How to fix Error 963 in Google Play Store - Download/Update error

Here are some quick tips on how to fix Error 963 in Google Play Store while updating apps in Google Play Store on their Android phone or tablet. The "app" could not be downloaded due to error (963), means users can't download or update apps like Fall out shelter, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, League of Heroes, Clash of Clans, Empire & Allies, Facebook, Lyft etc. The most effective fix for this issue is to uninstall Google Play updates from the app settings.


The install error 963 is common among budget smartphones like Zenfone 2, Alcatel One Touch Idol and Huawei Honor 5X, and quite rare in the latest high-end handsets like Nexus 6P, 5X, LG G4, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S7,  S5, Note 4, HTC M8 etc. Also, Motorola devices seem to be less affected. Many devices running Cyanogenmod custom ROMS are also affected . There are several other solutions for Error Code 963 in Google Play and all of them are explained below.

[New info] The latest version of Google Play Store reportedly attempts to save portion of downloaded or updated apps and games to the microSD card and thus may result in various Play Store related Error Codes. This error may also pop up when you try to update an app installed in your SDcard. In that case unmount the SDcard before app update or download.

How to fix Google Play Error 963 on any Android device

If you are getting this Android error during update, try uninstalling the app completely and then re-install it. If that does it, you will save a lot of time.

Method 1: Uninstalling updates for Google Play Store 

Note: Users have reported that Method 1 has been the most effective in fixing Android error code 963. However, you may have to repeat this method later because Google Play Store app updates automatically.

• Go to Settings >> Apps >> All 
• Scroll down and select “Google Play Store” >> Uninstall Updates 
• Now open Google Play Store and try to update or download the app or game

Method 2: Clear Cache and Data for Google Play

• Go to Settings >> Apps >> All  >> Scroll and select "Google Play Store"
• Clear Cache and Clear Data for Google Play Store
• Go to Settings >> Apps >> All  >> Scroll and select "Google Play Services"
• Clear Cache and Clear Data for Google Play Services
• Go to settings >> Apps >> All >>Select "Google Service Framework"
• Clear Cache and Clear Data 
• Now open Google Play and try the app update or installation

Method 3: Unmount SD card 

• Go to Settings >> Storage >> Scroll down and select “Unmount SD Card” 
• Open Google Play Store >> Download or update the app (or game) that was causing error 
• Again go to Storage >> Re-mount the SD card 

Note:  Users who have set preferred install location as SDcard or external storage will have to disable this feature for this fix to work. Example- Device like Zenfone 2 have "ASUS customized settings" option that lets you chose default app installation location.

Using SD card as internal storage 

If your device is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system there is a feature called "adoptable storage" that lets you merge your internal storage and external storage (microSD card) into one drive. A lot of new devices like LG G4, Moto X Pure and HTC One A9 support this feature. Before enabling this feature make sure that you have a fast microSD Card not those cheapo ones with slow read/write speeds. Also, note that once our micro SD card is adopted, it will merge with the device storage and removing it will likely cause a lot of crashes. Here are the steps to setup adoptable storage on Android 6.0:

•  Insert your SD card into your phone/tablet
• Now you will receive a prompt that says "New SD card detected"
• Tap on "Setup" >> Use as internal storage >> Select "Next"
• Now your card will be formatted and setup as a device storage
• Note: If you have any app data in the SD card, you will be prompted to move them to internal storage before proceeding.  

Method 4: (For update error): Moving apps to internal memory 

• Go to Settings >> Apps >> All 
• Select the app that is giving you the error 963 during update 
• Select “Move to internal Storage” 
• Open Google Play Store >> Update/ download the app 
• Now you can move the app back to SD Card or leave it in the internal storage 

Method 5: Remove Google account and add it back

This is a very common solution used to solve a lot of Google Play Store errors. Firstly, go to settings >> Accounts >> Tap on "Google">> Select your Gmail account. Tap menu >> select "Remove account". Now simply follow the same steps to add back the Google account you just removed. Open Google Play Store and try to download or update your app.

Method 6 (For HTC One M8/M9 owners): Uninstalling Update for HTC One M8 Lock Screen app 

If you are a HTC One smartphone user, the error may have started after updating the HTC Lock Screen app. Just uninstalling it will solve the problem.

• Go to Settings >> Apps>> All >> Find “HTC Lock Screen” 
• Select “Force Stop” >> Select “Clear Data” and “Uninstall Updates” 
• Now open your Google Play Store and Download/Update the app that was giving you the error code 

Besides Android market error 963 , the above methods can also be used to solve another frequently recurring Google Play error code 907. These errors have been plaguing millions of smartphones running Android 4.4 KitKat, 5.0 Lollipop and even some devices running the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system. If you haven't yet upgraded the firmware of your device, doing so may also resolve these Play Store related issues.

If you have any other methods or steps to fix these errors please help us in the comments below. If none of these methods works, mention your Android device and OS version in the comments and we will try to find a fix.

Related: How to fix Error 907 in Google Play Store

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