It can be quite a frustrating experience, especially when you encounter “app blocking access to Google Play” when you want to install or update one or two apps on your Android device. This is even worse when you don’t know how to go about it yet you really need this service.
Often, such an issue can arise as a result of conflicts between some application software and Google Play Store, thus impeding your device’s ability to update, download, or manage apps seamlessly.
This setback can be as a result of Google Play Store updates, app settings or your device itself. The good news is that there are various effective remedies that you can embrace to ensure that your device software is updated and everything is running smoothly.
Why another app is blocking access to Google Play?
Probably, you’ll be curious to know why another is blocking access to the Google Play Store. It could be as a result of one or two issues as we’ve discussed below.
- Google Play updates: If your Google Play Store has been updated recently, you might probably get the “Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play” error. This is a result of the latest Google Play Store version causing the error message.
- Security and settings concerns: Some of the settings you could have made might affect or conflict with the Google Play Store, which can result in the app displaying this error message.
- Parental Controls settings: Could you have set up parental controls on that device? Probably, you wanted to protect your child from downloading and installing without your permission. These controls can block or deny access to apps like Google Play, websites, and websites, among other contents.
- Competing Services: There are some instances when some apps might block access to apps offering similar services to theirs with the intention of promoting their own app stores or services. This is especially common in regions with many alternative app stores.
- Some Technical Issues: Some technical issues or bugs can lead to unexpected app behavior, including access blocking to certain services or apps like Google Play. Although the issue could be intentional, it is a result of software conflicts.
- User Settings: There are some apps that can allow you to configure settings that interfere with the accessibility of some apps or services. For instance, a software optimizer app might include features such as ” optimizing” the device by blocking the background process.
- App Permissions: Some apps can ask permission to control access to certain data on your device, and once the permission is granted, it can affect the functionality of other apps.
If this behavior is causing a nuisance on your phone usage, then there are several remedies you may consider
How do I find out what app is blocking my access to Google Play?
When an installed app on your device is granted permission to display over other apps, it could be the reason why you’re facing this error from the Google Play Store. To determine the exact app that is blocking access to Google Play, you better consider investigating your device settings and permissions and those of the blocking app. Here is a simple guide on how to go about it.
Step 1. On your Android device, open the “Settings” option and scroll down to “Apps.”
Step 2. Tap on the “Special access” option.
Step 3. Tap on the “Display over other apps” option to see the list of apps that have permission to display over the other apps, including Google Play Store.
Step 4: You’ll see a list of “Allowed” apps that can display over other apps. Tap on the specific app to open its permission status.
One of those apps could be blocking access to Google Play. To know the exact app causing this inconvenience, tap on the error message and see more details about the app blocking access.
Step 5: Tap on the specific app and toggle the “Turn off” button to stop that app from displaying on top of another.
How to fix looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play?
If you’ve been encountering the issue, “Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play” and you’re suspicious that another app could be behind the problem, then you can give one of these methods a try to identify and resolve the issue.
First method: uninstall updates for your Google Play Store
If you’ve updated your Google Play recently, there is a high possibility of getting the error “Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play” from the recently updated app.
Step 1: Open the “Settings” by tapping on the setting gear on your device.
Once you open the setting gear, you’ll come across multiple options including “Advanced features,” “Google,” “Apps,” “Accounts and backup,” and more.
Step 2: Tap on the “Apps” option.
When you open the ” Apps” option, you’ll see options such as ” Google Play Music,” Google Play Movies & TV,” ” Google Play Store,” and more.
Step 3. Tap on the “Google Play Store” option to open its information.
Here, you’ll be able to view the app’s defaults, privacy settings and usage. You’ll see three dots on the top right corner on this display.
Step 4: Uninstall updates. You just have to tap the three dots and then “Uninstall updates.”
After you conclude uninstalling the Google Play updates, you can try to give it another shot. Try to install and run it and see if the issue has been resolved.
Second method: disable the “Appear on top” feature.
The “Screen Overlay,” also known as ” Appear on top,” is a feature that allows apps to display on top of other apps. If there’s an app on your device running this function, then it could be a reason for receiving the “Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play” error. To fix this, kindly follow these steps.
Step 1: Open your device settings and tap on the “Setting” icon.
Once you open the setting gear, you’ll come across multiple options including “Advanced features,” “Google,” “Apps,” “Accounts and backup,” and more.
Step 2: Tap on the “Apps” option.
This will help you to manage the app settings and default apps that have been installed on the device.
Step 3: Tap on the three dots and then “Special access” option.
After you access the ” Special access” menu, you’ll see a list of features under it.
Step 4. Tap on the “Appear on top” option.
Step 5: Tap on the “Appear on top” toggle to disable all the apps.
To fix the “Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play” error, you’ll have to switch off the switches for all the apps appearing on the list. You can now try to install Google Play Store and see if the error is fixed.
Third method: restart your Android phone.
Another method to fix the “Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play” issue is by restarting your phone. This is because background activity from some apps can block the accessibility of Google Play Store.
How to restart an Android phone?
Step 1: Press and hold the power button for about 1-3 minutes. An “Options” menu will pop-up.
Step 2: Tap on the “Restart” option to restart your phone.
When you restart your phone, all the apps running in the background will be forced to close. In simple terms, restarting your phone means starting its operations in a fresh state.
Fourth method: update your Google Play Store.
If your Google Play Store or even your device system software is out of date, it can be the reason for the error message “Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play.” To fix this issue, you need to update your system. To update a malfunctioning Google Play Store, kindly follow these steps.
1. Tap on the “Google Play Store” app icon.
2. On the top right corner, tap on your “Profile picture” or “Profile icon.”
3. You’ll see several options and tap on the “Setting” gear.
4. Next, tap on the “About” option to open its info.
5. A drop down menu appears and tap on “Update Play Store” to have the latest version of Google Play Store running on your device.
How to unblock app on FlashGet Kids?
The FlashGet Kids includes an App’s unblocking feature that enables you to unlock apps that you could have locked for various reasons on your child’s device. Whether you want to get back in touch with your friends, coworkers, or family or enable your child to use certain apps, you may quickly unblock someone by going through these steps:
>>App Blocker features
- The app allows you to block and manage certain or all apps installed on a device. It could be yours or that of your kid.
- Control the block list and sort it in various categories.
- Block/ unblock access to specific apps and also set up strict mode on your child’s phones.
Step 1: Open your FlashGet Kids app and go to “Usage Limits.
Step 2: Proceed and click the “Disable All Apps” button.
Once you turn off the “Disable All Apps” button, all the apps that had been blocked will be unblocked and can now be accessed on the other device.
Step 3: If you want to allow your kids to use that particular app on their device, then go to; “Screen Time Limits,” and then tap on “Available time limits” option to untick this function.
Step 4: Select “Always Allow” apps, then unmark the app you want to unlock under the “Select Apps” or “Search” option and finally tap on “Save” to confirm the changes you’ve just made.
