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Since a short time ago, I cannot update / install apps.

E.g., if I try updating a given app, it is downloaded and shown as installing.

But as soon as the installation finishes, it shows again as available for updating, and I keep having in my phone the same "old" version.

What can be the cause, and solution for this? (I mean not to factory reset my phone...)

Could it be related to some setting in Settings -> Apps -> Special Access -> Apps that can change system settings ?

Using Samsung J7 Prime, Android 8.1.0

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    These kind of bugs are usually because of old play store service. Try updating those first. – Supars Feb 13 '19 at 10:14
  • Comment above and answer posted are both valid. In addition, clear the data of Play Store if these don't work (you will have to set up again) – beeshyams Feb 14 '19 at 8:41
  • @Supars - What is the procedure for "updating old play store service"? – sancho.s ReinstateMonicaCellio Feb 15 '19 at 9:47
  • @beeshyams - What is the procedure for "updating old play store service"? – sancho.s ReinstateMonicaCellio Feb 15 '19 at 9:47
  • Follow steps in answer and you should be able to update or simply search for "Google Play Services" in your chrome browser and the app will show up . click on that and if it shows updates available, update it – beeshyams Feb 15 '19 at 10:36
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Here is a detail step by step that will hopefully keep you from doing a factory reset. There's a couple things to touch on before beginning. Placing your phone in airplane mode will ensure updates don't start until you finish the entire process. If you are rooted disable all applications that require root (Task & Scripting Apps, Firewalls, Adblockers, etc) Also anything of that nature for non-root, any 'run at boot' type App. Feed Readers, Podcast Apps, basically anything that wants to sync on reboots and/or connection changes.

  • First be sure that you have plenty of storage to proceed. More than 1 Gb at least should be free on your internal memory

  • Also be sure your SDcard is working correctly.

  • Eject & remove your SDcard, then re-insert it.
  • Reboot before starting this procedure, we're trying to get everything in the freshest state possible.

1) Turn Off & Reset Networking

 1. Turn ON airplane mode.
 2. Open the Settings App.
 3. Under the "Wireless & Networks" header tap More > Reset Network Settings. 
 (Samsung: Settings > Connections > More Connection Settings > Reset Network Settings.)

2) Remove Google Account

This will remove Information linked to your account until you re-add your account Make sure you backup important information before this step

 1. Open the Settings App.
 2. Under the "Personal" header tap Accounts. (No header on Samsung)
 3. Tap Google > Select the account you're using with Google Play
 4. Tap More > Remove Account.

3) Clear Cache & Data from Download Manager

 1. Open the Settings App.
 2. Under the "Device" header tap Apps. (No header on Samsung)
 3. Scroll to and tap Download Manager.
 4. Tap Force Stop.
 5. Then tap Storage.
 6. Tap Clear Cache.
 7. Then tap Clear Data.

4) Clear Cache & Data from Google Play Services 

 1. Open the Settings App.
 2. Under the "Device" header tap Apps. (No header on Samsung)
 3. Scroll to and tap Google Play Services.
 4. Tap Force Stop.
 5. Then tap Storage.
 6. Tap Clear Cache.
 7. Then tap Clear Data. 
 8. (if available) Tap Uninstall to uninstall system updates.

5) Clear Cache & Data from Google Play Store

 1. Open the Settings App.
 2. Under the "Device" header tap Apps. (No header on Samsung)
 3. Scroll to and tap Google Play Store.
 4. Tap Force Stop.
 5. Then tap Storage.
 6. Tap Clear Cache.
 7. Then tap Clear Data.
 8. Tap Uninstall to uninstall system updates. 
 9. Repeat these step for all other existing Google apps. **Backup your data**

6) Things to check in the Setting App before rebooting Use the Search in the Settings App, some of these may not be found in every Android version.

 - Reset App Preferences in the Apps settings menu.
 - Reset Permissions in Privacy Guard and set it to OFF.
 - System Profiles are set to OFF. 
 - Developer Options are set to OFF.
 - Under the "System" header tap Accessibility, Switch all to OFF.

7) Reboot, Connect & Sign-In

 1. Power on / Reboot your Device.
 2. Open Settings > Display > Screen Timeout. Set it to Never.
 3. Plug your device into a power source.
 4. Allow a couple minutes to pass then turn OFF airplane mode.
 5. Turn Data off.
 6. Open Google Play.
 7. Choose your network.
 8. Sign into your Google Account.
 9. Tap the Home button.
10. Set your device down for 10-15 minutes and let Google process updates, sync, etc.
11. Reboot and access Google Play as you normally would.

All information can be found in the Play Store Help: extra steps to fix Google Play Issues

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    +1 for a detailed answer. – beeshyams Feb 16 '19 at 5:34
  • The answer is long, but it has some pieces of misinformation: 1) "More than 1 Gb at least should be free on your internal memory". The lower limit I found needed to install apps is 500Mb available space. 2) The options should be listed in order of "severity". Removing the Google Account should certainly be listed after clearing Caches. – sancho.s ReinstateMonicaCellio May 4 '19 at 10:41
  • the steps described are the order listed on Google's site. see support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7512202 – Axios May 4 '19 at 14:33
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Please clear your cache and then try updating the apps. More specifically you will have clear the Play Store app cache. Go to Settings, Apps, Google Play Store app, and click on storage. There you should have a option to clear the cache. Do let us know if that helps.

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Taken from:

Play Store won’t open, load, or download apps

  • Open your device's Settings > app Settings.
  • Tap Apps & notifications and then See all apps.
  • Scroll down and tap Google Play Store.
  • Tap Storage and then Clear Cache.
  • Next, tap Clear data.

Re-open the Play Store & try your download again.

Restart your device once.

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