Google Play Store App is missing - How to install manually?

What do you do if the Google Play Store app is missing in your Smartphone or Tablet. How do you install Google Play Store app manually?

There are plenty of tablets and smartphones that don't come with it pre-installed Google Play Store. In such cases there is a simple way to install this using an APK file and this will allow you to use the Google Play Store even if your device did not come pre-installed.

Google Play Store troubleshooting

Google Services Framework is an important service that lets the Play Store app function properly allowing for automatic updates and so on. If you experience any strange problems, then there may be a problem with the service, and you should consider clearing the cache on your device especially for these apps: Google Play Store and 'Google Play services.'

To do this manually:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store, tap open, and click/tap 'Clear cache'.
• Ditto for Google Play services

That should fix most of the problems with the Play Store. 
Note: Sometimes, you may need root your rig to manually install the Play Store but that may null your warranty and is not advisable for the non-geeks.

So here is the method:

1. If your phone is connected to the WI-FI, go to XDA Developers forum or APK Mirror to download the APK for the latest version of the Play Store.
2. You may get a warning that 'this type of file can harm your device.' Ignore it and click OK.
3. Open the APK (you can navigate to the completed download by clicking at the message in your notifications menu), read the permissions that the new Play Store version requests, then click 'Install'.
4. You can also download the apk file in your PC and transfer it to a memory card via a card reader or transfer it to the device using the Micro-USB connection cable that came with the device.

So that is it folks! Let me know how it worked for you.