How to fix Error Authentication is required on Google Play Store

If the "Authentication required" error in Google Play Store appeared and prevents you from installing apps, restart your device. Turn your device off and turn it back on, so that the Google Play Store app, and the entire operating system will be restarted. Once your device powers back on, try installing the app(s).

Corrupt data and cache files can be the reason for the "Authentication required" error in Google Play Store. In order to fix this error, you need to clear the corrupt files. You can clear the data and cache files of Google Play Store and all the related Google apps by following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings > Apps/Application Manager;
2. Select Apps/Applications Manager;
   

   
   
   

3. Select Google Play Store from the list and tap on the clear data and clear cache buttons;
4. Select Google Services Framework from the list and tap on the clear data and clear cache buttons;
5. Select Google Play Service from the list and tap on the clear data and clear cache buttons;
6. Select Download Manager and tap on the clear data and clear cache buttons.

   
   
   

The video tutorial below demonstrates how to clear app data and cache files (taken on a Samsung Galaxy device, running on Android OS 8 - steps may vary from one device to another):

Maybe the error message "Authentication required" in Google Play is related to your Google account. Maybe the connection between your Google account and the Google Play app is severed, and due to this, the Google Play app won't work (can't connect to Google's servers). A simple way to resolve the issue, in this case, is logging out from your Google account and logging back into it.

To log out from your Google account, following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings, tap on Accounts and backup (or just Accounts); 
   

   

   
   
2. Tap on Accounts and select Google;
   

   
   
   

3. Select the Google account you are logged in with and then tap on Remove Account;
   

   
   
   

4. Restart your Android device;
5. Sign back in to your Google account.

It is possible that the internet connection you are connected to is unstable, or overloaded, thus causing this error message. If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or mobile data. Also, whenever you switch between connections, restart the Google Play Store app through the app switcher and try to download and install the app again.

You can improve the Internet connection in the following ways:

• Buy a signal booster (if you live in a house);
• Buy a stronger router;
• Position your router in a central, higher area of your house, or apartment;
• Switch to a more stable Internet provider (this should be a last-resort option).
  
  

Discover more solutions to improving the Internet connection, via the slow Internet guide.

Maybe the latest version of the Google Play Store app is the reason for the "Authentication required" error message, probably because it was downloaded and installed improperly. Revert the Google Play Store app to the default version, by following the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to Settings and tap on Application Manager/Apps;
2. Tap on Google Play Store, and select Uninstall updates;
   

   
   
   

3. Tap on OK to confirm; 
4. Open the Google Play Store app.
   
   

The video guide below demonstrates how to uninstall updates:

Note: The video above is taken on a Samsung Galaxy device, running on Android OS 8 - the steps described may slightly vary from one device to another

It is possible that the currently installed version of the operating system on your device is the reason for the error "Authentication required" in Google Play, maybe due to a conflict with apps optimized for newer operating system versions.

Check if an update is available and install it, if one is available. Usually, updates should be installed automatically, however, it's best to check manually, too, if an update is available.

To update the device's operating system to the latest version, follow the steps below:

Another way to fix the "Authentication required" error is by wiping the cache partition, via the recovery menu. Wiping the cache partition is one of the options available in this secret menu, whose purpose is to help you fix your device if the operating system is inaccessible.

In order to access the recovery mode and wipe the cache partition, follow these steps: 

1. Power off the device. If you can't do that using the power button, just remove the battery and insert it after 10 seconds.
   
   
2. Press and hold the Volume (+) up and the Power (Sleep/Wake) buttons. Once your device turns on, let go of the buttons.
   * If you use a Samsung device, press the Power (Sleep/Wake), Volume (+) up and Home button.
   
   
3. Press the Volume up or Volume down key to navigate through the options. Highlight the Wipe cache partition then press the Power (Sleep/Wake) key to make the selection.
   
   

   

If none of the other solutions worked, reset your device to its factory settings. This course of action will remove the corrupt system files from your device, and replace them with clean versions.

To reset your device to its factory settings, follow the steps below:

1. Backup your device's data to any cloud storage service (e.g. to Google Drive, Dropbox) or to a computer;
2. Go to Settings;
3. Tap on Reset and tap on the factory reset option.
   
   

Feel free to watch the tutorial below, on how to reset your device (recorded on a Samsung Galaxy device, running on Android 8 - the steps described may vary from one device to another):

Note: Make sure that your device is fully charged before resetting it, to avoid additional complications. Also, do make a backup of your personal files (photos, videos, music, and other documents), so that they are safely stored.