How to Fix Pixel 2 Download Pending Google Play Issue

You just bought your new Google Pixel 2 or Google Pixel 2 XL device but unfortunately, your happiness is short-lived, as you cannot install apps from the Google Store due to Download pending issue. If you try to install any app on your Pixel 2, Play Store does not download the app instead it’s stuck on “Download pending”. So, what should you do?

Well, here are some quick fixes that should resolve Download pending issue on Google Play Store on Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL powered by Android Oreo.

1. Reboot phone

The first thing that you should try for any problem on your device should be rebooting your phone. Reboot your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL once and then try downloading the apps from Play Store again.

2. Check internet connection

Make sure you have a working internet connection. If the issue is on Wi-Fi try using Mobile data and vice versa.

3. Boot your device in Safe mode

If a simple reboot doesn’t solve the downloading pending issue on Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, boot your phone in Safe mode.

To do so, follow the steps:

  1. Press and hold the power button on your Google Pixel 2 XL for a few seconds until you get the Power menu.
  2. Long tap or press and hold the “Power off” option for a few seconds.
  3. A Safe mode pop-up will appear. Tap OK to boot into Safe mode.
  4. Use your Pixel 2 XL for 1-2 minutes in Safe mode and then restart normally to get out of the Safe Mode.
  5. Try downloading the apps on Google Play Store.

4. Force stop Google Play Store

To do so, follow the steps:

  1. Open Settings on your Pixel 2.
  2. Tap Apps & notifications followed by “See all apps”.
  3. Tap Google Play Store and hit “Force Stop” button.
  4. Go back, open Play Store on your Pixel 2 and try downloading the apps.

5. Clear Google Play Store and Play Service data and cache

To do so, follow the steps:

  1. Open Settings on your Pixel 2.
  2. Tap Apps & notifications followed by “See all apps”.
  3. Tap Google Play Store and hit Storage.
  4. Under Storage, tap Clear data and Clear Cache.
  5. Repeat the steps for Google Play Services. Wait for 5 minutes and then open Play Store.

6. Reset app preference

To reset app preference on your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, follow the steps:

  1. Open device Settings on your Pixel 2.
  2. Tap System followed by Reset options.
  3. Select “Reset app preferences” from the list.
  4. Restart your Pixel 2.
  5. Open Google Play Store and try downloading the apps.

7. Turn off Restrict background data for Play Store and Play Service

To do so, follow the steps:

  1. Open Settings on your Pixel 2.
  2. Tap Apps & notifications followed by “See all apps”.
  3. Tap Google Play Store and hit Data Usage.
  4. Make sure “Background data” toggle is blue.
  5. Go back and tap Google Play Services followed by Data usage.
  6. Make sure “Background data” and “Unrestricted data usage” toggles are blue.

8. Uninstall Google Play Store updates

To do so, follow the steps:

  1. Open Settings on your Pixel 2.
  2. Tap Apps & notifications followed by “See all apps”.
  3. Tap Google Play Store and hit the three dot menu present at the top right corner. Select Uninstall updates.
  4. Restart your device.
  5. Open Google Play Store and try downloading the apps.

9. Stop the download process for all apps

If you are downloading multiple apps, cancel or stop the download for all apps. To do so, go to open Play Store, swipe in from the left edge of the screen and tap “My apps & games”. Touch the X (cross icon) to cancel the download. Doing this will clear the download queue and most probably you will be able to download apps once again without any download pending issue on your Pixel 2 Pixel 2 XL powered by Android Oreo (8.0).

10. Finish the setup on your Pixel 2

Make sure to finish the initial setup process thoroughly on your Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL i.e. install all the apps that Google asks you to while setting up your device. This includes apps like Allo, Daydream etc. You can uninstall them later.

In case, you skipped the setup process, we suggest you to factory reset your device and start fresh.

To factory reset your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, follow the steps:

  1. Open Settings on your Pixel 2 XL.
  2. Tap System followed by Reset options.
  3. Tap “Erase all data”.

Once your device reboots, finish the setup process through Android. Connect to Wi-Fi, add Google account, and download all the apps that Google asks you to download.

If all goes well, Download pending status will go away and you will be able to download apps from the Google Play Store on your Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL running Android Oreo.