this app is the download pending issue.
The causes of this error include downloading the updates for too many apps at once, low phone storage, poor internet connection, and others.
In this guide, we’ll discuss tips on how to fix download pending.
How to solve the download pending issue
You can fix the Google Play Store download pending error in different ways. Let’s explore some of these methods:
Go through the current downloads and updates
This is the first tip on how to fix download pending we’ll look at because one of the most common issues that cause the problem is when you’ve many apps updating at the same time.
If you need to download a specific app urgently, here’s how to get it:
- Open the Google Play Store app
- At the top-right corner, tap your profile picture
- Press Manage apps & device
- Select the Manage tab
- The apps being updated or downloaded will appear
- Cancel the download by tapping on the X icon beside their name
You can now go ahead and download the app you need on the Android device, and no Play Store update should get in the way.
Use cellular data for the download if Wi-Fi doesn’t work
To download any app on your phone, you need the Internet. For this reason, ensure your Internet connection is stable. If you’re using a Wi-Fi network, and it has stopped working for one reason or the other, consider switching the Internet source to mobile data to fix pending downloads.
Don’t know how to make the switch? Follow the below instructions:
- Turn the WiFi connection off in the Quick Settings panel
- Turn mobile data on in the same panel
- Open the Google Play Store app
- Access the app’s settings by tapping on the three horizontal lines in the upper-left
- In the next screen, select Network preferences > App download preference
- Select the option Over any network
- Press Done
Clear your Play Store app cache
Issues with apps updating and downloading can be due to an overloaded Play Store cache. You’ll encounter this problem where there are many apps that Google Play needs to check updates for and carry out other related activities.
Clear the Play Store app’s cache by following the instructions below:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap on App Management> App settings
- From the list, choose the Google Play Store
- Tap on Storage > Clear cache
Use the Force stop button
When the Player Store isn’t working properly, you may encounter the download pending problem. To fix the issue, we recommend force-stopping your Google Play app.
- Open the Settings app
- Tap on App Management> App settings
- In the list of all apps on your phone, select Google Play Store
- Tap on the Force stop button
- Restart the app and see if it works properly
Change Google Play app download preferences
Sometimes, your app download preferences may be the cause of the problems; hence, consider using the suggestions below on how to fix the download pending.
Head to the settings of the Play Store app, and you’ll see the option for setting app download preference, such as mobile data, WiFi, or both for download of apps, games
If you’ve made some changes to this setting, your Android may encounter the download pending error when you’re trying to download a mobile app.
You can change the app download preference with these tips:
- Launch Google Play Store
- Press your profile picture in the upper-right
- In the pop-up, select Settings > Network preferences > App download preference
- Choose any of these options in the list: Ask me every time, Over any network, and Wi-Fi only
- Press Done
Check the Storage (SD card) settings
When Android phones are low on storage space, you’ll have issues downloading new apps on the devices. In such a case when trying to download an app, you’ll get a notification on the smartphone saying your phone’s storage space is low.
The simple solution is to free up some space in your SD card and device's internal memory:
- Go to Settings > Storage
- Check the available space
- Delete pictures, videos, and documents, and uninstall some apps to free up some space.
After using this recommendation on how to fix the download pending, go back to Google Play and try downloading the app again.
Update your phone’s firmware
Sometimes, having an older smartphone Android OS version can also cause this problem. To fix it, you need to update your phone’s software to the latest version.
Here’s how to check for OS updates:
- Open Settings
- Tap on About device or My phone > Updates > Check for updates
If an OS update is available for your device, you can download and install it.
How to Resolve the Play Store Download Pending Issue
This problem can best be tackled using the methods explained above.
Why are my downloads stuck on pending?
There are various reasons why this issue occurs. Below, we outline some of them:
- Having too many apps updating simultaneously
- Low phone or SD card storage
- Internet connection or Wi-Fi issues
- Incorrect time and date on the phone
- Certain app download preferences on Google Play
- Incomplete Google account setup
- Outdated Android OS
- The Google Play Store app needs updates
We’ve discussed different methods to solve this problem. Delay in downloading resulting in the Play Store download pending error also has some other causes.
Final thoughts
You can learn how to fix download pending by following the tips given in this guide. There are different causes of the problem, such as having too many apps updating at once, low phone storage, Wi-Fi or Internet connection issues, and others.
