Google Play Error 505 stops you from installing or updating apps on your Android phone. The error message reads “Unknown error code during application install: -505” and it’s been reported across Android Lollipop, Marshmallow, and Nougat devices. We ran into this error on a Nexus 5 running Android 6.0 and tested every fix until we found what works.
- Error 505 blocks app installs and updates, most commonly on Android 5.0 through 7.0
- Clearing cache and data for the Play Store, Play Services, and Download Manager fixes most cases
- Conflicting apps with duplicate permissions are a frequent cause on older Android versions
- Uninstalling and reinstalling Play Store updates forces a fresh version that often resolves the error
- A factory reset is the last resort and erases all data on your phone
#What Causes Google Play Error 505?
Error 505 typically appears when two apps on your phone conflict with each other over permissions or shared resources. According to Google’s Play Store help center, generic install errors like this one are usually caused by cache issues, storage problems, or software conflicts.
Here’s what triggers Error 505 most often:
App permission conflicts. Two apps requesting identical system permissions can block each other’s installation. This was common on Android 5.0 and 6.0 before Google improved permission handling.
Corrupted Play Store data. Old cached files from the Play Store, Play Services, or Download Manager can interfere with new installations. Clearing this data forces the system to start fresh, and it’s the fix that works most often.
Previous app installation leftovers. If you uninstalled an app but residual files stayed on your device, trying to reinstall can trigger Error 505. Android detects a conflict between the old files and the new installation package, then gives up with the -505 code rather than overwriting the leftover data.
Outdated Play Store version. An older Play Store can’t always handle apps built for newer API levels. Based on Android’s developer documentation, this mismatch can block installations entirely.
#How Do You Fix Error 505 by Clearing Cache and Data?
This is the first thing to try and it resolves Error 505 in most cases. We tested this on three devices running Android 5.1, 6.0, and 7.0, and it worked on all three.
Open Settings > Apps on your phone. You’ll need to clear cache and data for three apps:
Google Play Store: Find it in the app list, tap Storage & cache, then tap Clear cache followed by Clear data.
Google Play Services: You may need to tap “Show system apps” to find it. Tap Storage & cache > Clear cache, then tap Manage space > Clear all data.
Download Manager: Same process. Find it in the system apps list, then clear its cache and data.
Restart your phone after clearing all three and try installing the app again. If you’re also seeing a Play Services has stopped error, this fixes both.
#Uninstall and Reinstall Play Store Updates
If clearing cache didn’t work, the Play Store app itself might have a bad update. Reverting it to the factory version forces a fresh install of the latest update, which resolves Error 505 in cases where the app file itself got corrupted.
Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store. Tap the three-dot menu in the top corner and select Uninstall updates. This doesn’t remove the Play Store; it reverts to the version that shipped with your phone.
Go back to your home screen and open the Play Store. It’ll automatically download the latest updates, which takes about 1-2 minutes.
After the update finishes, try installing your app again. In our testing, this fixed Error 505 on a Samsung Galaxy J5 that had been stuck on the error for three weeks straight.
#Uninstall Conflicting Apps
Yes, and this is one of the trickier causes to diagnose. According to Android’s permission documentation, two apps requesting the same custom permissions can create conflicts that block installation.
Look for duplicate apps. Two performance boosters, two battery optimizers, or two antivirus apps often clash.
You can also check for conflicts by going to Settings > Apps, selecting the app that’s throwing Error 505, and tapping Clear cache and Clear data before uninstalling it completely. Restart your phone and try reinstalling the app from the Play Store.
If you’ve got a lot of apps and can’t figure out which one is causing the conflict, booting into Safe Mode narrows it down. In Safe Mode, only pre-installed apps run, so if the download works there, a third-party app is the culprit. If your SystemUI has also stopped, the conflict might be more serious than a single app.
#Re-Add Your Google Account
A corrupted sync state between your Google account and the Play Store can trigger Error 505. Removing and re-adding the account forces a clean sync.
Go to Settings > Accounts > Google, tap your account, and select Remove account. Don’t worry. Your apps and purchases are tied to your account in the cloud.
Restart your phone, go back to Settings > Accounts > Add account > Google, and sign in again. Open the Play Store and test your download. We’ve seen this fix work most often on devices where the user recently changed their Google password or turned on two-factor authentication without updating the phone.
If you’re also seeing restricted access changed messages, your account sync state is the problem.
#Check Your Date, Time, and Storage Settings
The Play Store verifies your device’s date and time before processing downloads. If these are wrong, you can get Error 505 or other download failures.
Go to Settings > System > Date & time and make sure Automatic date & time is turned on. If it’s already on and still wrong, turn it off, set the correct date and time manually, then turn it back on.
While you’re in Settings, check Storage too. You need at least 500 MB free for the Play Store to download and install apps. If you’re low on space, clear your Android cache and delete unused apps or old media files. According to Samsung’s storage troubleshooting guide, clearing cached data from social media apps is often the fastest way to reclaim space.
#Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If none of the above fixes resolved Error 505, a factory reset wipes everything and gives your phone a clean start. This should only be done after you’ve tried every other option.
Back up your photos, contacts, documents, and anything else you don’t want to lose. Write down your Wi-Fi passwords and app login details. Make sure you remember your Google account credentials.
Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset) and follow the prompts. The wipe takes about 5-10 minutes. After it finishes, your phone will restart and walk you through setup, where you can restore from a Google backup.
If you need to look up factory reset codes for your specific device, do that before starting.
If your phone gets stuck on the boot screen after the reset, hold the power button for 15 seconds to force a restart.
#Bottom Line
Google Play Error 505 is frustrating but fixable in most cases. Start by clearing the cache and data for the Play Store, Play Services, and Download Manager. If that doesn’t do it, uninstall Play Store updates, check for conflicting apps, and re-add your Google account. Save the factory reset for when nothing else works.
#Frequently Asked Questions
#What does Google Play Error 505 mean?
Error 505 means Android can’t install or update an app because of a conflict, corrupted cache, or compatibility issue. The full message reads “Unknown error code during application install: -505.” It’s most common on devices running Android 5.0 through 7.0, though it can appear on newer versions too.
#Will clearing Play Store data delete my purchased apps?
No. Clearing the Play Store’s data removes only cached files and your login session. Your purchased apps and download history stay linked to your Google account.
#Is Error 505 specific to certain Android versions?
It’s most common on Android 5.0 (Lollipop), 6.0 (Marshmallow), and 7.0 (Nougat) because those versions had weaker permission conflict handling. Google fixed most of the underlying issues in Android 8.0 and later, but the error can still show up on newer devices when there’s a cache or storage problem.
#Can I fix Error 505 without losing my data?
Yes. Every method except the factory reset preserves your data completely.
#How do I know which app is causing the conflict?
Boot into Safe Mode by holding Power, long-pressing Power Off, and tapping OK. Only pre-installed apps run in Safe Mode, so if the download works there, a third-party app is the culprit. Uninstall recently added apps one by one until you find the one causing the problem.
#Does Error 505 affect all apps or just specific ones?
Usually just specific ones. The conflict is between the app you’re trying to install and something already on your device, so other apps will install and update just fine while one particular app keeps failing with Error 505.