Play Store or App Store will not download or update apps

Stuck downloads come from four things: no space, a weak or restricted connection, a queue of other updates, or the store app needing a reset.

What you seeDownload pending / Waiting for download / Can't install app / Unable to download app at this time

Checks for both kinds of phone

1. Storage. An app needs free space of two to three times its download size while installing. See storage full.
2. Connection. Open a website to test. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Turn off a VPN.
3. Restart the phone.
4. Date and time set to automatic. A wrong date breaks the secure connection to the store.
5. System update. An old system version may be refused by the app: its store page lists the minimum.
6. Wait your turn. "Pending" often means other apps are updating first.

Android: Google Play Store

"Pending" or stuck at a percentage

1. Play Store › your picture › Manage apps and device › under "Updates available" or "Downloading", tap the X beside the other apps to cancel the queue, then start your download again.
2. Check the download preference: Play Store › your picture › Settings › Network preferences › App download preference. If it says "Over Wi-Fi only" and you are on mobile data, downloads wait. Choose "Over any network" or connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Turn off Data Saver (Settings › Network & internet › Data Saver) and Battery Saver for the moment; both hold back background downloads.

Still stuck: reset the store app

1. Settings › Apps › See all apps › Google Play Store › Force stop.
2. Storage & cache › Clear cache, then Clear storage. This does not remove your apps or account.
3. Do the same for Google Play services (Clear cache; under Manage space, Clear all data) and Download Manager (shown with three dots › Show system).
4. Restart and open the Play Store.

If that fails

• Settings › Apps › Google Play Store › three dots › Uninstall updates. The store updates itself again shortly.
• Remove and re-add the Google account: Settings › Passwords & accounts › your Google account › Remove account, restart, then Add account. Make sure you know the password first.
• Check that the app is enabled: Settings › Apps › Google Play Store should offer "Disable", not "Enable". Do the same for Download Manager.
• "Your device isn't compatible with this version": the app does not support your phone or region. Nothing on the phone fixes that.
• An SD card set as storage that has failed can block installs; remove the card and try.

iPhone: App Store

Waiting, or a dimmed icon that never fills

1. Press and hold the app icon and choose Prioritise Download, or Pause Download then Resume Download. If that fails, Cancel Download and get the app again from the App Store.
2. App Store › your picture, pull down to refresh the updates list.
3. Mobile data limit: Settings › App Store › App Downloads. "Ask If Over 200 MB" stops large apps on mobile data; choose Always Allow or use Wi-Fi.
4. Sign out and in: Settings › your name › Media & Purchases › Sign Out, restart, sign in again.

"Verification Required" or payment messages

Even free apps will not download if the payment method on the Apple Account has a problem or an earlier purchase is unpaid. Settings › your name › Payment & Shipping: update the method or clear the unpaid item. An account can also be set up with no payment method.

Restrictions

Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions › iTunes & App Store Purchases: "Installing Apps" must be set to Allow. On a child's or office phone this is controlled by the parent or organisation.

Still stuck

• Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset › Reset Network Settings (forgets Wi-Fi passwords).
• Update iOS: Settings › General › Software Update.

Both: when it is not your phone

App stores have outages. If nothing downloads on any network and other people report the same, wait an hour. Apple publishes a System Status page on its website.

Stay inside the official store

When the store will not cooperate, do not turn to unofficial app files or third-party stores for the same app. They are a main source of phone malware.

For Android phones and iPhones. Written in November 2026 for Android 13 to 15 and iOS 17 and 18. Phone makers rename menus; use the search box in Settings if a name differs. Back up before any reset. This is an independent guide, not connected with Google, Apple, Samsung or any phone maker or operator.