"Download pending" in Google Play? 6 fixes

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 5 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Real screenshots

5 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Look at the queue

   In Google Play, tap your profile picture, then Manage apps & device. Updates available shows how many are waiting. Update all, or See details to pick only the ones you need.

   Done

2. 

   Check the free space

   The same page shows how much storage is used. Samsung advises freeing some up when less than 1 GB is left.

   Done

3. 

   Check the App download preference

   Profile, Settings, Network preferences, App download preference. If it says Over Wi-Fi only, downloads wait until you join Wi-Fi.

   Done

4. 

   Choose when to download

   Over any network downloads straight away and may use mobile data; Over Wi-Fi only waits for Wi-Fi.

   Done

5. 

   Clear the Play Store cache

   Settings, Apps, Google Play Store, Storage, Clear cache. The picture shows the Storage page of another app; the button is in the same place. Clear cache keeps your apps and account.

   Done

6. Set the date and time automatically

   Google lists a wrong date or time as a cause of failing downloads. Settings, General management, Date and time, Automatic date and time.

   Done

About this guide

An app sits at Download pending and never starts. On our Galaxy, Play showed 12 updates waiting, which is the most common reason: everything in that queue goes first.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ. We opened these screens and cancelled every dialog; no update was started.

Good to know

A VPN or a very weak connection can also hold downloads. Switch the VPN off for a moment and try again.

Still stuck? Restart the phone and install any system update under Settings, Software update.

In short: Clear the update queue in Manage apps & device, free storage, check App download preference, clear the Play Store cache, automatic date and time.