How Do You Reinstall Google Play Services?

To update Google Play Services on your Android device, head to the "Apps & Notifications" menu in your settings.
Google Play Services let your Android apps connect to the internet and communicate with Google.
Updating Google Play Services can fix app issues, and help your Android device run faster.
If updating Google Play Services doesn't help, you can also clear its cache and data.
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Google Play Services are an essential part of the Android operating system. They allow many apps, including third-party apps and games, to exchange information with Google. This can include getting directions from Google Maps, making a Google search, signing into your Google account, and more.

Google Play Services usually stay up-to-date automatically. But if you're experiencing a problem with your phone and suspect Google Play Services might be to blame, or a troubleshooting checklist recommends that you update Google Play Services, here's how to do that.

How to update Google Play Services on Android

1. Start the Settings app on your Android phone.

2. Tap "Apps & Notifications." If your Android device doesn't have this option, tap "Apps."

Start your update by finding Google Play Services in the Apps or Apps & Notifications settings.

3. Tap "See all apps" if you have that option. Otherwise, you should already see a list of all your apps.

4. Tap "Google Play services."

5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap "Advanced," then "App details." If you don't see that, just choose "App details in store."

By tapping the link for app details, you'll be automatically sent to the Google Play Store entry for Google Play Services.

6. In the Google Play Store, if you see "Install" at the top of the screen, tap that. If there's an update available, tap "Update" instead. If all you see is "Deactivate," then your Google Play services are already up to date.

Install the update if there's one available.

How to troubleshoot Google Play Services

If you continue to have trouble with Google Play Services, you should clear its cache and data. You can clear the cache without risk, but if you clear the data, you'll need to log into your Google account again, so be sure you have your username and password handy.

1. Start the Settings app on your Android phone.

2. Tap "Apps & Notifications," or "Apps" if that's your only option.

3. Tap "See all apps" if you have that option. Otherwise, you should already see a list of all your apps.

4. Tap "Google Play services."

5. Tap "Storage."

6. To clear the cache, tap "Clear cache."

7. To clear the data, tap either "Clear Storage" or "Manage Storage," and then tap "Clear All Data."

Clear the cache and data to resolve problems with Google Play Services.

Michelle Greenlee contributed to an earlier version of this article.

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Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.