How to Fix: Clear Google Play Store Badge / Notification (Stuck)

Infopackets Reader Samuel D. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

Recently my Galaxy s6 phone notified me via the Google Play store icon that an update was available for BlueMail (which I use for emails). I updated BlueMail, but the Google Play icon still has a badge stating that there is one update available for BlueMail. It seems that the Google Play store badge won't go away. I've tried updating the app again but there is only the option to 'launch app' and no updates. I've tried rebooting the phone and yet the Google Play store icon is still showing updates. I've searched Google for 'Google Play store stuck notification', but can't seem to find a solution. Any ideas on how to get rid of notifications on Play Store? "

My response:

I've had this issue before and it's a pain to fix, and depends on many circumstances, especially with regard to your phone brand and model, and what you have installed on the phone. Below I'll list a number of fixes.

At the end of this article I'll also share a tip that will significantly speed up your phone (while also addressing this issue).

How to Fix: Clear Google Play Store Badge / Notification (Stuck)

I own a Samsung s6 Edge with Android 7 at the time of writing. As such the article will use this phone as a reference in the steps below. Your phone brand and model, and Android version may be different than mine; as such the steps may be slightly different.

Option #1: Clear the Google Play Store Badge

The Google Play Store badge looks something like this. Notice that there is an orange "1" at the top right of the Google Play app icon. This indicates an update is available, but as Samuel mentions, the Google Play update notification is stuck.

To clear the badge:

1. Locate the Google Play icon on your phone.
    
2. Long press and hold the Google Play Store icon.
    
3. A menu should appear; tap the "clear badge" option (if available). If no menu available, try the next step below (Option #2).

Note that this may only work temporarily and you may see the Google Play store badge again. In that case, keep reading.

Option #2: Clear any Google Play Notifications from the Notification Bar

Thanks to reddit for this next suggestion. The notification bar is the menu seen when you swipe down from the top of the screen (where your WiFi and settings cog wheel is typically accessible). Clearing the notification bar will also clear a stuck Google Play store update badge.

To do so:

1. From the top of screen, swipe down to show the notification bar.
    
2. Note any [this application installed/updated] notifications listed, then swipe right to remove that notification.
    
3. Tap your Google Play app to launch it. At this point, the badge may be cleared.

If this doesn't help, try the next suggestion.

Option #3: Disable Google Play Notifications (via Play Store app settings)

Another way to prevent Google Play store stuck notifications is to disable the notifications (badges) entirely via the Play Store app settings itself.

To do so:

1. Tap the Google Play Store app to launch it.
    
2. Next, tap the sandwich menu (3 horizontal lines) at the top of the Play Store screen (it should be part of the search bar).
    
3. This will bring up a menu; tap the "Settings" menu option, then "Notifications".
    
4. Tap the slide button to disable "Updates" (notify when updates for your apps are available).
    
5. Tap the slide button to disable "Auto-updates" (notify when play automatically updates your apps).
    
6. Press the "App" button, then close all your apps. Go to the Home screen and then launch Google Play again.

If you still see a Google Play badge update notification, try the next suggestion.

Option #4: Manually Reinstall Google Play (Force Stop / Clear Cache / Disable / Re-enable)

A tried-and-true method of resetting / reinstalling a system app (one that cannot be uninstalled) is to Force Stop the app, Clear Cache, Disable, then Enable, and re-launch the app - specifically in that order.

To do so:

1. Swipe from the top of your screen to bring up the notification bar, then tap the "Settings" (cogwheel) icon.
    
2. Tap the "Apps" menu to bring up the list of all installed apps on your phone.
    
3. Tap the Google Play Store app to view its app settings.
    
4. Tap "Force stop", then go to "Storage", then tap "Clear cache", then "Clear Data". You will receive a notification "All of this application's data will be deleted permanently"; tap OK to accept the changes.
    
5. Go back to the previous screen where "Disable" and "Force stop" options are located, then tap "Disable". This will disable the current version of Google Play store and roll it back to factory version. Tap OK if it asks for permission.
    
6. Next, tap "Back" on the phone to go back to the list of installed apps on the phone.
    
7. Tap Google Play Services icon, then go to "Storage" and tap "Clear cache". On the same screen, tap "Manage storage", then on the next screen, tap "Clear all data".
    
8. Tap "Back" to go back to see all the installed apps on the phone. Tap the "Google Play services for Inst.." (if it's installed on your phone), then click "Force stop", then tap "Storage" and "Clear Cache", then "Clear Data". Next, tap the "Back" arrow near the top of the screen, then tap the "Uninstall" button.
    
9. Finally, reboot by holding down the power button on the phone and select "Reboot".
    
10. After reboot, swipe down from the top of the screen and go back to "Settings" (cogwheel) and tap on "Apps" to see the list of installed apps on the phone. Locate Google Play, and tap "Disable" to ensure the app is still disabled. Next, tap "Storage" and then "Clear Cache" once more. Press the "Back" arrow at the top, then tape "Force stop" once more, then "Enable".
     
11. Launch the Google Play Store app again. Note that if you had the Play Store app icon on the Home screen it may have been removed. In this case you will need to tap the "Apps" icon on the main screen [pic] (it looks like 3 white or grey dots horizontal by 3 dots vertical), then search for Google Play, long press and hold the icon, then drag it to your Home screen. Once it's on the Home screen, tap the Google Play icon to launch it. This will effectively re-initialize the app after clearing it, and at this point your Google Play update badge notification should be cleared.

Option #5: Wipe the System Cache (Bonus Tip)

Yet another option is to wipe the system cache if you're experiencing strange issues with the phone. It's been noted that over time, the system cache gets clogged up from writing and deleting information, which can also really slow your phone down. Resetting the system cache has been reported to significantly speed up the phone as well.

To do so:

1. Power off the phone and wait 10 seconds.
    
2. For Samsung s6 (edge): press Volume Up + Home + Power button all at the same time (and keep it held) for about 5-10 seconds; this will bring up the Android Recovery menu. On other phones, the key press combination may be Volume Up + Volume Down + Power button. If that still doesn't work you may need a different button combination - search Google for your make and model #, along with the words "wipe cache partition".
    
3. Assuming the key press works: you may see a screen that says "Installing system update", then after about 30 seconds it may say "No command". Important: wait about a minute and the "Android Recovery" screen should appear. If it doesn't appear after a minute try pressing the Volume Up and Down button, or the Home screen button.
    
4. Next, use volume buttons to move through the menu and highlight the "Wipe cache partition". Use the power button to select the option. Be very careful you do not select Wipe Data / Factory reset or you'll wipe out the entire phone! When complete, reboot the phone.

Hopefully this should fix it!

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About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.