Yes, absolutely – if you intend to continue using your older device. A manual update via a verified “google play store apk link download for android 51” brings:

✔️ Newer, cleaner interface.
✔️ Access to recent app versions (that still support Android 5.1).
✔️ Better download speeds and error handling.
✔️ Improved security for in-app payments.

Last Pro Tip: After installing, go to Play Store Settings and enable “Auto-update apps” so you receive future minor updates without hunting for APKs again.

Before you grab the APK file, you must prepare your Android 5.1 device to accept it. Since you are installing an app from outside the Play Store (sideloading), the security settings are stricter.

If after installing the correct APK your device remains unresponsive, consider these options:

Android 5.1 Lollipop, released in 2015, was a milestone update. It brought material design, improved device stability, and better RAM management. But as of today, many devices running Android 5.1—like the Moto G (1st gen), Samsung Galaxy S5, or numerous low-end tablets—are no longer receiving official system updates from manufacturers.

However, Google continues to support Android 5.1 through the Google Play Store and Google Play Services. But here is the problem: The pre-installed version of the Play Store on Android 5.1 is often severely outdated. Without a manual update, users face:

The solution is to manually download and install the latest Google Play Store APK link for Android 5.1. This guide provides the official, safe, and step-by-step process to do exactly that.

For Android 5.1, you need Play Store version 30.x or lower. Versions above 33.x require Android 6.0+. The best stable version for 5.1 is:

Google Play Store 30.9.52 – 21 [PR] 450621119 (nodpi)

Why this version?