When you see the message “Authentication is required” on your Play Store, it means that your Google account needs to be verified in order to access and download apps from the Play Store. This error usually occurs when there is a problem with the authentication process or when the account credentials are not properly recognized by the system.
There could be a few reasons why this error occurs. It could be due to a temporary issue with the Play Store servers, a problem with your internet connection, or an issue with your Google account itself. Sometimes, this error can also occur if you have recently changed your Google account password and haven’t updated it on your device.
To resolve this issue, one of the recommended solutions is to remove and re-add your Google account on your phone. This process will refresh the authentication and ensure that your account is properly recognized by the Play Store. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Settings app on your phone. You can usually find it in your app drawer or by swiping down from the top of your screen and tapping the gear icon.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Accounts” or “Users & accounts”, depending on your device.
3. Look for the option that says “Google” or “Google Account” and tap on it. If you have multiple Google accounts listed, make sure to select the one that is associated with the Play Store.
4. Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen and select “Remove account” or “Remove”.
5. A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you want to remove the account. Tap on “Remove account” to proceed.
6. Once the account is removed, go back to the main screen of the Settings app and tap on “Accounts” or “Users & accounts” again.
7. Tap on “Add account” or the “+” button and select “Google” from the list of account types.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your Google account credentials, including your email address and password.
9. After successfully adding the account, go back to the Play Store and check if the “Authentication is required” error is resolved.
By removing and re-adding your Google account, you are essentially refreshing the authentication process and ensuring that your account is properly recognized by the Play Store. This should resolve any authentication issues and allow you to access and download apps from the Play Store without encountering the error message.
If the issue persists even after removing and re-adding your Google account, you may want to try other troubleshooting steps such as clearing the cache and data of the Play Store app, updating your device’s software, or contacting Google support for further assistance.