How to fix slow app installations and updates on Android & Samsung

If apps from the Google Play Store take an unusually long time to download, install, update, or get stuck at 99%, the issue is usually caused by background security scanning or corrupted Play Store cache files. Here is how to fix slow app installations and updates on a Samsung Galaxy and other Android devices.

Method 1: Turn off Samsung Device Protection (Samsung Galaxy only)

On Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets, the built-in Device Protection (powered by McAfee) automatically scans every app during installation. Because Google Play Protect already scans all apps, this redundant background scan significantly slows down installations and updates.

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
  2. Tap Battery and device care (or Device care).
  3. Tap Device protection (or App protection).
  4. Tap the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner of your screen.
  5. Tap Device protection settings (or App protection settings).
  6. Tap the toggle switch to turn Device Protection Off.
    Turning off Samsung device protection settings toggle button

Device protection is now off. Turning it off speeds up installations because it no longer performs redundant background scans—Google Play Protect already scans every app automatically.

Method 2: Clear Google Play Store cache and data (universal)

Corrupted cache files or temporary bugs inside the Google Play Store app can cause app downloads and updates to hang or install very slowly across all Android devices.

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
  2. Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications).
  3. Select Google Play Store from your list of apps.
  4. Tap Storage (or Storage and cache).
  5. Tap Clear cache first to remove temporary junk files.
    Clearing cache for Google Play Store in Android settings
  6. If downloads are still slow, tap Clear data (or Clear storage) to completely reset the Play Store's database and background state.
    Clearing data for Google Play Store in Android settings
  7. Restart your device and open the Play Store to retry your app update or installation.

Method 3: Adjust Google Play Store download preferences

Restricted background data or network preferences can queue or throttle app installations when downloading over mobile data or Wi-Fi.

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Expand Network preferences.
  5. Tap App download preference.
  6. Set it to Over any network.
  7. Tap Auto-update apps.
  8. Select Update over Wi-Fi only or Update all apps over Wi-Fi or mobile data to ensure pending background updates do not block active downloads.
    Google Play Store app download preference set to over any network

Related:

How to disable device security on a Samsung phone or tablet

How to clear app cache on Android without losing personal data

Android