For many people, the Google Play Store is only an app store. You find an app you like, install it, and go about your business. However, the Play Store contains a number of lesser-known features and secrets that can help you enjoy Android even more.
To help you get the most out of the Google Play Store, we’ve compiled a collection of tips and tricks that will make managing apps on Android devices much easier.
1. Apps should be tested and refunded.
Did you know that paid apps in the Play Store can be returned for a refund? Google is rather forgiving in terms of what you can refund and the reasons for requesting a refund, and the process is quick and simple. All you have to do is fill out the Google Play refund form.
You have 48 hours after purchasing a premium software or game to obtain a refund. Music, movies, and books, for example, may have a longer refund period. Outside of that, you can contact the developer, who may, at their discretion, give a refund.
2. Search for apps by developer
When searching for apps in the Play Store, the pub:[developer’s name] modifier can be used to narrow down the results and only reveal apps whose developers match your search. This is useful if you enjoy a particular program and want to check what else the creators have created, or if you know who created an app but can’t remember its name.
3. Obtain access to Early Access and Beta Apps
Occasionally, you’ll hear about a new app that’s generating a lot of hype but hasn’t yet been published to the general public. If it’s accessible as a “early access” app, you might be allowed to try it out ahead of time. These can be found in the Play Store’s For you section, under Apps in development. Early access apps are notorious for being buggy, under-optimized, and prone to crashes.
Developers can also sell distinct beta versions of already-released apps on the Play Store. These beta programs often include additional features and other enhancements, but due to crashes, bugs, and other issues, they may not be ready for public release. Look for the Join the beta section on the app’s store page and press Join.
4. Only look at app reviews that are relevant to you.
Have you ever downloaded a well-reviewed program only to discover that it is incompatible with your device? Or perhaps past versions of the app were fantastic, but the most recent update incorporated some significant modifications that made the experience worse? Yes, app reviews can be deceiving at times.
Fortunately, you can filter reviews to see only the ones that are currently relevant to you. In the Play Store app, go to the app’s page, scroll down to the reviews, and tap See all reviews. Toggle the Latest version filter and then hit the Most relevant filter. This device model can also be enabled, however the older your gadget is, the less useful this option will be.
5. Install Apps that are Restricted to a Specific Region
Because the developer only has resources to support one area or because of an arrangement with publishers, an app may only be available in a specific country. Regardless, you might be able to bypass the region restriction by utilizing a VPN.
Your IP address is masked by a VPN, or virtual private network. Connecting to a VPN server in the United States, for example, makes it appear as though you are in the United States. Fortunately, there are a plethora of excellent free VPNs available for Android.
6. Avoid adding new apps to your home screen.
Isn’t it annoying when you install a new app and Android creates a shortcut to it on your home screen? If you only have one full home screen, this results in the creation of a second page, which you’ll have to delete every time.
What’s the good news? This can be turned off once and for all. Depending on your device, you’ll need to long press on a blank area of your home screen, select Home screen settings, and then toggle Add apps to Home screen off.
7. Bulk Reinstall of Owned Apps
All of the apps you’ve ever purchased and/or installed are saved in your Google account. This is useful if you’re upgrading to a new device and want to restore a large number of your apps, but finding and installing them one by one might be a nuisance.
Fortunately, there is an alternative:
- Tap your profile image in the top-right corner of the Play Store app.
- Choose Manage applications and devices from the drop-down menu.
- Toggle over to the Manage tab.
- Set the Not installed filter in the Installed filter.
- Make a list of all the apps you want to reinstall.
- At the top, tap the download icon.
8. Turn off auto-updates for specific apps
Do you ever wake up to find that an app has been updated overnight, yet the new version is noticeably worse than the previous one? This is something that certain coders are well-known for. Other programs send out updates every few days, which may be rather frustrating.
Fortunately, you can prevent auto-update for specific apps in the Play Store. In the Play Store, go to the app’s page, hit the menu button in the top-right corner, and uncheck Enable auto-update.
9. Disallow children to download apps
If your device is used by children, you should utilize the Play Store’s parental controls to set a content restriction for each type of app and prohibit them from installing apps that you don’t want them to use.
To make this possible, follow these steps:
- Tap your profile image in the top-right corner of the Play Store app.
- Go to the Settings tab.
- Select Family > Parental Controls from the drop-down menu.
- Set a PIN and turn off parental restrictions.
- Controls for each content type can be customized (e.g, apps, games, films).
10. Make a wish list of apps you’d like to try.
Start using the wishlist function if you decide you want to install an app but can’t right now, or if you want to wait and see if it improves before committing.
Tap the menu icon in the top-right corner of the app’s page in Play Store and select Add to wishlist. This adds it to your wishlist right now. To see your wishlist, go to Library > Wishlist from the Play Store’s home screen and tap your profile image in the top-right corner.
Install the Most Up-to-Date Apps from the Play Store.
We all know that the Play Store is where you can get a ton of great apps for your phone. But now you know that it’s capable of a lot more. Don’t be scared to rummage through the Play Store to see what else you can find.
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