'Google' doesn't show as an option in settings/add account! Help please :-o

[Cablagoobla]

My son has a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini, running Android 4.2.2. He came to me today saying that he can't add contacts to his phone any more and that Google Play wont load up. So i had a little look.

When attempting to load Google Play, a white screen comes up with Google Play in the top bar but then the app closes straight away. I've tried clearing cache and also done the same in Google Play Services. Neither worked. I then tried to load up other Google apps (Gmail, Google+, Play Games etc) and the same thing happens on all of them.

I double checked that the time/date was correct and the internet connection was good. Then I thought I'd try removing the Google account on the phone and then re-add it. The Google account has vanished! On top of that, when i try to add a new Google account via settings/accounts/add account, there is no option to select Google as an account.

I've tried googling this issue and it seems its happened to a few people over the last couple of months. Every thread I have read says that a factory reset has not worked, or its worked temporarily for a few hours and then gone back to being 'crazy' My son says his phone has been like this since October (ish).

Could it be something to do with Google Play Services not updating correctly (its currently on auto update)? Is there anything else I can try before a factory reset? Would it help if I uninstalled updates for Google Play Services (I just didnt want to try in case I couldn't re-install them lol)?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[hallux]

Take a look at this Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_version_history

That article shows that version of the OS as no longer supported. At some point - services will stop functioning as the device no longer supports the minimum security levels needed. That OS version is 6 years old at this point.

You may not want to hear this but it may be time to consider replacing the device with a newer one that is still receiving updates for Play Services (what version is that one running?)

 

[Cablagoobla]

Well that's just ridiculous! I did read on Google's support info that they weren't updating Android v2's but I guess that's relating to the OS itself and not Google Play (or something like that).

The Android version on the S3 mini is 4.2.2. Not sure how to find out what version of Play Store/Services it is as it wont let me open it hahaha.

I gave my son an old phone, which is in perfect working order might I add (other than the obvious problems stated above), to see if he can look after and take care of a phone before getting him one that could cost me somewhere between £200 - £1000.

Can anyone else confirm what Hallux / wikipedia has said? Its not that I dont believe you Hallux, I'm just a cheap *** guy in denial hahahaha

 

[Cablagoobla]

Play Services (what version is that one running?)

Play Services version on the S3 mini is v14.3.66

 

[hallux]

Hmm, that's not too far off - my Pixel 2 XL is on 14.7.xxx and Nexus 6p is on 14.5.xxx Play Services isn't the only thing impacting that, but the ability to add an account shouldn't hinge on those, adding the account would just fail.

 

[Rukbat]

If I remember 4.2.2 correctly, go to Accounts and you should see Google. Go to Google and you should see something about adding an account. (In Accounts, I think you have Google, Email and Other, or something like "other".

 

[Cablagoobla]

Thats what I'm getting at. There is no Google in accounts. I have the options of Email, Whatsapp and a few others... but no Google. It used to be there though, so something must have changed/affected it. I've since tried to go through the Google Play desktop site (which doesnt auto direct me to the app). When I attempt to sign in, it brings up the 3 google accounts that were on the phone before it went crazy, as options to sign into. Although when i try to sign into one of them, it just doesnt load. The 'loading circle' keeps going round as if its trying to load the account but after 10 minutes of waiting, I gave up.

Is there a Google customer service helpline that I can call (UK). I have tried looking but I'm having no luck lol. You'd think with one of the world's biggest companies,it would be easy to find a customer service line hahaha