If you switch between several Android devices and use the same Google account for each one, you’ll notice that the Google Play Store shows all of them when you want to install apps from your computer. This can sometimes get confusing. Here’s how to remove old devices from the list.
Note: This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the Google Play Store.
If your list looks like the one in the image below and you’re not using all of those devices, you’ll want to shed the old ones. The process is easy. And even though you can’t remove a device altogether, you can at least remove it from the Play Store list.
Remove Android Devices from Google Play Store List
Log in to the Google Play Store and click Settings (gear icon) on the top right side of the page, or click this link to get where you need to be easily.
On the next page you’ll see a list of all of the devices associated with your Google account. Just uncheck the ones you don’t want shown in the devices list anymore when installing apps.
Also note that here you can rename your devices by clicking the Edit link on the right end of each device’s line, type in a new one, and hit Enter. You can change your email preferences from here too.
How many old Android devices do you have on your list? Do you usually install apps from the Play Store on your computer, or directly from the device? Leave a comment below and let us know what you do.
Also, for more Android tips, make sure to check out our new site called groovyAndroid. It’s a bit sparse right now, but we’re growing the amount of content regularly.
31 Comments
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Derek
I don’t think you understand the meaning of the word “remove”.
Stubugs
I’ve just followed Bogdan’s procedure and it’s certainly REMOVED my old tablet from the Google Play Store list which comes up when I want to install a new app!
blobs
@Stubugs. You obviously don’t understand the meaning of “REMOVE”. I also agree with Derek on this case. The explanation above only “HIDES” your device from the list of DEVICES that you want apps to be installed on the devices. This article is completely misleading in every possible ways.
Dave
It used to be possible with Google Play to remove a device. That changed with updates to the software, and you can no longer remove devices the way you used to.
This article was likely written when it was still possible to remove a device, but since the article is bound to block title, changing the title would cause more problems than it’s worth.
To be fair, the author also has this note in the article:
“Note: This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the Google Play Store.”
It’s not the author’s fault google decided to remove a feature many wish they hadn’t.
Trev
He did say “Remove from list”
Brent
That is not the same thing and you know that. One has to have the ability to remove the device forever if needbe.
Aaron
My concern is that I installed an app from the play store (to emulate the Android OS on my PC)… now there is an additional phone in my listed devices… that device is located on the West coast of Africa. I didn’t use the software longe before deleting it, but now I am worried about the mystery phone and whether or not my account is vulnerable.
Maria
dude! i want to install apps on my pc, not on any other device. i wanna remove them from pc . can u help??
Logan
I installed Blue Stacks to my PC and used it to download a few apps from the GPlay store. I now have a Samsung Note with a Japanese telecom provider on my list.
I agree that “Remove” is not what these folks think it is.
Ptyson
Thanks Logan. You answered the question as to why I had a Samsung device in my list. I have never owned a Samsung device. I too have installed and uninstalled the Bluestacks piece of crap. Now off to hide it in my devices list.
I think that it is ridiculous that Google does not allow you to completely remove the device. I think that this inability to completely remove devices poses a serious future security risk.
Commodore Crush
Yes. I’m having the same problem. Had Bluestacks installed. Uninstalled. Now I have a Samsung device in my list that I’ve never owned. Also showing the West Coast of Africa. WTF?
Gil
How to REMOVE a device????
is the question here,
and not how to HIDE a device.
You DIDN’T answer the question!!!
Stubugs
@blobs No, sunshine! If you read my post much more carefully you’ll see the word “list”. The procedure certainly removed the unwanted equipment’ name from the LIST. End of!
Warrel
No it isn’t. It’s still on the list. it just doesn’t show on the drop down. But nothing has been removed.
Deependra Chaudhary
Thanks for sharing! It worked on my moto g2!
Mangesh
How to remove(not hide) old android Device from Google Account?
Jacob
I would leave feedback for Google via a survey. However, I’d also try to make it as relevant as I possibly could.
PS, I’m not subscribing to future comments.
ISharonda Brown
I wish to install apps on my new android device
Apple
This information has no use or applicability if you want to remove your device from the Google Play store. Hiding it does not remove it.
Yo'Bro
Account – Recent Activity – Devices – (click on the device you want to remove) – Remove (big red button). This removes your account from that phone (in Japan or Africa whatever), but the device will stay in the list as it shows the history of you account usage. After this change your password and check your recovery mail/question just in case and you are all set. cheers!
Logan
Yo’Bro, the whole point of this now rather fruitless post was to actually remove the device from our lists. Google has finally listened to the people complaining and made changes to the system that allows us to remove them. When this whole thing started, the process was broken.
Vince
Hi Logan, You say that it’s now possible to delete the devices ? I still don’t find how to ! Thanks
OMA
Well, the Recent Activity / Devices option you mention lets you “remove” devices but they’re still listed in this page: https://play.google.com/settings
So it seems the process is still broken…
Rude
Hi, l recently rooted my Samsung S2 GT-i9100 with KitKat 4.4.4 and need to get Google play to recognize my updated phone so l can put on apps designed for Samsung S3 & S4. Any ideas on this would be great
asim
my google play account is showing some other devices which i dont or did not own. how to delete that accounts from my list as those account do not belongs to me.
chuck
Hi guys.I moved to China and broke my old phone.(samsung s4) got a new phone (Xiao Mi Note) and when i use vpn to access my google app store and try to install an app, it shows “already installed”. So when i install it again it shows the old phone and wont pick up my new phone. Even when I install a new app it shows my old samsung phone as the only option to choose. So i chose it anyway and it installed it……aaaaaand….. nothing on my new phone…am i totaly fucked or is there a way to get google play to insatll all my old apps back onto this phone, along with new apps i download? Thanks for your help. Kind of feel trapped without my old apps. Apppreciate the help….a lot. ……Chuck
joan
i want to remove my old account but i cant sign in bcoz i dont know my old password
& now i have a new account hope ther’s someone help me how can i remove
Bogdan Bele
How about trying to recover your old password, then signing into the account and going from there?
Lewis
When i go to google play store then settings, there are devices listed there that i have never owned.
I want to know why they are there and or how did they get there.
I have never owned 3 android devices, just the same 2 but yet there are more listed.
Yes, i have reset my password many times.
Thanks
Claudia
Somehow my ex’s phone is on my play account ONLY. I removed my credit info right after I used it, he is currently spending all MY money & I can not remove his phone nor can I get google to help me!
Dipali Matkar
Hey, you can easily access Windows computers from smartohones or Tablets using tools like R-HUB remote support, logmein, Teamviewer etc.