Top 7 Ways to Fix Google Play Store Authentication Required Error

Google Play Store remains the main source for Android users to download apps and games to the phone. Unfortunately, it still carries issues that leave users with an itchy head. Sometimes Google Play Store can’t download apps, gets stuck completing installation or gives ‘authentication required’ error. If you are facing the same situation, read on to learn how to fix Google Play Store authentication required error on Android.

When you open the Play Store, it will not load the home screen content for you. Instead, ‘Authentication required. You need to sign in to your Google Account’ message. Let’s fix the problem.

1. Try Again

Sometimes, you may encounter a problem when the Google Play Store cannot connect with your Google account. Authentication required error in application.

You can tap the Retry button or close and reopen the app to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Manually Sync Your Google Account

This trick worked when we ran into a similar issue on the Google Play Store.

Stage 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone.

Step 2: Go to Accounts.

Stage 3: Select the Google account you want to sync with Play Store.

Step 4: Tap on Account sync.

Step 5: Tap on the three-dot menu at the top and select Sync now.

Close the Settings app and open the Play Store again to see if the issue is resolved.

3. Force Stop Google Play Store

Android offers a handy force-stop function that allows users to stop any app that behaves strangely. You can use this and fix the Google Play Store authentication required error. Here’s what you need to do.

Stage 1: Identify Google Play Store on your home screen or app drawer.

Step 2: Tap and hold the app icon and select the info button.

Stage 3: Tap Force stop from the app info menu.

Exit the screen and try to open the Play Store again.

4. Uninstall Google Play Store Updates

A recent Play Store update on your Android phone may have broken the app functionality of your Google account. You can uninstall it and revert to a previous build.

Stage 1: Long press the Play Store app icon and go to app info menu.

Step 2: Tap on the three-dot menu at the top and select Uninstall updates.

The Android operating system will revert to the factory version of the Google Play Store on your phone, which will be functional.

5. Clear Cache and Storage

Google Play Store collects cache data in the background to quickly load your frequently visited app pages. Sometimes, cache data overload or a bad cache can affect Play Store functions and you may end up with authentication required error.

Stage 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone.

Step 2: Go to Apps & notifications > See all apps and select Google Play Store.

Stage 3: Open the storage and cache menu.

Step 4: Tap on Clear storage and Clear cache from the menu below.

Restart your phone and open Play Store again.

6. Give Unlimited Data Usage

Are you in Data saver mode on Android and trying to access Play Store? The default Data saver mode can be aggressive sometimes and blocks apps like Play Store from accessing the internet.

From the Play Store app info menu, you can enable unlimited data usage of Play Store to work normally even with Data Saver mode turned on.

Stage 1: Long press Google Play Store and go to app info menu.

Step 2: Tap on Mobile data and Wi-Fi and enable Unlimited data usage from the menu below.

7. Install APK Files from Web

Sometimes the problem can also be caused by Google. However, you can rely on APK files on the web until the company fixes the issue.

Normally, we recommend that you do not install apps and games from the web. But if you can’t wait to try the trending app or game, you can download an APK file from legitimate sources and install it on your Android phone.

Resolve Play Store’s Authentication Error

When you change your Google account password, the Play Store may ask you to re-authenticate your phone. In this case, it will take you to the login page to enter the new password.

If you haven’t changed the password and are still facing the issue, the above tricks should fix your Play Store issues.