What is Google Play Store lets you find and download apps on Android phones. When it started in 2008, it was called the Android Market. Now it has a new name that shows how it does more than apps. The Play Store helps you get apps, games, movies, books, and music.
There are now over 3 million apps to choose from in the Play Store. Since opening, over 150 billion apps have been downloaded globally. The Play Store reaches more than 2.5 billion active Android users every month in 190 countries around the world. The apps cover many topics like social media, entertainment, news, health, business, and more. This means you can find many apps for what interests you.
Searching and downloading apps from the Play Store is easy. Google offers app recommendations and early access to testers. There is also a family control section and rewards program. These extras make the Play Store helpful and fun to use.
Google wants the Play Store to be safe, so apps are checked for malware. Developers must follow privacy rules too. This lets you confidently search the Play Store to find useful apps for your phone.
Using The Play Store App
You’ll find the Play Store already on most Android phones. That makes it easy for over 2.5 billion active users to access each month. Simply open the app to start exploring games, apps and more that match what you like.
To download apps, you need to set up a Google Account if you don’t have one yet. This Account lets you sign in on any Android device and get your favorite apps there too. After logging in, you can search apps by name or browse top categories and editor picks.
Getting free apps is simple – just tap Install on the app page. Paid apps or in-app purchases are bought securely using your Google Account payment option like credit card or phone carrier billing. You’ll then have full use of that app or extra content. No worries if you change your mind – refunds are available within 2 hours!
The Play Store also updates your apps automatically when new versions arrive. You can turn off auto-updates and manage them manually instead if you prefer.
What You Can Get on The Play Store
With over 3 million Android apps on the Play Store, you can find programs for everything you need – chat apps, languages, fitness trackers, games and much more. Top sections cover social media, entertainment, news, health/fitness, education, business tools and other popular topics.
For gamers, there are tons of options spanning action, strategy, arcade and other genres. Google Play Games gives you bonus social features like leaderboards for competing with friends.
Book lovers will also love Play Books and its massive collection of fiction hits, non-fiction best sellers, self-help guides, textbooks and more formats. You can save books into custom libraries and get smart tips on new reads you’ll enjoy.
Additionally, Google Play Movies & TV allows you to access buy or rent movies and TV shows to instantly watch on your Android devices. Whether the latest cinema hits or binge-worthy series, the Play Store keeps the entertainment options fresh.
Beyond key app and entertainment selections, the Play Store lets Android users easily get magazine subscriptions, music services, video platforms and other digital content via dedicated apps.
What Devices Work with The Play Store
You’ll find the Google Play Store already on most Android phones and tablets from top brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo and more. It also comes on Chromebooks. Google sets compatibility standards that device makers must follow for Play Store access.
For devices that don’t meet the standards, you can try loading the Play Store app manually. However, some features might not fully work. Some alternative app stores are the Amazon Appstore, Huawei’s AppGallery and Samsung’s Galaxy Store. But the Play Store gives you the biggest catalog and strongest security.
When comparing, Google Play wins for its over 3 million apps, developer support, wide device availability and safety features like Play Protect. Alternative stores work well on their own devices, but can’t match the authenticity and accessibility of the Play Store across Android.
Also, the Play Store only directly supports Android devices. Non-Android platforms like Apple iOS have their own separate app stores. So Google Play doesn’t offer its apps catalog to those external environments.
Play Services and Mainline – What Are They?
Google Play Services is an key app on Android devices. It coordinates features like sign-ins, data syncing, location and more across apps. Play Services also enables quick updates for Google apps and third party Play Store apps you install.
Project Mainline is an initiative that lets select background services – DNS, media codecs etc. – update via the Play Store itself. This allows faster fixes without major OS updates. Together, Play Services and Mainline updates keep your apps and Android platform current, fix bugs, and deliver consistent performance over time – complementing the front-facing Play Store.
The Play Store Brand Over Time
The original “Android Market” launched in 2008 to let early Android phones access apps. As it expanded into books, music and video, Google renamed it to the Google Play Store in 2012 to showcase its wider role.
Google Play Music was Google’s music app but later got replaced by YouTube Music for streaming. Similarly, Google Play Movies & TV recently became Google TV to consolidate Google’s entertainment options.
The Google Play journey shows how Google has greatly evolved its services around the Android experience over the last decade. The Play Store remains central to that cohesive digital ecosystem.
What’s Next For The Play Store
As the official app store built into most Android devices, the Play Store has a big advantage competitors can’t easily copy. Backed by over 10 years of app data, Play Store recommendations understand what billions of users want – driving more app downloads.
Google keeps investing in developer tools, local payment options and security for the Play Store. Initiatives like the App Defense Alliance also fight Android malware to make the wider ecosystem safer.
Additionally, lower service fees and flexible subscription models will likely empower innovation across regions and app types where business challenges limit growth today. Supporting entrepreneurs in developing markets with pricing tailored for local users can massively expand Play Store app diversity.
As technology progresses, Google Play seems poised to reinforce its central role catalyzing cutting-edge consumer experiences and life-enhancing functions across global Android users. By balancing business needs with social duties, the Play Store is on track to fuel trillions more enriching app installs in the decade ahead.
