What is the google play services app on android

Overview of Google Play services

Google Play services powers a broad set of SDKs on Android to help you build your app, enhance privacy and security, engage users, and grow your business. These SDKs are unique in that they only require a thin client library to be included in your app, as shown in figure 1. At runtime, the client library communicates with the bulk of the SDK’s implementation and footprint in Google Play services.

By providing shared, client-side implementations, Google Play services:

• Helps to optimize on-device resources, such as storage and memory, to improve app quality and your users’ overall experience.
• Receives automatic updates—independent of OS, OEM, or app updates—so your users receive improvements and bug fixes more quickly.
• Powers SDKs that are backward compatible to Android 4.4 (API level 19) and are available on a variety of form factors, enabling you to reach more users with less effort.

Figure 1. Google Play services receives regular updates that contain improvements and bug fixes.

How Google Play services works

Each SDK powered by Google Play services provides a lightweight client library that contains the necessary APIs to interact with its respective service. Other APIs allow you to resolve any issues at runtime, such as missing, disabled, or out-of-date services. If you are using Android Studio 3.4 or higher and enable code shrinking, the R8 optimizer can help further reduce the footprint of each SDK and its impact on your app’s package size.

To access new Google Play services features or products, upgrade the SDK when a new version is released to the Google Maven repository.

Services

Google Play services contains on-device Google services that run in the background on every Google-certified Android device.

Automatic updates to Google Play services are delivered independent of carrier, OS, or OEM system image updates. In general, devices running Android 4.4 or higher receive updates automatically, provided that these devices have Google Play services installed and sufficient storage available. This means that users receive improvements and bug fixes more quickly, and you can take advantage of the latest APIs while reaching most devices in the Android ecosystem. Devices older than Android 4.4, or devices without Google Play services installed, aren’t supported.

Next steps: set up your app

To begin using Google Play services APIs in your app, read this setup guide.

Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License. For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies. Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

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Google Play Services — Everything you need to know

What is Google Play Services

Google Play Services is a layer of software that connects your apps, Google services, and Android together. It runs in the background of your Android device at all times and manages things like your push notifications, whenever an app wants your location, and other day-to-day stuff like that. Google implemented this service as a catch-all of sorts so every app developer can use the same tools as all the other developers. It’s also part of the Google Mobile Services, or GMS.

It also hides sensitive information from apps and manages basically every other background task for the sake of battery efficiency. Basically, it just lets apps from the Google Play Store connect to Google APIs and it helps do a lot of background stuff. It’s important because you can’t just have the Google Play Store on your Android device. You also need Google Play Services to manage them. It’s a packaged deal.

Thus, it is extremely important to not only have it, but also keep it up to date.

How to update Google Play Services

In most cases, it should update on its own in the background. It’s an app in the Google Play Store and you can even view it by clicking here. Thus, it should updates whenever the Play Store updates your other apps.

The fast way

• On your phone, click this link to go to the Play Store.
• Tap the Update button on the Google Play Services page.
• This method may not work on every smartphone.

The official way

• Go to your phone’s Settings menu and tap on the Apps & notifications setting. On some devices, it may just be Apps.
• Scroll down and tap Google Play services and then tap on App Details.
• You should be able to update the app from there by hitting the Update button.
• Please note, this doesn’t work on all devices. If you don’t see an update button, try the fast method above.

There are some rare cases where the app needs an update but it’s not showing up in the Play Store for some reason. Google recommends you do the following and then try updating again.

Clear cache and data

• Go to your phone’s Settings menu and tap on the Apps & notifications setting. Again, this may be just Apps on some devices.
• Scroll down and tap Google Play services. You should see the options to clear data and cache there. Do so.
• Repeat the process for the Google Play Store as well.
• Here is a larger tutorial if you need assistance with clearing cache and data.

After that, you should see the update. If not, then give it a day or two in case the update hasn’t rolled out to you yet. Google often releases updates in roll outs so everyone doesn’t get it at once.

Download the Google Play Services APK

We really don’t recommend installing Google Play Services this way for a variety of reasons. However, the tech savvy who know what they’re doing may want to perform an update or installation manually and there are ways to do it.

Download and install the APK yourself

• There is only one really good website for downloading Google Play Services APKs and it’s APKMirror. Click here to see their Play Services APKs.
• Find the one you need and click on it, then scroll the list and find the version you need and click on that. There should be a red download button to actually download the APK.
• Follow these instructions to install a third party APK without the Google Play Store.

Again, we strongly recommend updating through the Google Play Store and not using this method unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Downloading and installing the wrong APK can cause all sorts of issues and different devices can sometimes have different versions of Google Play Services. Please do research before attempting this or just let the app on its own.

How to disable Play Services

This one is a bit tricky because Play Services can’t be disabled on every smartphone. Sometimes the option is grayed out and you can’t do it. Ironically, I was unable to disable the app on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, but I could on my Pixel 3a running the Android 11 developer preview. In any case, here’s how you do it.

Disable Google Play Services

• Navigate to Settings, then to Apps & notifications. Scroll down and click on Google Play services.
• The Disable and Force Close options should be at the top. If the option isn’t grayed out, simply tap Disable and follow the prompts. Keep in mind this may break a significant portion of the functionality of your device.

If the option is grayed out, here is how you can at least limit Google Play Services to help prevent battery drain.

Limit Google Play Services

• Go to Settings, and navigate to Apps & notifications. Scroll down and click on Google Play services.
• Tap the Permissions option.
• Select the permissions you don’t want Play Services to have and select the Deny option.

By removing permissions, you prevent Google Play Services from performing a lot of tasks in the background.

Fix common issues

The app can cause a lot of issues, particularly after software updates and when it needs an update itself. There are a bunch of potential issues, but thankfully only a few possible solutions and they’re all pretty easy to do. If Google Play Services is causing trouble, here are the best and most effective troubleshooting methods.

Steps to try first

• Reboot your phone. Sometimes Google Play Services hiccups a bit after things like software updates and a quick reboot starts the system fresh. This can eliminate a lot of problems.
• Use the tutorial above to make sure it is up to date in the Google Play Store. An older version of the app may not play nice with something else on your phone.

If those steps don’t work:

• Go into Settings, then Apps & notifications, and scroll down to Google Play services.
• Navigate to the proper spots and delete the cache and data.
• Repeat this process for the Google Play Store as well.
• Reboot your phone. Check again for a Play Services update.

A third potential method of fixing the problem

• Go into Settings, then Apps & notifications, and scroll down to Google Play services.
• Check the version number you have.
• Use the tutorial above to download the same version of Google Play Services from a third party source.
• Follow these instructions to install the APK. Sometimes this fixes a bad install of the app or a bad update.

If all else fails

• Factory reset your device. There is some sort of issue between an app, your phone’s OS, and Play Services. It is much easier, faster, and more efficient to factory reset the device and start fresh.
• Keep an eye out for issues as you re-install your apps to make sure the issue doesn’t happen again or, if it does, you at least know what caused it.

Play Services issues aren’t nearly as common as they used to be. However, generally speaking, the cause is usually an issue between your phone’s OS and the version of Play Services you have or an issue between Play Services and an app you installed.

Google Play Services is one of the most important parts of the Google Android experience. It links everything together and doesn’t require OS updates to improve. However, an app that strong is often difficult to understand and it can cause the occasional problem. If there is anything else you want to know about Google Play Services, ask us in the comments and we’ll do our best to add it to the article!

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What Is Google Play Services? Why Do You Need It?

Y ou must have seen Google Play Services on your Android device. This app has been sitting on our Android devices since the days of Android KitKat. But it doesn’t show up in the app drawer.

You might have thought, “What is the use of Google Play services,” or “What happens if I uninstall Google Play Services?” This app does serve a great purpose on our Android devices and is a crucial app for many other apps to function properly.

What is Google Play Services?

In simple terms, Google Play Services is a background service that runs on Android, which in turn helps in integrating Google’s advanced functionalities with other applications. It is also used to update Google apps. Google’s fragmentation issue is tackled using Google Play Services. It ensures that even older versions of Android enjoy the latest features provided by Google.

Google Play Services is essentially an Application programming interface (API) for developers to enhance communication between apps. It is a bundle of a bunch of other services that aid a user. Some of these are described below:

Services and APIs

• Google Maps API: This API allows other applications to access Google Maps without leaving the app. If you have used an app to book a cab or navigate to a booked hotel, then you must have used this service.
• Location APIs: Location API can be used to perform automatic actions when a user enters or leaves a specific geographic boundary. Fused Location provider means to reduce power usage while using location services.
• Google Drive API: If you have Google Drive installed on your device, sharing and storing files from other apps is made easier with this API.
• Google Play Game Services: These services are used to create a more competitive and immersive experience in multiplayer gaming sessions through leaderboards and achievements. Moreover, Saved Games API ensures that you do not lose your progress in a game by syncing and saving your game data.
• Google+ platform: You must have come across apps that provide you with “Sign-in with Google+” login option. This service allows you to use a single username and password to access multiple accounts on multiple apps.
• Google Cast Android API: It allows Android applications to cast content on-screen to other devices via Google Cast.
• Google Mobile Ads: Google Mobile Ads is used to integrate advertisements into applications and display intelligent ads such as those based on location or browsing history. This is how thousands of app developers monetize their app.

A few other such services that enhance user experience are:

• Google Wallet
• Google Play Protect
• Google Fit API
• Google account authentication methods

Also read: 8 Useful “Google Play Store Tricks” And Features For Every Android User

Why does Google Play Services need so many permissions?

If you view the App permissions for Google Play Services, you will see that it asks for a lot of permissions to access body sensors, calendar, camera, contacts, microphone, phone, SMS, and storage. It needs so many permissions because Play Services acts as a hub where other apps rely upon for security services provided by Google.

Google Play Services have system-level access to provide multiple internal features and hides sensitive information from other apps. Also, almost all Google apps use Google Play Services.

Is Google Play Services necessary?

Many apps rely on Google Play Services to access Google APIs for added functionalities. As most apps from Play Store rely on these services, disabling or uninstalling Google Play Services might cause those apps to break down. Also, Google Apps would not work.

How to uninstall Google Play Services?

Now, you are probably thinking about removing it from your phone. Then let me tell you that Google has doesn’t let you do so at all, considering the crucial nature of the app.

However, if you want, you can disable Google Play Services just like you disable other apps.

You can take the road of rooting of Android rooting if you desperately want the app out of your phone. Or you might want to switch to a Google-free device instead.

Is it safe to clear data from Google Play Services?

Although you can clear data and cache from Google Play Services, we do not recommend it because those data are crucial to the functioning of apps. Moreover, this data will just be automatically generated after being cleared.

However, there are instances when you may have to do so. A common problem is when users face the recurring message “Google Play Services has stopped working.” Restarting your device or clearing data and cache from Google Play Services can solve this problem.

How do I clear Google Play Services data?

You can follow these simple steps to clear data and cache from Google Play Services:

• Go to Settings >Apps >Google Play Services.

• Tap on Storage

• Tap on Manage Space

• Select Clear All Data.

• Tap OK on the pop-up.

Conclusion – Do I need Google Play Services?

Yes. Because the app or API, whatever you call it, is required for the smooth functioning of your Android device. Although it does not have a user interface, we have seen that Google Play Services will enhance your overall Android experience.

Also, it assists in speeding up offline searches and provides maps and location access to other apps. Moreover, it improves gaming experiences by allowing you to retain your progress and achievements even if you play on a different device with your account.

Did this article help you to understand what is Google Play Services and why you need it? Share your reviews in the comments below.

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