This wikiHow teaches you how to add a new Android device, Chromebook or Amazon Kindle Fire to a Google Play Store account. Doing this is as simple as syncing a Google account to an Android smartphone or tablet, or to a Chromebook. If you own an Amazon Kindle Fire, you can use it to access the Play Store and download apps for Android devices using a special procedure. Remember that it is not possible to use an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, iPod), a Windows device or a Mac to access the Google Play Store.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Android devices
Step 1. Launch the Settings app
Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the notification panel, then tap the gear icon visible in the upper right corner. You can pair your Google account with multiple Android devices at the same time, so that they all have access to the Google Play Store, allowing you to make purchases of the content you want.
Step 2. Select the Account item
If you are using a Samsung device, you may need to choose the option Accounts and backups to be able to select the item Account. Since there are many Android device manufacturers and models available, the exact name of the option indicated may vary.
Step 3. Choose the Add account item
The list of account types you can choose from will be displayed.
Step 4. Select the Google option from the appeared list
Step 5. Sign in with your Google account
Use the login credentials of the Google profile you want to pair with the Android device. You can link the same Google account to multiple devices at the same time.
Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the procedure
After you have confirmed your identity, the Android device will be connected to your Google account and you will have access to the Play Store.
From now on, you will be able to use all Google products directly from your device (for example the Play Store app, Play Movies or Play Books) via the Google account you just added. Launch the Google app you want to use, tap your profile picture or the icon with the initial of your name, tap the small down arrow icon and select the Google account you want to use
Step 7. Use the new Google account within the Play Store
Whenever you use an application produced by Google on the Android device in question (for example the Play Store, Play Movies or Play Books app), you will be able to use the Google account you just added to have access to all the content that you bought. Launch the Play Store app (found in the "Applications" panel) and follow these instructions:
- Press the button characterized by three parallel horizontal lines located in the upper left corner of the screen to access the main menu of the program;
- Tap your profile picture or the icon with the initial of your name displayed at the top of the menu;
- Tap the down arrow icon located next to your Google account;
- Select the profile you want to use;
- At this point, you will be able to have access to all the content associated with the chosen account by selecting the "My apps and games" option.
Method 2 of 3: Chromebook
Step 1. Access the quick settings panel
This is the area of the screen where the system clock, battery icon, and Wi-Fi connection status are visible. Normally, it is located in the lower right corner of the screen.
- Not all Chromebook models support access to the Google Play Store. To find out which Chromebooks have this feature, see this Google technical support page.
- If your Chromebook was loaned to you by the company you work for or the school you attend, you may not be able to access the Google Play Store.
Step 2. Click the Settings icon
It features a gear and is located at the top of the quick settings panel.
Step 3. Scroll down the menu that appeared to be able to click on the Activate button, located in the "Google Play Store" section
A pop-up will be displayed containing the terms and conditions for using the Google service.
If the indicated option is not visible, it means that the Chromebook you are using is unable to run apps for Android devices
Step 4. Review the terms and conditions of the agreement offered by Google and click the Accept button
To examine the terms and conditions of use of Google services, you may have to click on the item Other. At this point, after enabling access to the Google Play Store on your Chromebook, the latter will have access to all the products and content available on the Google store linked to your account.
Method 3 of 3: Kindle Fire
Step 1. Remove the MicroSD card from the device (if present)
If you have installed an SD card in your Kindle Fire, the Google Play Store app may have been automatically installed on this storage medium, rather than on the device's internal memory.
Step 2. Enable installation of applications from unknown sources
This way, you'll have the ability to install apps using APK files that don't come directly from the Amazon App Store. Amazon does not recommend performing this procedure - it poses a security risk to the device as some apps created by rogue developers, distributed in the form of APK files, may contain spyware and malware that would seriously damage the device. If you accept the risk and want to continue, please follow these instructions:
- Launch the app Settings visible on the home screen of the device;
- Select the item Security and Privacy (or simply Safety on older models);
- Activate the slider of the "Applications from unknown sources" option by moving it to the right;
- If you are prompted to allow the installation of the APK files, press the button Allow.
Step 3. Download and install the version of the Google Account Manager specific to your Kindle Fire model
It is very important to download the correct APK file and to do this you need to know the model of your Kindle Fire. To find out this basic information, start the app Settings, select the item Device and system options and take note of the model shown in the "Device Model" section. At this point, click on the link for the device model and select the option APK Download:
- Fire HD 10 (9th generation), 7 (9th generation), HD 8 (8th and 10th generation)
- Fire HD 10 (7th generation and previous generations), HD 8 (7th generation and previous generations), 7 (7th generation and previous generations), HD 6, HDX 8.9
Step 4. Download the Google Services Framework specific to your Kindle Fire model
Again, click on the link listed below for your Kindle model, then select the option APK Download to save it to your device:
- Fire HD 10 (9th Generation), HD 8 (10th Generation)
- Fire 7 (9th Generation), HD 8 (8th Generation)
- Fire HD 10 (7th generation and previous generations), HD 8 (7th generation and previous generations), 7 (7th generation and previous generations), HD 6, HDX 8.9
Step 5. Download the Google Play Services APK file specific to your Kindle Fire model
Again, click on the link listed below for your Kindle model, then select the option APK Download to save it to your device:
- Fire HD 10 (9th generation produced in 2019), HD 8 (10th generation)
- Fire 7 (9th generation produced in 2019)
- Fire HD 8 (8th generation produced in 2018)
- Fire HD 10 (7th generation and previous generations), HD 8 (7th generation and previous generations), 7 (7th generation and previous generations), HD 6, HDX 8.9
Step 6. Download the APK file of the Google Play Store application
This is the last installation file that you will need to download on the device and, in this case, there is only one version compatible with all models on the market. Follow these instructions:
- Select this link to access the page from which to download the APK file in question;
- Tap the down arrow icon next to the most recent release date;
- Push the button APK Download to store the file on the device.
Step 7. Go to the "Downloads" folder
You can find it listed within the list of apps installed on the device or within a named app File or Documents. In the indicated folder there will be all the APK files that you downloaded in the previous steps.
Step 8. Install all four APK files in the correct order
The Play Store app won't be able to work if you don't install all the necessary components in the correct order. Follow these instructions:
- Select the file whose name starts with com.google.gsf.login, then press the button end when required;
- Select the file whose name starts with com.google.android.gsf, then press the button end when required;
- Select the file whose name starts with com.google.android.gms, then press the button end when required;
- Select the file whose name starts with com.android.vending, then press the button end when required.
Step 9. Restart the Kindle Fire
Press the Power button on your device and choose the option Restart to confirm your action. If the "Restart" option is not available, turn your Kindle off completely and then turn it back on.
Step 10. Launch the Google Play Store app by tapping the corresponding icon
When the Kindle has restarted you will find the multicolored triangular icon of the Google Play Store on the Home.
Step 11. Sign in with your Google account
Use the login credentials related to the Google account you want to associate with the device.
Step 12. Review the terms and conditions of the agreement offered by Google and click the Accept button
At this point, your Kindle Fire has been paired with your Google account, it will have access to the Google Play Store and all associated content.
