If you've been using Android for a long time, you know that it is a fairly open operating system that allows you to modify literally anything. But Android applications (if we are not talking about piracy) can only be downloaded from Google Play. So? Not really. There are a lot of sites and alternative stores that meet the most demanding requirements of users. And often they are no less convenient than the Google store! So, it's time to learn about Google Play Store alternatives.
You don't have to use the Play Store to download apps
Aptoide - Simple and tasteful
Aptoide offers a Google Play-like user interface when downloading and installing apps. It is an open source software store and currently has over 150 million users worldwide. Aptoide even has programs that can't be found in the Play Store thanks to looser hosting rules. The interface offers detailed descriptions of applications and user reviews. And the developers say that “application updates appear here faster than on Google Play.”
Visit: Aptoide
Possible problems when logging into Google Play on Android
In some situations, the following problems may occur when logging into your Google account:
- An unknown error appears that prevents you from logging in. This problem may be caused by the operation of the device itself. For example, it contains malware that blocks the launch of system applications;
- Google Play crashes a few seconds after logging in. Typically, this problem indicates a system failure and can be fixed by rebooting the phone or resetting its settings to factory settings;
- After launching Google Play, the smartphone starts to get very hot and turns off after a while. To fix this problem, you will need to either remove the virus using third-party software, or reflash the gadget;
- After startup, a notification appears about temporary access denial. This circumstance indicates the preventive work that Google is currently carrying out. In this case, you need to wait a little.
Error when launching Google Play Market on the Android operating system
Universal ways to solve problems related to the performance of Google Play
There are several methods that can resolve a larger number of problems when logging into Google Play:
- cleaning storage. To implement this method, you need to go to the settings of your smartphone, go to the “Accounts” tab, find your Google account and click on the “Clear storage” button;
- Reset your phone to factory settings.
Thus, Google Play Market allows users to download their favorite applications, music, movies, etc. However, problems may arise when operating the application store, for which you can use the above recommendations.
F-Droid - Your new Android
F-Droid is another alternative store. It deals only with free and open source software. The platform operates on voluntary donations and you can freely contribute to the development of the project. But you don’t have to do this. This will not affect functionality in any way. F-Droid is widely used by developers as an easy access to all the programs they can use to make their own games or applications.
Visit: F-Droid
Similar programs:
There are many similar programs that may interest the user. Let's look at the most famous of them:
- “Xbox” - you can install it on any gadget, you can always stay on the same wavelength with friends and gamers. Control of the console is simple, it is possible to purchase new toys. Provided centralized access to the entire game menu. The range of possibilities is wide: you can communicate with friends, share videos and images with them, watch and publish news in your feed. The function of multi-user dialogue with friends has been configured;
- Twitch is an application for broadcasting toys, events and news. You can communicate with other users in real time and view exhibition presentations. All the latest in games, world cuisine, art and more are here at your service. Online forum integrated for multi-user communication. There is a function for playing in the dark. Just press one button and you can access videos from all over the world in one click;
- "PlayStation" - do you love gaming consoles? Now there is a unique opportunity to play it everywhere without losing touch with other players. The store is constantly updated with new products, you can send invitations and join groups based on gameplay interests. Friends and other gamers who are your subscribers can show their thoughts or news in a feed that is available for viewing.
APK Pure - Better than Google Play
APK Pure is also a platform with free (for the most part) programs, which are nevertheless available on Google Play. You can download and install apps that are region-locked and support multiple languages, something you can't find in Google's store anymore. So this is quite an interesting place to explore. Did you know that there are alternative stores on Android? Write about it in our Telegram chat.
Visit: APK Pure
Solving common problems with the Google Play Store
Google Services Framework
is an essential service that provides the Play Store with the ability to interact with installed applications on your phone, allowing them to be updated automatically. If this functionality stops working, then the reason is most likely with the service, and you need to clear the cache of the Google Play application store and services:
- Open “Settings” -> “Application Manager”
- Find Google Play Store in the list, and then clear its cache
- Do the same with Google Play Services
Did you manage to install the Google application store on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone? If you have any questions, then leave a comment and we will definitely help you. It is also worth noting that these instructions are suitable for any other Android gadgets, regardless of the brand.
Also subscribe to our VKontakte, Facebook or Twitter pages to be the first to know news from the world of Samsung and Android.
Yalp - Download archives
Yalp is a unique platform that allows you to download applications in the form of APK files directly from the Google Play Store. What then is its essence? The good news is that you can do this without having to have a Google account. There is a convenient and intuitive interface with categories, roasts, and so on. In addition, updates appear here quite promptly.
Visit: Yalp
Download and install using BlueStacks
So, if you decide to download Google Play, follow these steps:
BlueStacks
On PC
- Download BlueStacks from the link above.
- Run the program and wait for the final installation stage.
- During the process, you should agree to the terms.
- Open the emulator using the shortcut.
- Log in to your Google Play account. If it is not there, use the registration instructions below.
- Go to the system folder.
- There you will find that Google Play is already installed, since the program is required for the Android OS.
- You can click on the shortcut and go to the virtual store.
Now you know how to implement the process and start using the content. True, you shouldn’t rush, because after installation you may encounter an unpleasant problem - registration.
APKUpdater - Update aggregator
APKUpdater is not exactly an app store, but more of a tool that helps you find updates for your installed programs. You can install updates to existing apps without opening the Google Store. The application is useful for those who want to use Android without the Google store. APKUpdater can get the latest updated version from not one but several sources at once, including APK Mirror, APKPure and Aptoide, thereby ensuring that you have the latest version in the fastest way.
Visit: APKUpdater
Main reasons (why the Play Market does not open?)
Now let’s pay attention to the basic reasons why an online store fails:
- a technical malfunction of the site, which occurs infrequently, but can interrupt people’s plans to search for specific applications;
- “Interference” in the way the date and time is displayed on the phone leads to problems with the network connection;
- sometimes it makes sense to check your router if you use landline Internet via wireless technology. For those who use a connection from a cellular operator, there is an option to call the hotline;
- “unscrupulous” utilities also lead to the fact that the Play Market does not work on Android. They change the contents of the "hosts" file (the extension is missing). Initially, the document should contain exclusively system comments and a line like “127.0.0.1 localhost”;
- Check your Google account login. If necessary, provide registration information and log into your account;
- If you belong to the category of users working with Freedom, it is not surprising that you encountered an error when launching the Play Store. The specified program conflicts with Google information content, preventing the latter from working normally.
How to clone an application on a Samsung phone
AppBrain
If you are looking for free premium apps, App Brain is your destination. Paid app developers make their apps free on this site for a limited time, and in turn, AppBrain publishes them for them. AppBrain offers both an app and a website for users to access their catalog.
Download the app from here.
The AppBrain application is designed keeping in mind the fact that the user should have complete control over what the application does. That's why, after installation, you are asked if you want the app brain to monitor your installed apps and suggest updates. AppBrain works a little differently, although if you try to install an app using the AppBrain app, it will redirect you to Google Play. To download apps from AppBrain, you need to register.
Once we get your queries answered, we'll be greeted with a familiar user interface where you can search for apps, filter them by category, etc. Once you find an app you want to try, click the download button.
Let's see how Google Play has changed
Previously, I already published an article where I looked in detail at what Google Play was like and how it has changed. In this material, I will try to share, rather, my feelings about the store and how they changed with updates. I've always praised Apple for offering a great app store to its users, but it's worth noting that Android and Google have been doing a good job of convincing users of the quality of the app store lately. It’s worth starting with what the American giant’s store looked like at its inception. And, to tell the truth, it looked terrible - then it was called Play Market. Although at that time, of course, nothing better could have been expected. Google Play was irrelevant for a very long time compared to the App Store, and everything changed only at the end of 2019, when the company decided to radically change the structure of the entire store.
What was Google Play like and how good is it today?
I still remember how in 2020, or rather early last year, I wrote quite a few posts on the topic of how annoying Google Play is to use. And the surprising thing is that to most he seemed normal, although in reality this was not the case. Compared to the already updated App Store, Google Play, at least for me, looked simply ridiculous. It had problems with the quality of the icons; they were blurry. And this was noticeable to the naked eye on a smartphone with a FullHD display.
Google Play before the latest update
In addition, I fundamentally did not like the structure of Google Play at that time due to the fact that applications and games were located together on the main screen. This made it difficult to search only for applications. Google Play tried to give me games even though I don't play. At that time, the App Store had already been updated (2017) and began to offer its users a division into tabs with games and applications, and such a division certainly seemed logical and understandable. In addition, the App Store offered a main screen on which various articles were located, and by the way, they are still published, and this is one of the points that I am currently not happy with in Google Play, and I also wrote about this recently.
This is what the store looked like in 2014:
Google Play app store in 2014
And this is what Google Play looked like even earlier - in 2012:
Google Play in 2012
Google Play received a major update on October 17, 2020, then the structure of the main screen noticeably changed, but you can notice that even in those days, applications and games were located in a common tab, which was not entirely convenient.
Google Play in 2020
It would be nice if Google, similar to the App Store, published unique daily articles with a selection of the best applications. But, in my opinion, the most important thing that the company has done is the division into applications and games. Now I can easily view only the applications, without being interrupted by various games that are of little interest to me. The only thing that still seems a little inconvenient to me is that the main page also includes subsections in the form of additional tabs. An inexperienced user may get confused by so many different tabs and sections, in addition, the main screen of each section has very long subcategories, and you have to scroll down for a very long time until you reach the end of the page.
Clearing the application cache
When the previous step is completed, but the Play Market on Android still does not work, erase the cache. Quite often, the configuration of interaction between a service and a mobile device is configured “crookedly”. Simple manipulations with the menu will help:
- close running utilities;
- go to the device settings;
- look for “Application Manager”;
- click on the Google Play icon in the list of programs installed on the device;
- Tap on the “Clear cache” button (old versions of Android contain the phrase “Erase data”).
To ensure a guaranteed result, we also recommend rebooting the phone so that the user’s adjustments take effect.
How to fix the problem
Let's go over the troubleshooting methods, and then take a closer look at each point:
- just try restarting the phone - it works half the time. A similar solution is suitable for other utilities if you want to quickly figure out incorrect operation;
- Make sure the Google Accounts app is activated. The procedure is carried out quickly and without unnecessary fuss;
- Play Market not working on Android? Return to the standard configuration of Google products. You will have to open the settings section, which contains management of downloaded and installed software;
- re-install the online store on your cellular gadget by downloading the latest version;
- check the time and date that are broadcast on the smartphone screen - sometimes the corresponding settings are lost and an error appears regarding the lack of connection to the Internet.
