proprietary background service and API package for Android devices from Google

Google Play Services is a proprietary software package produced by Google for installation on Android devices. It consists of background services and libraries for use by mobile apps running on the device. … Wikipedia
Ratings
4.3 / 5.0
Google Play
44.7M votes
Factsheet
Developer Google LLC
Initial release September 26, 2012; 13 years ago (2012-09-26)
Operating system Android
Factsheet
Developer Google LLC
Initial release September 26, 2012; 13 years ago (2012-09-26)
Operating system Android
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Digital Citizen
digitalcitizen.life › open-google-play-store-android
How to open Play Store on Android smartphones and tablets
October 6, 2025 - The app drawer is the fail-safe way to open any app on your Android device. On the Home screen, swipe up to access the list of apps installed on your device. Then, scroll through the list of apps until you locate the Play Store app.
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Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
Google Play services - Apps on Google Play
3 weeks ago - This component provides core functionality like authentication to your Google services, synchronized contacts, access to all the latest user privacy settings, and higher quality, lower-powered location based services. Google Play services also enhances your app experience.
Rating: 4.3 ​ - ​ 44.7M votes
Discussions

How to open the Google Play Store directly from my Android application? - Stack Overflow
Some third-party applications can use its own intent-filters with "market://" scheme defined, thus they can process supplied Uri instead of Google Play (I experienced this situation with e.g.SnapPea application). The question is "How to open the Google Play Store?", so I assume, that you do ... More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
Is there a way to open playstore within an android app? And not deeplink and background the app?
I don't think I understand what you're asking for. You want to open the Play Store app as a modal dialog? If so, I don't think that's possible. I just open Play Store like this: startActivity(Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("market://details?id=$packageName"))) More on reddit.com
🌐 r/androiddev
4
0
March 22, 2023
Pixel 4XL - Open In App opens Play Store instead of app
Happening on my 2 XL as well. I'm on the Android 11 Beta though, figured it was related. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/GooglePixel
17
4
January 14, 2020
Auto-update is on, but any time I open the Play Store it says 20+ apps need updating.
Okay, but if you scroll down when where the most recent updates done at? I just opened mine and I had 11 that needed update but there were 5-6 that were done just 9 hours ago an other 6 that were don't the day prior. I think the reason you see it this way is that new updates come out throughout the day and it does them at night but there are just so many apps that are constantly being updated whenever you check there will be new ones needing update. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/GooglePixel
144
598
March 23, 2021
People also ask

Is Google Play Store Free?
You can access the Google Play Store without expense since it provides free support to all. All users download the app without charges, and using it (search, download, update) does not cost anything. · That said, certain digital products available through it will need to be purchased. The platform offers complimentary apps together with payment-based features that you can obtain through in-app transactions.
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gizmodo.com
gizmodo.com › download › internet › google play store
Download Google Play Store (free) for Android, APK and Web App ...
Why Should I Download Google Play Store?
For any user operating an Android smartphone or tablet, the Google Play Store installation is essential. Not having it means you will never access the huge collection of trusted and regularly updated applications. · The Play Store functions as a platform that delivers content search, downloads, and maintains application security, together with update management. The security protocol of Google Play Protect performs verification before permitting an application into the system to ensure no malware or questionable behavior. You receive better protection from potentially harmful apps through this
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gizmodo.com
gizmodo.com › download › internet › google play store
Download Google Play Store (free) for Android, APK and Web App ...
What Operating Systems Are Compatible with Google Play Store?
The main purpose of the Google Play Store is to function on Android devices exclusively. All Android OS-based devices start with the app included, except for those made by companies that deploy their unique application marketplaces. It can also be accessed on Chromebooks with Android app support, providing a relatively comparable experience. · However, the app is not preinstalled on Huawei devices, even if the system is based on Android. You can download the APK for the Google Play Store, but Huawei devices lack the Google services, and the apps may not function properly or at all. The Huawei
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gizmodo.com
gizmodo.com › download › internet › google play store
Download Google Play Store (free) for Android, APK and Web App ...
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Google Support
support.google.com › googleplay › thread › 310627088 › open-play-store
open play store - Google Play Community
November 30, 2024 - Get started with Google Play · Google Play · false · Search · Clear search · Close search · Google apps · Main menu · 6157814256217877042 · true · Search Help Center · false · true · true · true · true · true · 84680 · false ·
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Google Support
support.google.com › googleplay › answer › 190860
Find the Google Play Store app - Google Play Help
Tap Google Play Store . The app will open and you can search and browse for content to download.
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Google
accounts.google.com › servicelogin
Google Play
Google Play gives you one place to find, enjoy, & share Apps, Music, Movies & Books - instantly anywhere across the web & android devices. Google Play is your entertainment hub.
Find elsewhere
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Sony UK
sony.co.uk › electronics › support › articles › 00275323
The Google Play Store app won't open, download or update | Sony UK
Go to your phone's Settings → Apps → See all apps → Google Play Store → Storage & cache → Clear storage.
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Wikihow
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › telephones › smartphones › android › android applications › how to open the play store on android: a step-by-step guide
How to Open the Play Store on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide
February 3, 2019 - Pull down from the top of your phone screen to access the search bar, then type “Play Store.” Click the app icon to pull up the store. Alternatively, open the settings on your device, click “Apps,” and scroll down until you find the ...
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Gizmodo
gizmodo.com › download › internet › google play store
Download Google Play Store (free) for Android, APK and Web App | Gizmodo
3 days ago - The Google Play Store is the official marketplace for all Android devices. From there, you can search content and download your favorite apps for your smartphone or tablet with a click of a button. Note that some apps are not free.
Top answer
1 of 16
1700

You can do this using the market:// prefix.

Java

final String appPackageName = getPackageName(); // getPackageName() from Context or Activity object
try {
    startActivity(new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("market://details?id=" + appPackageName)));
} catch (android.content.ActivityNotFoundException anfe) {
    startActivity(new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=" + appPackageName)));
}

Kotlin

try {
    startActivity(Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("market://details?id=$packageName")))
} catch (e: ActivityNotFoundException) {
    startActivity(Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=$packageName")))
}

We use a try/catch block here because an Exception will be thrown if the Play Store is not installed on the target device.

NOTE: Any app can register as capable of handling the market://details?id=<appId> URI. If you want to specifically target Google Play, the solution in Berťák's answer is a good alternative.

2 of 16
191

Many answers here suggest to use Uri.parse("market://details?id=" + appPackageName)) to open Google Play, but I think it is insufficient in fact:

Some third-party applications can use its own intent-filters with "market://" scheme defined, thus they can process supplied Uri instead of Google Play (I experienced this situation with e.g.SnapPea application). The question is "How to open the Google Play Store?", so I assume, that you do not want to open any other application. Please also note, that e.g. app rating is only relevant in GP Store app etc...

To open Google Play AND ONLY Google Play I use this method:

public static void openAppRating(Context context) {
    // you can also use BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID
    String appId = context.getPackageName();
    Intent rateIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW,
        Uri.parse("market://details?id=" + appId));
    boolean marketFound = false;

    // find all applications able to handle our rateIntent
    final List<ResolveInfo> otherApps = context.getPackageManager()
        .queryIntentActivities(rateIntent, 0);
    for (ResolveInfo otherApp: otherApps) {
        // look for Google Play application
        if (otherApp.activityInfo.applicationInfo.packageName
                .equals("com.android.vending")) {

            ActivityInfo otherAppActivity = otherApp.activityInfo;
            ComponentName componentName = new ComponentName(
                    otherAppActivity.applicationInfo.packageName,
                    otherAppActivity.name
                    );
            // make sure it does NOT open in the stack of your activity
            rateIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
            // task reparenting if needed
            rateIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_RESET_TASK_IF_NEEDED);
            // if the Google Play was already open in a search result
            //  this make sure it still go to the app page you requested
            rateIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP);
            // this make sure only the Google Play app is allowed to
            // intercept the intent
            rateIntent.setComponent(componentName);
            context.startActivity(rateIntent);
            marketFound = true;
            break;

        }
    }

    // if GP not present on device, open web browser
    if (!marketFound) {
        Intent webIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW,
            Uri.parse("https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id="+appId));
        context.startActivity(webIntent);
    }
}

The point is that when more applications beside Google Play can open our intent, app-chooser dialog is skipped and GP app is started directly.

UPDATE: Sometimes it seems that it opens GP app only, without opening the app's profile. As TrevorWiley suggested in his comment, Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP could fix the problem. (I didn't test it myself yet...)

See this answer for understanding what Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_RESET_TASK_IF_NEEDED does.

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Google
google.com › chromebook › frequently-asked-questions
Questions about Chromebooks - Google Chromebooks
Yes, because Chromebooks give you access to your favorite PC, console and mobile games. You can play high quality games like Monster Hunter Wilds, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and more on GeForce NOW. You can also find mobile games like Roblox, Minecraft, and more on the Play Store.
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Neowin
neowin.net › news › google play store will soon auto-open apps after installation
Google Play Store will soon auto-open apps after installation - Neowin
September 2, 2024 - Folks at Android Authority first ... it out. The feature brings a new "Turn on Auto-open" toggle under the "Open" button on the app's Play Store listing after you have selected "Install."...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlepixel › pixel 4xl - open in app opens play store instead of app
r/GooglePixel on Reddit: Pixel 4XL - Open In App opens Play Store instead of app
January 14, 2020 -

This has happened with Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook. When using Google, Chrome, and even Facebook's built in web browser, the "Open In App" button will open the Google Play Store for that app instead of the actual app.

I remember this happening before but it fixed itself. This is happening again, seems to be related to the latest update that was applied in the last few days.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

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Google
google.play › howplayworks
How Google Play Works
Android is an operating system used by over 24,000 different device models. Developers can always distribute their apps to users a number of ways outside of Google Play. Users can install apps and games from multiple app stores and most Android devices ship with two or more app stores preloaded.
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Google_Play
Google Play - Wikipedia
2 weeks ago - It serves as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android operating system and its derivatives, as well as ChromeOS, allowing users to browse and download applications developed with the Android software development kit and published through Google. Google Play has also served as a digital media store, with it offering various media for purchase (as well as certain things available free) such as books, movies, musical singles, television programs, and video games.
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Android Developers
developer.android.com › distribute
Distribute Your Apps & Games on Google Play &nbsp;| Android Developers
Utilize Google Play to distribute your apps and games, which has the ability to reach over 2.5 billion Android devices and increase total app downloads.
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Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps
Android Apps on Google Play
2 weeks ago - Enjoy millions of the latest Android apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines & more. Anytime, anywhere, across your devices.
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Google
myactivity.google.com
Welcome to My Activity
Data helps make Google services more useful for you. Sign in to review and manage your activity, including things you’ve searched for, websites you’ve visited, and videos you’ve watched. Learn more
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Google
surveys.google.com › google-opinion-rewards
Google Opinion Rewards - It Pays to Share Your Opinion
Complete short surveys while standing in line, or waiting for a subway. Get rewarded with Google Play or PayPal credit for each one you complete. Topics include everything from opinion polls, to hotel reviews, to merchant satisfaction surveys. We’ll notify you when a survey is waiting
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Mobile Gamer
mobilegamer.biz › epic-and-google-have-struck-a-deal-to-crack-open-the-play-store-worldwide
Epic and Google have struck a deal to crack open the Play Store worldwide – Mobilegamer.biz
1 month ago - Posting on X, Tim Sweeney said: “Google has made an awesome proposal, subject to court approval, to open up Android in the US Epic v Google case and settle our disputes. It genuinely doubles down on Android’s original vision as an open platform to streamline competing store installs globally, reduce service fees for developers on Google Play, and enable third-party in-app and web payments.”