Fix error messages in the Google Play Books app on Android

You can fix issues that you find when you download, read, or listen to ebooks or audiobooks.

Step 1: Check your connection & updates

1. Make sure your Android phone or tablet is connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile network.
2. Make sure your Play Books app is up-to-date with the latest version.

Step 2: Refresh, close & reopen the app

• To refresh the app:
  1. At the bottom, tap the Home tab.
  2. Tap and hold the screen below the search bar.
  3. Swipe down to refresh.
• To close the app:
  1. Swipe up at the bottom of your screen.
  2. Swipe up to close Play Books app .
• To reopen the app: Open the Play Books app and try again.

Step 3: Check if only downloaded books are listed

1. Open the Play Books app .
2. At the bottom, tap Library.
3. Under Your books, check the Download status.
   • If filters don’t include "Downloaded," tap Not downloaded.

Step 4: Check if content is hidden

1. On your Android phone or tablet, go to Play Store.
2. At the top right, tap the Profile icon.
3. Tap Payments & subscriptions.
4. To find the book you want:
   1. Tap Budget & order history.
   2. On the left, tap More Show or hide from my library Show in my library.

Step 5: Remove & re-download the book

1. Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to Wi-Fi.
2. Open the Play Books app .
3. You can remove or re-download the book:
   • To remove the downloaded book:
     1. Press and hold on the book.
     2. Tap Remove download Remove.
   • To re-download the book:
     1. Press and hold on the book.
     2. Tap Download .

Step 6: Sync your account manually

Important: Manual sync refreshes the account data for all the user's apps made by Google, including any with auto sync turned off.

1. Open your device's Settings app.
2. Tap About Google Account Account sync.
   • If you have more than one account on your device, tap the one you want to sync.
3. Tap More Sync now.

Step 7: Check your device storage

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Storage Free up space. 
3. Choose what to remove from your device.
4. Re-download the book.

Step 8: Clear app cache & data

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps or Apps & notifications See all apps.
3. Tap Google Play Books Storage & cache Clear cache.
4. Tap Clear storage OK.
5. Open the Play Books app and sign in.
6. Re-download your books.

Step 9: Uninstall & reinstall app updates

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps or Apps & notifications See all apps.
3. Tap Google Play Books Uninstall.
4. Open the Play Store app .
5. Search for "Google Play Books."
6. Select the app. 
7. Tap Install.

Step 10: Restart your device

1. Turn off your device and then on again.
2. Open the Play Books app and try again.

Step 11: Try a different device or browser

Try to read your book in a different way, like:

• On the Web Reader.
• With the Play Books app on a different device, such as another Android device, or one on iPhone and iPad.

Pre-ordered isn’t available to read

If a book you pre-ordered was released but isn’t available to read, cancel the order and re-order the book.

1. Go to play.google.com.
2. At the top right, choose your profile icon.
3. Select Payments & subscriptions Budget & order history.
4. To cancel your pre-order, select your pre-order item and click Cancel. Then, follow the prompts.
5. Search for the book and repurchase it or, if relevant, subscribe to the series the book is in.

If you tried all the steps above and still can’t open the book, to get help, contact us.