Google Play Store icon missing or not showing in app drawer on Android or Pixel? Learn how to find it, re-enable it, clear cache, remove Private Space hiding, and restore Play Store fast.
If the Google Play Store is not showing, it’s usually one of these:
- The icon was removed from the home screen
- Play Store got disabled (common)
- It’s hidden inside Private Space (Pixel) or Work Profile
- A launcher glitch or a bad update is hiding it
Start with the quick checks below. Most people fix it in 2 to 5 minutes.
Google Play Store not downloading
Quick Fix First (works for most users)
1) Search for “Play Store” instead of scrolling
- Swipe up for All Apps (app drawer)
- Use the search bar and type Play Store
If it appears, long-press and drag it back to your home screen.
Fix 1: Google Play Store is disabled (most common)
On many Android phones, Play Store is a system app, so it may not be “gone”, just disabled.
Steps:
- Go to Settings → Apps (or Apps & notifications)
- Tap See all apps
- Tap the 3 dots (if available) and choose Show system apps
- Find Google Play Store
- If you see Enable, tap it
Google support threads also point to checking “Disabled” apps list for Play Store and re-enabling it.
Google Play services keeps stopping
Fix 2: Clear cache/storage + uninstall Play Store updates (safe)
If Play Store is enabled but still not visible or keeps acting weird:
Steps (Google recommended):
- Find Play Store → long-press → App info
- Go to Storage & cache
- Tap Clear cache
- If still broken: tap Clear storage
- Then open App info (top-right menu) → Uninstall updates (if shown)
Google provides these exact troubleshooting steps for Play Store issues.
Fix 3 (Pixel users): Check Private Space (apps can be hidden)
On Pixel, Private space can hide apps from All Apps when it’s locked.
What to do:
- Settings → Security & privacy
- Tap Private space
- Unlock it and check if Play Store is inside
- If you don’t use it, disable Private space hiding settings
Fix 4: Work Profile (briefcase icon) confusion
If you have a Work Profile, you might have:
- A normal Play Store
- A Work Play Store (briefcase)
Try searching “Play Store” and look for the briefcase version too. (Sometimes apps only show in that profile.)
Fix 5: Restart phone + update Google Play services
A quick restart often restores missing icons (launcher refresh).
If Play services are outdated, Play Store can behave oddly. Google recommends keeping Google Play services updated and clearing its cache/data if needed.
Fix 6: Launcher issue (Pixel Launcher or custom launcher)
If you’re using a custom launcher:
- Switch back to Pixel Launcher temporarily (Settings → Apps → Default apps → Home app)
- Check if Play Store appears there
If Play Store is truly not installed
On Pixel phones with official software, Play Store should exist. If it’s genuinely missing, it can happen on:
- Custom ROMs
- Devices without Google Mobile Services (GMS)
In that case, the clean fix is usually:
- Return to stock firmware, or
- Factory reset (after backup)
FAQs
Why is Google Play Store not showing in app drawer?
Most commonly it’s disabled, hidden in Private Space (Pixel), or you’re looking in the wrong profile (Work Profile).
Can I uninstall Google Play Store on Pixel?
Usually no (it’s a system app), but you can uninstall updates and re-enable it if it’s disabled.
Will clearing cache delete my apps?
No. Clearing cache is safe. Clearing storage may reset Play Store data, but it won’t delete your installed apps.
