Do you encounter the Google Play Store issue “Looks like another app is restricting access to Google Play”?
The second half of the error message is as follows: “Turn off any applications that may be drawing on the screen and try again.”
The error notice may also read, “It appears that another program is obstructing access to Google Play.”
You won’t be able to install apps, update apps, or make payments if you encounter this issue.
You can try removing updates from Google Play or turning off “Appear on top” to address the error “Looks like another app is restricting access to Google Play.”
You can also try resetting your phone to start it over from scratch.
The “Looks like another app is restricting access to Google Play” error can be resolved using the following 3 techniques:
- Method 1: Uninstall updates for Google Play
- Method 2: Disable “Appear on top”
- Method 3: Restart your phone
Method 1: Uninstall updates for Google Play
1. Go to your settings
The first approach is to remove Google Play updates.
You can get the “Looks like another app is restricting access to Google Play” error if you’ve recently updated the Google Play Store.
This is due to the error message being caused by the most recent Google Play Store update.
First, hit on the settings icon to access your settings.
2. Tap on “Apps”
Once in your settings, you’ll notice a variety of choices.
Included in this are “Google,” “Accounts and backup,” “Advanced features,” and other things.
You can discover the “Apps” option by scrolling down.
To manage your default apps and app settings, tap “Apps.”
3. Select “Google Play Store”
You’ll get a list of the apps you have on your device after tapping “Apps.”
You must locate “Google Play Store” in the list.
Until you locate the “Google Play Store” app, scroll down the list.
After that, click “Google Play Store” to view its details.
4. Tap on the three dots followed by “Uninstall updates”
When you click “Google Play Store,” you will arrive at its information.
You may now view the app’s privacy preferences, defaults, and usage.
You’ll notice three dots on your screen’s upper right corner.
To uninstall the Google Play Store updates, tap on the three dots next to “Uninstall updates.”
Open the Google Play Store and try installing an app after uninstalling the updates.
The “Looks like another app is preventing access to Google Play” bug ought to be resolved this time.
Method 2: Disable “Appear on top”
1. Open your settings
Disabling “Appear on top” for all of your apps is the second approach.
Apps can overlay one another on screens thanks to a feature known as “Screen Overlay.”
The feature occasionally results in the error message “It appears that another app is restricting access to Google Play.”
You must first touch on the settings icon to access your settings before you can disable it.
2. Tap on “Apps”
Once in your settings, you’ll notice a variety of choices.
Included in this are “Google,” “Accounts and backup,” “Advanced features,” and other things.
You can discover the “Apps” option by scrolling down.
To manage your default apps and app settings, tap “Apps.”
3. Tap on the three dots followed by “Special access”
You’ll get a list of the apps you have on your device after tapping “Apps.”
You should now find the “Special access” menu.
Tap the three dots in the top right corner of your screen to do this.
To reach the “Special access” option, press “Special access” again.
4. Select “Appear on top”
The “Special access” menu will appear when you have selected it.
There are numerous alternatives available on the menu.
This includes “Access to all files,” “Battery optimization,” “Connected personal and business apps,” and other features.
To access the “Appear on top” setting, tap “Appear on top.”
5. Disable “Appear on top” for all apps
You will arrive at the “Appear on top” setting after tapping “Appear on top.”
You will now see a list of the apps that you have given permission for to show above other apps.
You must turn off “Appear on top” for all apps in order to get rid of the “Looks like another app is preventing access to Google Play” problem.
Turn off the switches for every programme on the list to accomplish this.
After finishing, return to the Google Play Store and attempt to install an app.
The software will successfully install if the problem is fixed!
Method 3: Restart your phone
Restarting your phone is the last option.
An app that is operating in the background may be the source of the error message “Looks like another app is restricting access to Google Play.”
Press and hold the power button until you see the “Options” menu to restart your device.
To restart your device, hit “Restart” after that.
Your device will forcefully close all open apps after restarting.
To put it another way, restarting your gadget will give it a clean start.
Open the Google Play Store after restarting your smartphone and try installing an app.
The error notice must now be removed.
The software will successfully install if the problem is fixed!
Conclusion
Numerous Android users are currently encountering the “Looks like another app is preventing access to Google Play” problem as of September 2021.
A Google Play Store upgrade is understood to be the culprit of the problem.
In order to repair it, you can try uninstalling the most recent Google Play Store update.
An app that is active in the background of your device may also be the source of the issue.
You can force-quit all apps to fix this.
Here’s how to force-quit every app on your Android phone or tablet:
From the bottom of your screen, swipe upward.
To compel an app to close, swipe it up.
A different way to restart your smartphone is to hit the power button and select “Restart.”
Try again to install or update an app after restarting your smartphone.