Google Play Store on PC (Windows)

Google Play Store PC 53.0.27 is the Windows listing for Google's app marketplace, and the safest way to download anything from it is through Google's official pages. Play itself is built for Android, so on a Windows computer you use it through the website or through Google Play Games on PC.

Quick facts

• Name: Google Play Store PC
• Version listed: 53.0.27
• Developer: Google
• Platform: Windows
• License: freeware, proprietary
• Service history: since October 2008, under the Google Play name since March 2012
• Size: about 52.89 MB according to catalogue data
• Website: play.google.com

What you can do with Google Play on a PC

Google Play is a digital distribution platform: a store for Android apps, games, books and films tied to your Google account. On a Windows PC there are two official ways to use it. One is the website, where you can browse, buy and send apps to your Android phone or tablet; the device then installs them remotely. The other is Google Play Games on PC, a Windows program for playing selected Android games with a keyboard and mouse on a larger screen, with progress synced to your phone. There is no official way to run every Android app from Play on Windows, so programs that promise the complete Play Store as a normal desktop application should be treated with care. Emulators that include Google services are a separate category of software.

PC requirements for Play Games

Google's eligibility page lists Windows 10 (v2004), a solid state drive with 10 GB of free storage, 8 GB of RAM and a processor with 4 physical CPU cores. The same page describes graphics requirements and how to check them.

How to set it up step by step

1. Open play.google.com in your browser and sign in with your Google account.
2. To install on your phone, pick an app and choose your device from the list.
3. For games on the PC, open Google's Play Games page and download the Windows installer.
4. Sign in and let it sync your game progress.

Changes are listed in the Google Play Games on PC release notes.

Safety tips

Never enter your Google password in a program that claims to be the Play Store for Windows unless it comes from Google. Unofficial "Play Store for PC" installers are a common way to spread adware. Check the address bar for play.google.com or google.com before signing in.

Price

The store and Play Games on PC are free. Paid apps, games and in-app purchases are charged to your Google account.

Pros and cons

• Pro: remote installs to your Android devices from a browser.
• Pro: official game support with synced progress.
• Con: not every Android app runs on Windows.
• Con: Play Games needs a fairly modern PC.

Alternatives

BlueStacks, LDPlayer, Nox App Player and MSI App Player are Android emulators for Windows in the same tools category.