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Google Play Services: the heartbeat of your Android smartphone

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Often it seems that problems on Android are related to Google Play Services, but what is it exactly? Why is it there? Here we walk you through what it is, what it’s used for and why it's indispensable.

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Google Play Services: what is it?

Google Play Services is not an app in the way most people think of apps. When you attempt to open it, nothing will happen. However, it is installed by default on all Android devices. It also sees regular updates, and the number of permissions it requires is impressive. Everything goes: access to and control over SMS, access to sensitive log data, access to all the information from Google apps; the list goes on.

In short, Google Play Services is an app that is very closely linked to the Android system itself.

It's a package of APIs (things that assist programmers and allow apps to easily communicate with other apps) that ensure fewer apps are dependent upon Android OS updates to run.

google play services screenshot
Google Play Services remains mysterious to many Android users / © NextPit

What does Google Play Services do?

In fact, Google Play Services represents a minor smartphone revolution. Take the example of Google Maps: before Google Play Services, this app was updated when the Android OS was updated. We all know how slow carriers and manufacturers can be when it comes to rolling out updates. Today, there’s no more waiting for updates to Google Maps: they are done automatically through Google Play Services.

google search androidpit 01
Google apps, like Chrome, are updated through Google Play Services / © NextPit

Google Play Services thus allows your smartphone to benefit from the latest versions of apps without upgrading to the latest version of Android. This does not include all apps, however; it’s mostly for Google’s home-brewed apps (Gmail, Google+, Google Play, etc.). However, apps using Google's services, of which there are many, may also be affected.

In essence, it means that any version of Android, from Android 2.2 up, can benefit from new apps and features, independent of updates to the OS. It's essentially a way of fencing in fragmentation and ensuring that as many users as possible can continue to enjoy Android.

It is a change in the operating system that came with Android 4.3 but has continued to grow gradually with new Android updates, particularly with the arrival of Lollipop and Marshmallow. Nowadays, with Android 9.0 Pie widely available, Google Play services has become an absolutely essential part of the Android ecosystem.

Can I disable it?

While it was possible to disable Google Play Services in the past, nowadays it's too indispensable to simply disable on your own: all your Google apps require it to run smoothly. However, it is possible to have your smartphone running completely free of Google apps and services, thanks to the availability of custom ROMS like LineageOS.

Why does Google Play Services consume battery?

Google Play Services generally consumes a low amount of battery, just a few percentage points. However, in other cases, users have seen Google gobble up an inordinate amount of battery after an Android OS update. The most likely reason is an incompatibility issue between your Android version and that of Google Play Services.

battery
Google Play Services can sometimes be a battery killer / © NextPit

The quickest solutions are:

  • Remove updates to the app (Settings > Applications > All > Google Play Services > three dots menu > Uninstall updates). You might need to head to Settings > Security > Device Administrators and disable Android Device Manager first.
  • Disable the synchronization of Google data (Settings > Accounts. Here, press the menu button (three dots) and disable Auto-sync data).

For a more in-depth guide on how to solve battery problems arising from issues with Google Play Services, check out our dedicated article:

We hope that this has cleared up some of the mystery around this enigmatic app. Do you have any more questions? Let us know in the comments.

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David McCourt

David McCourt
Editor

David enjoys staying abreast of the latest technology and newest Android apps. Outside of the office, he can be found playing snooker and writing bad 00s indie songs.

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47 comments
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  • 1
    Lilly911 Jun 13, 2020 Link to comment

    I do not use Google, do not like it. I have a Moto G7 Android can I delete everything that has to do with Google??


    • marco sarli 39
      marco sarli
      • Admin
      Jun 13, 2020 Link to comment

      The short answer is no unless you change OS. The long answer is you can only uninstall or disable as many Google apps as possible but services, play and a couple other thing will have to stay if you want Android to work


      • 1
        Software Utilitarist Jan 9, 2021 Link to comment

        Wrong! You CAN well remove the Google Play Services, Google Play, and Google Services Framework, too.

        It will of course break most of the Google Apps, which is not a big deal as you were going to get rid of them anyway, weren't you?

        I'm not sure how largely those APIs are used by 3rd party apps on those newest Android versions, but on the older ones, most 3rd party apps DO work without those GCrap, and alternatives are easily found for the Crappy Google apps.

        Of course you need root to remove the Google Crapware.

        And my UX has been improved tremendously after losing all those super-bloated and buggy Google Bloatware, which actually tend to bring down the entire usability of the system with the more and more obese updates.

        Google updates are NOT making it possible to "continue enjoying with old phones", quite the contrary. Obese updates are making otherwise good old phones unusable. They are NOT welcome!


  • 3
    Abdallah Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

    Maybe all android users like and love to Google but I Hate Google and I hate making money politics of thems

    Software Utilitarist


    • 25
      Deactivated Account Jan 4, 2020 Link to comment

      First time I am agreeing with you, I hate Google too. It is gradually becoming the old selfish Microsoft.

      Software UtilitaristSorin


  • 3
    Abdallah Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

    Google play service are jealous when I disabled all Google apps! My other all apps forced me to update Google play service. This is the idea of enemy with people's


  • 3
    Abdallah Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

    Google play service is no heart beat of android phone but one android phone is money tree for Google company


  • 3
    Abdallah Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

    No adds at my other side youtu.be and no adds any other apps


  • 3
    Abdallah Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

    Google is big snake eating data too much and making money himself from adds Google is the no 1 honest to selfish


    • 3
      Abdallah Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

      Before I believe at Google play service too much but when I see higher troubles from my Google account. And Google apps I disabled all Google apps now no trouble on my android phone


  • 1
    Kemisola Dec 14, 2019 Link to comment

    My play store is not working I have been trying to download some app but just rolling not downloading please can I do about it?


    • 3
      Abdallah Dec 15, 2019 Link to comment

      Because your Google account maybe someone hacked its common because Google account,s security is very poor


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Nov 17, 2019 Link to comment

    Interesting information

    Sorin


  • 1
    jovet Oct 27, 2019 Link to comment

    Allow my google play to be play


  • 2
    Mike May 10, 2019 Link to comment

    Sounds like BS. I used a disabler to stop Google play services and Google play store from ever running on my phone without my consent. Every app I haven't disabled still works fine without their services.

    One less invasive POS software eating my battery.

    Deactivated Account


  • 2
    Darr247 Mar 7, 2019 Link to comment

    So if you CAN'T uncheck Find My Phone in Security -> Device Administration because every time you try to uncheck it you get the message "Unfortunately, Settings has stopped" (and all it has is an OK button; no Report or Wait options)... what then?

    Deactivated Account


  • 2
    Darr247 Mar 7, 2019 Link to comment

    See next.


  • Graham Steel 2
    Graham Steel Dec 24, 2018 Link to comment

    I have a mobile contract with 500MB data per month. I normally only use a tiny fraction of it. Over Christmas we used Google Navigation a couple of times only for a few minutes each, and I was staggered to see that my phone had used 140MB of data whilst my data was turned on for the navigation. However, examining the data usage on my phone, I found that the majority of the 140MB was used by Google Play Services. Only 20MB had been used by Google Navigation. Google Sheets had also apparently used more than 20MB, which mystified me because although I do use Google Sheets on a computer, I have never used it on my phone.
    I have now turned off the setting that allows Google Play Services to sync in the background, but I am still wondering how that will impact my use of the other Android apps.


  • 1
    OZtheGreat Dec 16, 2018 Link to comment

    my Motorola Z2 has recently been doing what my lgv10 was doing and that is an audio file will randomly fire off for no apparent reason. Each time it's the same audio file. I delete the audio file and a different one takes its place. After researching extensively no one seems to have a good answer for it so I disabled Google play services.
    It's been about 2 days with no mysterious audio files popping up out of nowhere and my phone works just fine. I only have to deal with the message that says Google play services error popping up. I disregard it.


  • 1
    Pedro Enrique Nov 29, 2018 Link to comment

    Pls help me!!. Recently i wont to install the version 12.6.85 of google services, but my phone dont installed. says" this app is dont installed". My mobile phone is a Sonuy Xperia XA1, and actually my version of google services is 12.8.76 (040406) pls help me


    • alex delgado 1
      alex delgado Nov 29, 2018 Link to comment

      A mi me pasa lo mismo tengo una versión de fabrica más alta que la 12.6.85 y no me deja usar mi tele a mi manera es una especie de bloqueo que no me gusta


  • 2
    Mmmg81 Sep 8, 2018 Link to comment

    And also why does the samsung calculator need such intrusive permissions???


  • 2
    Mmmg81 Sep 8, 2018 Link to comment

    What are the Google play services modules in my android phone?? Does that mean a certain app was downloaded? And firebase..and also apis..sdks...what is it and what are they used for?? I need more info on these things!! Please help.


  • 2
    Castlerook0 Aug 7, 2018 Link to comment

    Google play services performs a number of chores for Google that Google would prefer not be discussed here or anywhere else. Its basically a data theft app which violates the law with spyware which can't/won't/shouldn't be detected by any intrusive government efforts. It can be restricted by any given device owner, but cannot be stopped from operating behind the scenes and steadfastly collecting every byte of data you gnerate on your device.
    All references to Google being "nosy" and such are cute and sweet, but only so if you think it's sweet of Google to steal, sell, barter etc., Your personal info including every photograph you've ever had on your
    device.
    This is what Google Play Services is all about.
    It's one ugly situation that people have been put into and it will probably not be changing anytime soon. The political forces against it cannot stand up to those for it simply because the cash or otherwise given monies perform the task of buying the votes of any given forum required to keep the unlawful behaviors of Google in effect.
    It's the same sroey with Microsoft Windows updates. The updates are not about your computers security, but are about simple straight up data theft. That's why even after diabling windows updates they still "try" to update your computer. That faux effort to install updates allows Microsoft the opportunity to invade your computer and update their vast holdings of personal data from every computer user/owner just as if their update theft method was in effect.
    I welcome any comments in support of what I've said herein about Google play services or Microsoft. I also welcome any dissenting views.

    Stewart Daniels


    • Stewart Daniels 3
      Stewart Daniels Nov 9, 2018 Link to comment

      I agree totally. Google Play Services app is a Trojan, plain and simple. One day, I turned off Sync to save battery, next time I checked...contacts were synced while Sync was disabled. So, I kept checking, and lo and behold...contacts synced every day while disabled. Creep Alert received.

      The nerd in me always roots (I know, I know, but I refuse to be a mere guest account on my $900+tax phone). Root permits me a glimpse inside the Google Play Services processes with certain apps. When I did peek, I found tens of processes dedicated to analytics, logging, and data collection. It's incredulous what they are getting away with.

      Not wishing to delete Google Play Services, I use a root firewall that blocks any data transmission to Google Play Services and Google Play Store, unblocking them if I wish to update an app, then quickly shutting it down. I also use a GPS app that is independent of Google Play Services. I have zero Google Apps on any of my devices.

      A funny side effect is my firewall log, which states in any 24 hour period, Google Play Services will make 3,000+ data requests in a 9-14 hour period. Requests denied.

      Google is up to some extremely creepy things in the background of their devices. People know, yet choose to roll with it. People are funny.

      But, I will stay with Android because I can secure my device/ data from all, including Google.

      On the Microsoft front...I locked Win 10 down (As humanly possible), removed Defender, Cortana, Edge, Explorer, the Windows Store, Office, Windows Media Player, crippled Windows Firewall, deleted 3D whatever, and blocked most telemetry avenues, and Windows Updates is disabled until I am ready. Never open a Microsoft account and link it to your PC...that's the main key, don't invite them in.

      Pretty much the basic operating system is what I have (Which is all I need), with my firewall on paranoid duty, along with my antivirus VPN.


      • 1
        Rob Overton Dec 11, 2018 Link to comment

        Those who think that the comments by Castlerook and Stewart look like conspiracy theories should read the article in the December 9th 2018 New York Times, about location data alone. This is a huge industry, and could easily lead to personal attacks on individual cell phone owners. For one thing, companies that acquire this data can easily allow it to be used by the police, without a warrant. But perhaps more importantly, although the data is said to be anonymous, it is not aggregated. That means that a user number is attached to each telephone, and all of the locations of all days of use of that phone, regardless of whether apps are being used, he's tracked. It is not difficult for anyone 2 find out from the data the identity of the individual being tracked, and in fact the New York Times easily did so in a few minutes work for two individuals from whom they received permission. One easy example of identifying data is that if every night the track of a phone goes to the same residence, it's not a big stretch to find out who lives in that residence and therefore identifies all the behavior of that individual. This could open the individual to black male or other extortion by an unscrupulous employee of any of the companies that have that data.


  • Mahmudul Hasan 8
    Mahmudul Hasan Jul 18, 2018 Link to comment

    Nice Article. I've learn something new by reading this article.


  • 1
    neptar2000 Jul 17, 2018 Link to comment

    interesting piece


  • 12
    harshatecordeon Jul 17, 2018 Link to comment

    Nice info


  • 1
    Mccas Jun 13, 2018 Link to comment

    I need to disable Google a play devices while in in China for 4 weeks. If I can't my phone is unusable due to battery drain.Disable is greyed and there is no Device Administrator for Google Play Services visible in security settings Device Administrators. UmidigiZ1, international version. Advice please.


  • 1
    Izzy King Feb 26, 2018 Link to comment

    Apatently my comment was innappropriate containing errors and not allowed to be posted. I said nothing that was crude, rude, bad language or commented about Google that hasn't been posted. I'm not coming back. I doubt they approve this comment


  • 1
    Chris Constantinou Jun 22, 2017 Link to comment

    i have been using a blackberry since 2001 right up to the current Blackberry 10 OS. Blackberry have now moved over to Android OS, so i decided to buy a cheap device and see how Android works. I purchased a Sony XA. No real reason other than to try Android.....Comparing the two operating systems have left me amazed that the Blackberry 10 OS didnt sell in the right numbers to make it a success. Android looks and feels like it was built by Fisher Price and the interference and annoying behaviour by google and all the permissions a dumb app needs is shocking and downright bloody wrong. The only thing going for Android are the endless apps available to it. However most of the apps are rubbish and pointless junk. Its an awful OS aimed mainly at children, its just a money making process which is great if your the one making the money. Blackberry 10 OS wins in every other department other than apps for most people but for me it has everything i ever needed.


  • 2
    Sher muhammad Jan 29, 2017 Link to comment

    Google play store does not open in my Tablet Canaima.please solve my problem


  • 1
    Paul Pferdner Oct 13, 2016 Link to comment

    My problem with Google Play Services is not the battery life but it keeps building up 2.5+ gb of data and I have to keep clearing it out. This happens now every other day. I have no idea what this data is, I am not a very heavy user. Anyone else have this problem, and is there anything I can do about it (other than disabling it)?


  • 3
    Tin Borgman Aug 31, 2016 Link to comment

    This was a benign article failing to make it clear just how nosy google is with all the permissions we allow using google play services - even allowing it to dial phone numbers and use our cameras. We do not need google play services to use cameras and send text messages or make phone calls, I already have apps for those functions, why should I have to use google play servcies for those same functions? Furthermore, these past two weeks I have had constant warnings that my battery is low, that my RAM is used up and that I have no more storage space, and yet I've only downloaded TWO apps ever since I got this phone, Angry Birds and another which I uninstalled. I know people who download dozens and more dozens of apps. Well, I have 4 GB storage and google play services was using 3 GB in data storage. I erased the data stored. They don't need it. Neither do I.

    John LesIzzy KingLuke R


    • 2
      Luke R Aug 31, 2016 Link to comment

      I agree wholeheartedly. Google is nothing more than an invasive Big brother or worse because they're behind the scenes like Google Play services. They take pictures of the stupid little games that I play and place them on my profile. Does that speak enough as to their monopoly and control issues? And that applies to my experience far beyond Android. I wish to God I could rid my life of Google. They may as well be communists or dictators.

      John LesIzzy King


      • 1
        Izzy King Feb 26, 2018 Link to comment

        My comment was not allowed due to content. I basically reiterated what you stated and asked for advice...how can that be innappropriate and contain errors? Geez. Google is big brother on sterouds


  • 1
    Marta Cruz de Jesus Aug 23, 2016 Link to comment

    :y Google play services is frozen, out of commission.. don't know, but isn't working at all.


  • Amanda Latona 2
    Amanda Latona Jul 5, 2016 Link to comment

    I have been having problems for a few weeks with apps suddenly stopping on my Lenovo TAB 2 A8-50F tablet (I think I am Android 5.1 now), and recently I also started to get error messages from Google Play Services, stating that it needed to be updated, yet there was no link to update. I have spent some time with my tablet today, attempting to troubleshoot, and I even used an article on this site about getting Play Store to work - I deleted the cache for Store and for Services, uninstalled updates for both, restarted my tablet numerous times... I am not getting the Services error right now, but my apps are still crashing all over the place: weather.com, gmail, outlook, yahoo mail, my fitness apps (sparkpeople, FitNotes), Bible/YouVersion... this is so aggravating. Google Calendar finally synced just now, after a week of not doing it, but it "stopped" and crashed when I tried to open up an event. How do I get my apps back to working order??

    Izzy King


  • 2
    Mat Ogun May 15, 2016 Link to comment

    Help!! I have mistankenly disabled my Google play services and apps on my phone are misbehaving, how can I reable it and correct the mistake? I have tried different medium online but its still showing as disable. Its frustrating because most of my apps are going but.

    Sy Constance


    • Sy Constance 2
      Sy Constance Jul 25, 2016 Link to comment

      Go to settings,find application manager,go to disabled section, find Google play services and press enable.

      Izzy King


  • 28
    itprolonden May 11, 2016 Link to comment

    Never even gave Google Services a second thought and I still don't have the battery drain.


  • CJ Brown 29
    CJ Brown May 11, 2016 Link to comment

    Perhaps the future will require Google to make adjustments to Google Play Services so that it's not such a battery drain when in operation


  • 1
    Edin Zukic May 7, 2016 Link to comment

    All the phones that me and my wife owned (HTC 601, galaxy s3, galaxy tab 3, LG Bello, galaxy note, ) at some point experienced the nasty google play services battery drain. I would usually flash the custom ROM and never install the services.


  • Parvind Chahal 21
    Parvind Chahal May 6, 2016 Link to comment

    why they cant remove it from android.....there r many os which are secure n stable without such app......

    Izzy KingHarvey Mandel


  • 8
    Frank May 6, 2016 Link to comment

    I had high battery drain on Google Services, but I downloaded an app from the play store called Gservicefix. Now it only consumes 1% after 4.5 hrs SOT.


  • 3
    Prasad Velkuri May 6, 2016 Link to comment

    This process is the top reason I hate Android. Before Android 5 we can enable/disable it when required but now we can't do that... more hate - Major reason - They want our data at any cost to data mine. Their reasoning will be security bla bla...

    Izzy King

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