How to Add a Device in Google Play

^{Article Updated on August 7, 2022, to reflect current details on adding devices to Google Play.}

Getting a new phone or tablet is exciting. But, you’ll have to go through the long process of transferring your data, apps, and accounts over to the new device. When you add a device to your existing Google Play account, you can transfer apps, games, and even game progress.

Fortunately, adding your new device to your Google Play account isn’t too difficult. This article will walk you through the various methods to add your device to your Google Play account.

How to Add a Device to Google Play

There are a couple of ways to add your device to your Google Play account. We’ll review all of your options in this section.

Add Your Google Account in ‘Settings’

We’ll start by covering how to add your Google account using your device’s Settings. Not only will this add your device to your Play Store account, but it’ll also add any affiliated contacts, Google Photos, and your Gmail. So, let’s get started:

Note: These instructions may vary slightly depending on your Android version and device manufacturer.

1. Launch the Settings app on your Android, Chromebook, or iOS device.
2. Next, you need to select Accounts (Users and Accounts on some devices) > Add account > Google.
   
3. Enter your Google credentials (the ones you use for Gmail), press Next, and follow the on-screen instructions.
   
4. You now have a new Google account attached to the device, meaning you have successfully added a new device to the Google Play Store.

Whenever you open the Play Store app, it connects to the Google account associated with your device in the Settings. You can easily switch between accounts within the app, but they must be registered on the device to become selectable. Doing so enables you to attach Google accounts to the currently used smartphone, Chromebook, or tablet.

This scenario means that you can register a Google account on any device, and it will get linked to that device within the Play Store, therefore adding a new device. Now, if you were to access the Play Store in a web browser, any apps you choose to install will have the option to select the devices (those within your Google Account).

So, if you get a second phone, add your Google account, and connect to the Play Store app, that phone is now a new device in your Play Store account.

Add Your Google Account to the Play Store

Another option is to add your Google account directly to the Play Store. This option is especially useful if you have multiple Google accounts and would like to toggle between them easily.

Here is how to add a device to your Google Play account:

1. Open the Google Play Store and tap on the profile icon in the upper right-hand corner.
   
2. Tap on the down arrow to the right of your existing Google account.
   
3. Tap Add Another Account.
   
4. Input the Google credentials affiliated with the Play Store account you’d like to use.

Now, you can toggle between your Google accounts by tapping on the profile icon and selecting the account you’d like to use.

Adding a Payment Method to Google Play

Now that you’ve added your account to the new device, you will need to set up a payment method to buy apps, books, movies, or TV shows within your account and on your selected devices. You can only download free apps and games without a payment method on any device.

Follow the instructions to add your preferred payment method to Your Google Play account:

1. Visit the official Google Play payment methods website on any browser.
   
2. Tap on Add credit or debit card below the Add payment method tab on the site.
   
3. Enter your card number, expiry date, and CVC. Then, add your name and billing address.
   
4. Press Save, and your payment method will be saved.
   

You can also add a new payment method in the Google Play Store app. Here’s how:

1. Open the Google Play Store and tap on the profile icon in the upper right-hand corner. Then, select Payments & Subscriptions.
   
2. Tap on Payment Methods.
   
3. Finally, tap on Add debit or credit card and input your card information. You can also add a PayPal account if you’d prefer.
   

If you need to cancel or reactivate any subscriptions you have, tap on Subscriptions in step 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Google Play Store is vital to your ability to use an Android device. If you have more questions, keep reading.

Do I need to authorize a new device for Google Play?

No. But depending on your Google account security settings, you may need to approve the sign-in using two-factor authentication or on your old device.

How do I switch between multiple accounts?

If you have multiple Google accounts, you can add them all using the steps above. Once added, all you need to do is tap on the profile icon, then the down arrow to the right of your current Google account. Then, you can select the other account you’d like to use.

Switching between accounts is especially useful for sharing purchases and apps.

Can I use the Google Play Store on an iPhone?

No. But you can use other Google Play apps such as Google Play Music. To access these apps, all you need to do is visit Apple’s App Store and search for the one you want. After you’ve downloaded it, you can sign into your Google account just as we did above, and you’re all set.

What devices are compatible with Google Play?

Google is a global company offering Play services on hundreds of devices running Android OS and Chrome OS. If you want to check device compatibility, you can go to this website to view Android OS-compatible devices or this website to view Chrome OS devices.

To make finding your device simpler, use the Control+F keyboard command and type the name of your device. If your device isn’t compatible with Google Play, you can try installing an emulator like Blue Stacks to add Google Play.

Devices and Google Play

Switching between Google Play accounts is easy. The process is a bit more tedious when you want to change devices due to security protocols. Google will send you an email or a text warning you about someone accessing your Google Play account from a different device.

Confirm that it’s you who is accessing the account, and you should be able to use your Google Play account on a different device in no time.