How to Fix Google Play Store Error 493
What error 493 means
Error 493 shows up in the Google Play Store when an app download or install fails outright. The message reads something like “App could not be downloaded due to an error. (493)” — and unlike errors that appear while a download is still progressing, 493 tends to kill the install right at the start or right when it should finish.
What makes 493 different from most other Play Store error numbers is the cause: this one is usually about the package itself, not your network. The store either finds its own cached copy of the package corrupted, or it runs into leftovers from a previous installation of the same app that conflict with the new files. The result is the same — the install is rejected and you get the 493 code.
One especially common scenario is an app you once had installed from outside the Play Store, or one you partially uninstalled. Fragments of the old package can linger in your storage, and when the Play Store tries to lay down its version on top, the conflict trips error 493.
Common causes
- Corrupted Play Store cache or data: damaged temporary files confuse the store’s installer.
- Leftover files from a previous install: old app data or stray APK files conflict with the new package.
- Conflicting sideloaded version: an app installed from an APK with a different signature blocks the Play Store version.
- SD card or storage problems: a faulty, full, or badly mounted SD card breaks the unpacking step.
- Stale Google account session: a desynchronized sign-in token makes Google’s servers refuse the install.
How to fix error 493 — step by step
Work through these fixes in order. Error 493 is a packaging problem, so the early steps — clearing the corrupted cache and removing leftover files — fix it for most people.
- Clear the Play Store’s cache and data. Open Settings, then go to Apps > See all apps > Google Play Store > Storage & cache. Tap Clear cache, then Clear storage (or Clear data). Then open Google Play Services the same way and tap Clear cache. Reopen the Play Store and try installing the app again.
- Uninstall the app completely, then reinstall. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps, find the app that fails with error 493, and tap Uninstall. Also check your file manager’s Downloads folder and delete any leftover APK or installer files from that app. Then reinstall it fresh from the Play Store.
- Remove and re-add your Google account. Open Settings > Passwords & accounts, tap your Google account, then Remove account. Restart your phone, then go back to Settings > Passwords & accounts > Add account > Google and sign in again. This refreshes the sign-in session and often clears stubborn install errors.
- Free up space and keep the app on internal storage. Open Settings > Storage and make sure you have plenty of free space — apps need working room to unpack. If the app lives on an SD card, open its App info > Storage > Change and move it to Internal shared storage, or temporarily remove the SD card and install to internal storage instead.
- Uninstall Play Store updates. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Google Play Store, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Uninstall updates. The Play Store reverts to its factory version and will update itself again. This clears out a corrupted store update that can trigger error 493.
- Reset app preferences and restart. Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset app preferences, then tap Reset apps. This re-enables disabled system apps and clears default-app rules without deleting any data. Restart your phone and try the install one more time.
Did this fix it? Quick checklist
- The app installs from the Play Store without error 493
- No leftover APK or old app files remain in your storage
- Your Google account is signed in correctly in the Play Store
- There is enough free space on internal storage
If 493 still won’t go away, try installing a different app from the Play Store to see whether the problem is store-wide or specific to one app. If it’s only one app, contact that app’s developer through its Play Store listing — the issue may be a bad update on their end. A factory reset fixes it as a last resort, but back up your phone first.
Frequently asked questions
What causes error 493 in the Google Play Store?
Corrupted temporary files in the Play Store, leftover files from a previous install of the same app, a conflicting sideloaded version, or storage trouble (especially SD-card issues). The store refuses to install the package, so it aborts with error 493.
Can error 493 happen because I sideloaded the app before?
Yes. If you installed the app from outside the Play Store (an APK) with a different signature, the Play Store version conflicts with the leftover data. Uninstalling the app completely and deleting stray installer files usually lets the clean Play Store install go through.
Will clearing Play Store data delete my apps or files?
No. Clearing cache or storage for the Play Store only removes its temporary files and internal settings — your installed apps, photos, and personal data stay untouched. You may need to re-accept a couple of Play Store settings afterward.
Do I need to factory reset to fix error 493?
Almost never. The six steps above fix error 493 in the vast majority of cases — it is almost always a corrupted cache, leftover files, or a storage issue. A factory reset is a last resort for when every other fix has failed, and it requires a full backup first.