If you’ve been experiencing the frustrating “Google Play services has stopped” or “Google Play services keeps stopping” error on your Android device, you’re not alone. This issue can pop up on phones from various manufacturers, including Samsung, and can seem impossible to fix. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a simple solution that can help you resolve this issue without resorting to a full factory reset or flashing new firmware.
Why Is This Happening?
First, let’s understand what’s happening. Google Play services is a core part of Android, allowing apps to connect to Google’s services, like Google Maps, Gmail, and the Google Play Store itself. When this service fails, it can cause errors that prevent apps from functioning properly. In some cases, the error message might pop up immediately after a restart, or it could appear repeatedly on your screen.
In the case we’re focusing on, the issue occurred on a Samsung phone running Android 7, a version that Google no longer officially supports as of 2025. This means it doesn’t receive security updates, and while this can make your phone vulnerable, you can still access the Google Play Store as long as the phone’s firmware supports it.
The Likely Cause
The root cause of this issue is typically a problem with a Google Play services update that didn’t install properly. While there are various solutions floating around online, most of them involve drastic steps, such as performing a factory reset or re-flashing the firmware. These methods can result in the loss of all your data, which is something you’d want to avoid if possible.
Fortunately, there’s a much simpler and safer solution: uninstalling the problematic updates and reinstalling them from the Google Play Store.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Error
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to uninstall and reinstall Google Play services to fix the error:
1. Go to Settings and Open Apps
Open the Settings app on your phone.
Scroll down and tap on Apps (or Applications, depending on your phone).
2. Show System Apps
Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the screen and select Show system apps. This will allow you to view apps that aren’t typically visible.
3. Find Google Play Services
Scroll through the list of apps and locate Google Play Services (not Google Play Services Framework, which is a different app).
4. Uninstall Updates
Tap on Google Play Services to open its settings.
If you see a three-dot menu in the top-right corner, tap it and select Uninstall updates. This will revert the app to the version that was originally installed when the phone first shipped.
If you don’t see the three-dot menu or if the buttons are grayed out, don’t worry! We’ll unlock them in the next steps.
5. Disable Device Administrators (If Needed)
Sometimes, the buttons to disable or uninstall updates may be grayed out due to security settings. To unlock them, go back to Settings and tap on Security (or Lock screen and security on some phones).
Look for an option called Device administrators (on older Android versions) or Trust agents (on newer versions like Android 13).
Inside this section, disable any active services.
6. Revisit the App Settings
Now that the grayed-out buttons are activated, go back to the Google Play Services app settings.
You should now be able to disable the app, which will trigger the uninstall of updates.
7. Reinstall Google Play Services
Once the updates are uninstalled, all Google apps (like Gmail and Maps) may stop working temporarily.
To fix this, simply open the Google Play Store and search for Google Play Services.
Tap Update to reinstall the latest version of Google Play services.
After the update installs, the error should be resolved.
Why This Works
Uninstalling and reinstalling Google Play services essentially removes any faulty update that might have caused the error. By reinstalling it through the Play Store, you get the latest, compatible version of Google Play services, which should fix the problem without requiring a factory reset or re-flashing your phone.
A Final Note on Device Longevity
It’s important to note that while this fix can solve the problem in the short term, devices running older versions of Android (like Android 7) are no longer supported by Google in 2025. Over time, your device may lose access to the Google Play Store and other services, making it increasingly difficult to keep your phone up to date. For long-term use, consider upgrading to a newer device if possible.
Conclusion
In most cases, the “Google Play services has stopped” error can be fixed easily by uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This method allows you to avoid the more drastic steps like performing a factory reset or flashing new firmware. With just a few simple steps, your phone will be back to normal, and you can continue using it as intended, at least until it becomes obsolete and no longer receives updates from Google.