How to Fix "Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play"

How to Fix "Looks Like Another App is Blocking Access to Google Play" Error

Has this ever happened to you? You open the Google Play Store on your Android phone, excited to download a cool new app or game. But instead of taking you to the app‘s page, a frustrating error message pops up:

"Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play. Turn off any apps that might be drawing over the screen and try again."

Suddenly, you‘re locked out of the Play Store with no idea why or how to fix it. Don‘t worry – you‘re not alone. Many Android users have been running into the "app blocking Google Play" issue lately. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

In this guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly what‘s causing the "Looks like another app is blocking access" error and provide step-by-step instructions (with screenshots) for getting the Google Play Store up and running smoothly again. By the end, you‘ll be back to downloading and updating apps with ease.

What Does "Another App is Blocking Access to Google Play" Mean?

First, let‘s clarify what this error message is trying to tell you. Basically, Android has detected that some other app on your phone is "drawing over" the Google Play Store screen. This could be an app that shows floating UI elements, chat heads, on-screen buttons, or other overlays on top of the Play Store.

Common culprits include screen dimming apps, battery savers, accent color customizers, night mode apps, and some accessibility tools. Even popular apps like Facebook Messenger, Twilight, and Drupe have been known to trigger the "app blocking Google Play" error due to their overlay/floating UI features.

The reason Android blocks access to Google Play in this scenario is security. Scammers could potentially create fake "overlay" buttons on the Play Store screen that trick you into making unauthorized purchases or downloading malware. To prevent this, Google doesn‘t allow any overlays in the Play Store and shows the "turn off apps drawing over the screen" message.

While this precaution makes sense, it can be very annoying when a legitimate app blocks your Play Store access. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to bypass the restrictions and use the Play Store normally again.

How to Fix "App Blocking Access to Google Play Store"

Here are 6 methods you can use to troubleshoot the "Looks like another app is blocking access" error on Android, from easiest to most drastic:

Method 1: Restart Your Phone
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If a rogue app or process is blocking Google Play, a quick restart of your Android device may be enough to kill the overlay and restore Play Store access.

Here‘s how:

1. Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds
2. Tap "Restart" on the power menu that appears
3. Wait for your phone to fully power off and back on
4. Open the Google Play Store and see if the "app blocking" error is gone

If the issue persists after a restart, move on to the next method. But always try this first – it takes less than a minute and often does the trick!

Method 2: Uninstall Google Play Store Updates
If you started getting the "app is blocking access" error after updating the Google Play Store, there may be a bug or incompatibility with the latest Play Store version on your device. Rolling back to a previous version can help in this case.

To uninstall updates for the Google Play Store app:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device
2. Tap "Apps & Notifications" then "See all X apps"
3. Scroll down and tap "Google Play Store"
4. Tap the three-dot menu icon and select "Uninstall Updates"
5. Tap "OK" to confirm
6. Relaunch Google Play Store and check if the error message appears

After this, do NOT update the Play Store app again until a newer version comes out with bug fixes. Enable auto update for other apps in the meantime.

Method 3: Disable "Appear On Top" Permission For Apps
The "Appear on top" (also called "Draw over other apps") special permission allows an app to display content over other apps. While useful in some cases, it can block Play Store access if misused.

To selectively disable the permission for potential culprit apps:

1. Open Settings and go to Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special app access
2. Tap "Display over other apps" (or "Appear on top" or "Draw over other apps" depending on your Android version)
3. You‘ll see a list of apps that have the overlay permission allowed
4. For each app, tap the toggle to revoke the "Appear on top" permission
5. Once finished, restart your phone
6. Check if the Play Store "app blocking access" error still occurs

Focus on disabling overlay permissions for apps you don‘t recognize or use often first. If the problem persists, try turning off "Appear on top" for ALL apps one by one. Just be sure to re-enable the permission afterward for apps that need it to function properly.

Method 4: Clear Google Play Store Data & Cache
Corrupted data or an overloaded cache can sometimes cause the Play Store app to misbehave. Clearing the app data and cache gives it a fresh start.

Here‘s how:

1. Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > See all apps
2. Scroll to "Google Play Store" and tap it
3. Tap "Storage & cache"
4. Hit "Clear storage" then "Clear cache"
5. Restart your device
6. Open Play Store again and see if it works normally

Keep in mind this will delete your Play Store search history and in-app preferences. But it won‘t uninstall any of your downloaded apps or affect app data. If clearing data/cache doesn‘t work, repeat the process for Google Play Services as well.

Method 5: Check For Malware & Rogue Apps
In rare cases, malicious apps can hijack your screen with invisible overlays to steal data or commit ad fraud. If you suspect malware is causing the "Looks like another app is blocking access" error, you need to track it down and remove it ASAP.

Some signs of an Android virus include:

• New apps appearing that you don‘t remember installing
• Sudden pop up ads and notifications
• Unexplained data usage
• Rapid battery drain
• Overall sluggish performance

If you notice any of these red flags, try these steps:

1. Boot your Android phone into Safe Mode (this disables all 3rd party apps, isolating potential malware)
2. Open Play Store and see if you can access it without the "app blocking" error in Safe Mode
3. If Play Store works in Safe Mode, the problem is almost certainly a recently installed malicious app
4. Review your installed apps and uninstall any you don‘t recognize or haven‘t used in a while
5. Install a reputable mobile antivirus app and run a full device scan
6. Remove any threats found and restart your phone

Avoid getting reinfected by only downloading apps from the official Google Play Store. Stick to well-known, highly rated apps and always check reviews before installing.

Method 6: Factory Reset Your Phone
If you‘ve tried all the methods above and still can‘t shake the "app is blocking access to Google Play" message, a factory reset is the "nuclear option". This will erase all data and restore your Android device to its original software state.

Before resetting:

• Back up any important files, photos, and app data you want to keep
• Make sure your Google account is synced
• Charge your phone to at least 50% battery

To factory reset:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap "System" then "Reset options"
3. Select "Erase all data (factory reset)"
4. If prompted, enter your device PIN/password
5. Tap "Reset phone" to begin the process

Once your phone reboots, you‘ll have to set it up again from scratch. But the "Looks like another app is blocking access to Google Play" error should be gone for good. Selectively reinstall apps and keep an eye out for any that trigger the error again.

Why Are More Users Seeing The "Another App is Blocking Access" Error?

Over the past year or so, Android users have been encountering the dreaded "app blocking Google Play" message more frequently. There are a few key reasons for this sudden surge:

1. Google is cracking down harder on malicious apps and setting stricter limits on what actions apps can perform in the background. The Play Store app now blocks more types of overlays for security.

2. Android 10 and up include more special permissions that limit what apps can do. Older apps that haven‘t been updated for compatibility with new Android versions are getting flagged for suspicious overlay behaviors.

3. With people spending more time on their phones during the pandemic, Android devices are getting bogged down by heavier use. This can "confuse" the OS into thinking certain app processes are threats.

4. Sadly, malware, adware, and fleeceware apps are still slipping into the Google Play Store and infecting users. These sneaky apps often abuse overlay permissions to cause the "blocking Play Store access" issue.

The good news is Google is aware of the problem and actively working on fixes. Newer Android updates should patch vulnerabilities and make it harder for sketchy apps to take over your screen. The Play Store approval process is getting better at catching bad actors as well.

Tips to Prevent "App Blocking Play Store Access" Errors

While you can‘t completely eliminate the risk of seeing the "Looks like another app is blocking access" message, there are steps you can take to minimize it:

• Regularly update your apps and Android operating system. This patches security holes and ensures maximum compatibility.

• Review the special permissions for your installed apps. If an app wants to "Draw over other apps" or "Appear on top", make sure it actually needs that ability to function.

• Be very cautious about which apps you grant the "Display over other apps" permission to. Stick to reputable, well-reviewed apps from known developers.

• Avoid installing apps from outside the Google Play Store. Unofficial app markets don‘t vet apps for safety and are much riskier.

• Pay attention to your Android device‘s performance. If you notice a sudden slowdown, reduced battery life, or weird behaviors after installing a new app, investigate it.

• Consider using a reliable Android antivirus app. While not bulletproof, it can help detect and stop mobile malware infections before they cause issues like blocking the Play Store.

• When in doubt, trust your gut. If an app or process seems suspicious, don‘t give it access to your device. Take a few minutes to research it before deciding whether to keep it installed.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Why is My Play Store Blocked"

Q: Can this issue occur on any Android device?
A: Yes, all Android phones and tablets can potentially encounter the "app blocking Google Play" error if they have apps installed that interfere with the Play Store‘s normal functions.

Q: What Android versions are affected?
A: The "Looks like another app is blocking access" message can show up on any Android version, but is most common on Android 9, 10, 11, and 12 due to stricter app overlay policies. Older Android devices may still see the error though.

Q: Does this mean my phone has a virus?
A: Not necessarily. While the issue CAN be caused by malware, most of the time it‘s due to a legitimate app‘s overlay features conflicting with the Play Store‘s security restrictions. Rule out other causes first before assuming it‘s a virus.

Q: Can I just ignore the "app is blocking access" message?
A: You can dismiss the pop-up, but it will reappear anytime you try to access the Play Store until you resolve the underlying cause. It‘s best to troubleshoot it using the methods above so you can resume normal use of the Play Store.

Q: Will uninstalling updates or clearing data delete my apps?
A: No, uninstalling Play Store updates or clearing its app data will not remove any of your installed apps or their data. You‘ll keep all your downloads. It only affects the Play Store app itself.

Q: Why does this only happen with the Play Store and not other apps?
A: Google purposely blocks overlays on the Play Store app for security and to prevent accidental purchases or downloads. Most other Android apps are not as sensitive to screen overlays.

Q: How can I get help if I‘m still seeing the "app is blocking access" error?
A: You can contact the official Google Play Store support team by opening the Play Store Help center, scrolling to the bottom, and tapping "Contact us". Explain your issue and what troubleshooting you‘ve tried so far in detail.

The Bottom Line on Fixing "Looks Like Another App is Blocking Access to Google Play"

Don‘t let the dreaded "app is blocking Google Play" error keep you from enjoying your favorite Android apps and games. While it can be alarming to suddenly see a message accusing another app of blocking access to the Play Store, it‘s usually a quick fix.

Start by restarting your Android device and disabling "Appear on top" permissions for suspicious apps. If the issue continues, uninstalling Play Store updates, booting into Safe Mode to check for malware, or clearing the Play Store cache should do the trick.

Remember, this is a common Android problem that Google is working hard to stamp out. But in the meantime, a little detective work and troubleshooting can resolve the "Looks like another app is blocking access" error and get your Play Store back up and running.

Do you have any other tips for fixing Play Store access issues? Let me know in the comments!