Alex Ruben
How To Update the Google Play Store App on Your Google TV Streamer 4K
Keeping your Google Play Store up to date is kinda crucial if you want smooth app installations, better security, and compatibility. You’d be surprised how often an outdated store causes download hiccups or crashes on devices like the Google TV Streamer 4K, Chromecast with Google TV, or other Android TVs. This quick guide focuses on the easiest way—doing it through the device itself—and what to do if that doesn’t work. Because of course, sometimes Google just refuses to make it simple.
How to Fix Google Play Store Updates on Google TV
Accessing Settings on Your Google TV
First, get into the Settings menu. You can usually do this by hitting the Home button on the remote, then scrolling over to the gear icon labeled Settings. Alternatively, from the home screen, find the Settings icon in the top right or bottom corner and select it. Make sure you’re connected to the internet because, well, this process is pretty useless without that.
Finding the Apps Section
Once inside the Settings menu, scroll down to the Apps section. On some setups, it’s called App Management or just Applications. Here’s where the magic (or frustration) happens. You want to look for a list of installed apps, and in some cases, you might need to enable viewing system apps. Because Google loves hiding stuff behind obscure toggles.
Viewing All Apps & Showing System Apps
- Click on See all apps. (If you don’t see it immediately, you might need to select See system apps from a menu or toggle in the options.)
- Scroll all the way down until you find Show system apps. Turn it on if it’s available. This is necessary because Google Play Store is technically a system app, so it’s hidden otherwise.
Locating and Managing the Google Play Store
Now, scroll through the alphabetized list of apps — it might be extensive — until you spot Google Play Store. It might take a minute or two because it’s buried sometimes. Tap on it to open its info page. Here, you’ll see the current version number, which can help you figure out if you’re up-to-date or not.
Checking the Current Version & Uninstalling Updates
If you find the app is outdated, or just want to force it to update, select the option called Uninstall updates. Yeah, it’s weird, but that’s how you revert the store to the factory version. This can solve issues if the store is crashing or refuses to update automatically. Confirm the action. Sometimes, on some setups, that step is glitchy, and a reboot afterward helps.
Waiting for the Auto-Update & Verifying
After uninstalling, the device basically should check for updates on its own. Don’t go fiddling too much — just give it a couple of minutes. Once it’s done, revisit Google Play Store in the apps list to see if it’s finally updated to the latest version. Look for a recent version number or check the app’s info for confirmation.
Additional Tips & Troubleshooting
Worth noting: if the update doesn’t happen or if it’s stuck, try restarting your Google TV. Also, double-check your internet connection and storage space—because, of course, Google has to make things harder than necessary. On some setups, this process might need a few tries or rebooting in between. If all else fails, you might need to sideload an APK, but that’s riskier and not recommended unless you’re comfortable with that.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If updates aren’t trickling through, make sure your device isn’t low on storage or stuck in a weird state. Sometimes, clearing the cache of the Google Play Store in the app info menu or doing a quick reset to factory settings (as a last resort) helps. Also, verify that your device isn’t set to a country or language region that blocks updates.
Conclusion
Getting your Google Play Store on Google TV to update isn’t always straightforward, but uninstalling updates and then letting the device handle the rest often does the trick. Keep an eye on your version number, and don’t forget to verify your internet and storage. If some glitch appears, a quick reboot might do wonders. Because honestly, the system isn’t exactly built for transparency here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the update still won’t appear after uninstalling?
Double-check your connection first. Sometimes a restart, disconnect/reconnect of Wi-Fi, or clearing the Play Store cache (via Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear Cache) helps kick-start the process.
Can I manually download the Google Play Store APK?
Technically, yes, but it’s a gamble. Sideloading APKs can break things or cause security issues. Usually, it’s safer to let the device do the work automatically or check for system updates that include the store.
Does uninstalling updates delete my apps?
Nope. It only resets the Google Play Store to factory version. Your installed apps stay intact, but the store itself may revert to an older version temporarily.