Google app not working on Android? Here’s what to do

It’s hard to imagine any Android device without the Google app and all things coming with it, including ever-expanding Assistant, Podcasts, Feed, and more. However, due to frequent updates and changes, the app itself is often riddled with bugs. Now, this might depend on the OS version and other factors, but many users reported that the Google app is not working on Android.

Not to worry, we got your back. Check the steps below and resolve the problem in no time.

Table of contents:

1. Clear cache and data from the Google app
2. Uninstall updates and update the app
3. Leave the Google Beta program
4. Reset Google Play Services
5. Check the permissions
6. Sign out of your Google Account and sign in again
7. Install an older version via an APK

Google app not working on Android? Here’s a fix

There are various reasons why Google App won’t work on Android. Starting with cache corruption and a temporary bug, leading to Google Play Services issues.

Have in mind that the steps we listed below apply only to stock ROMs. It’s not unusual for Gapps (Google Apps in Android OS) to fail on custom ROMs. If that’s the case, we suggest reinstalling (flashing) Gapps.

Solution 1 – Clear cache and data from the Google app

Let us start troubleshooting by clearing the cache and data from the Google app. There might be corruption at hand and, considering Google piles up a lot of data locally, it’s not unusual for the app to execute as intended.

Follow these instructions to clear cache and data from the Google app on Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Apps.
3. Then, open App manager, Manage apps, or All apps (it depends on the phone’s OEM).
4. Now, locate and open Google from the list of apps.
5. Tap Storage.
6. Finally, clear the cache and then tap Manage space,, and clear all data.

Solution 2 – Uninstall updates and update the app

If the previous step failed to address the problem and the Google app is still not working on your Android device, let’s try the reinstallation. Now, since the Google app is pre-installed on every device (sorry, Huawei), as an integral part of the OS, it can’t be uninstalled.

What you can do is reset it, remove all updates,, and update it again. That usually deals with all the hiccups users regularly run into.

Here’s how to reset (reinstall) the Google app on Android:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Search for and expand Google.
3. Uninstall Google (this will uninstall updates since the Google app is a system app).
4. Reboot your device and update the app.

Solution 3 – Leave the Google Beta program

If you like to be an early adopter of the latest additions to the Google app (this includes Google Assistant and Google Feed), you are probably enrolled in the Beta program. And, truth be told, Beta releases are usually as stable as public updates.

However, to tackle this problem from all sides, try leaving the Beta program. Follow these steps to leave the Beta program for the Google app:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Search for Google.
3. Scroll down and, under the You’re a beta tester section, tap Leave.
4. Wait until you are excluded from the Beta program and update the app.

Solution 4 – Reset Google Play Services

One more thing worth inspecting that’s related to the Google app is Google Play Services. This system component provides core functionality and it’s essential for the stable work of all Google services on an Android handset.

Therefore, you can try and clear the cache from the Google Play Services app, as well. This might help address issues with the Google app.

Here’s how to reset Google Play Services:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Apps.
3. Then, open App manager, Manage apps, or All apps (it depends on the phone’s OEM).
4. Once there, tap on the 3-dot menu and enable all system processes. This will add hidden system apps and services to the App list.
5. Now, locate the Google Play Services entry and open it.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Finally, clear cache and data.
8. Reboot your device.

Solution 5 – Check the permissions

Additionally, despite Google apps usually taking all necessary permissions from the get-go, it’s suggested to check permissions for the app. We suggest inspecting permissions and granting them all, just for the sake of troubleshooting. You can disable certain permissions later.

Follow these instructions to check permissions for the Google app:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Apps.
3. Select All apps (App manager or Manage apps).
4. Open Google again.
5. Tap App permissions.
6. Make sure that all permissions are granted.

Solution 6 – Sign out of your Google Account and sign in again

Another thing you can try is signing out of your Google account assigned to your device and signing in again. This is a long-shot solution but it might help. It did help some users with similar issues so it’s worth a try.

Here’s how to sign out of your Google Account on Android and sign in again:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Accounts.
3. Select Google.
4. Tap More and remove the Google account.
5. Reboot your device and sign in again.
6. Try using the Google app again.

Solution 7 – Install an older version via an APK

Finally, you can try and downgrade the Google app with an APK downloaded from a third-party website and sideloaded on your device. Have in mind that Google might insist on updating the app, so you should also navigate to the Google app in the Play Store and disable Auto-updates.

Here’s how and where to get an older version of the Google app:

1. Uninstall Google app updates as explained above.
2. Navigate to APK Mirror or any other APK hub online.
3. Download an older APK version but not older than two months.
4. Grant permission to install apps from untrusted sources.
5. Install the APK and give it a go.

With that said, we can conclude this article. Thank you for reading and don’t forget to tell us if the instructions we presented helped you resolve the problem. You can do so in the comments section below.

Editor’s note: This article was initially published in April 2021. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.