Files by Google app not updating on your Pixel phone? Here's how to fix it

In the last couple of days, several Google Pixel and other Android device users have been facing a weird bug where they are unable to update the ‘Files by Google’ app from the Play Store, getting an error message when trying to complete the process.

I was also facing this issue on my device (Nothing Phone 2, running Android 14). Every time I tried to update the Files by Google app from the Play Store, I only received a ‘Can’t install Files by Google’ error message, inviting me to visit a troubleshooting page if the problem persisted.

By doing a search on the matter, I was able to confirm that the problem was not only happening on my device, but that there were dozens of other affected users. Everyone agreed that it started happening recently, with no apparent explanation. Notably, the app got an update on January 8, and the date appears to coincide with the period in which the reports began to emerge.

So, it is possible that the problem is related to some change made in that update. Be that as it may, it was causing frustration among several people who were unable to make the app disappear from the pending updates list. Luckily, there’s a fix, and it’s pretty simple.

To be able to update the Files by Google app again on your Pixel and other Android phones, you just have to go to its dedicated page in the Play Store, either from the search box or from the Pending Updates section. Once there, instead of tapping on ‘Update’, tap on ‘Uninstall’. The app will not be uninstalled since it is now a system app, but its installed updates will be removed.

Then, you simply have to tap on ‘Update’, and now everything should work correctly. I was able to confirm that this method works, so give it a try if you are facing the issue.

Regarding the cause of the bug, some think it is due to the fact that Files by Google is a system app, which may be causing some conflict with the latest update available. Interestingly, there was also a report of an individual dealing with the same problem, but with the Android System Webview app:

Be that as it may, you already know how to solve it, whether for Files by Google, Android System Webview and potentially any other app that you cannot update in the future.