Can't install previously-"sideloaded" games from the store - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

If this isn't the right place - please move the message. I figured it's a more general topic.
To summarize: games which I previously installed "unofficially", liked, decided to buy and support the devs - don't install from the Play Store.
There are two games which I downloaded from third-party sites to try out, loved them and decided to buy them.
Both of them - whenever I try to install them, the download seemingly goes through, reaches 100%, I get a popup saying "Can't install X, Try again and if it still doesn't work, see common...".
The games do appear on the phone and I can run them, but they both getting stuck at loading.
Researching some more, I found out that their OBB's are missing, which I know they should have since I installed them manually before.
I obviously tried uninstalling and reinstalling (both in the refund period and after it passed), clearing the phone's caches using TWRP and SDMaid, clearing Play Store's data, searching my entire phone (including root sections) for leftover files - still can't resolve it.
Other games install and run correctly, OBBs are downloaded - just not for these two.
I also tried different networks (4g as well as WiFi), installing using the Play Games app, and the games do appear and install on other devices with Family Library.
First time I meet this behavior, thought I'd ask.
Morally speaking, yeah, I gave the games a go, was impressed, bought them, supported devs, waited out the refund period - so yeah, I'm left with a technical, not a moral issue.
EDIT: I was able to get both running by installing them on another device I own, sending the OBB file to myself, backing up the game files and data using TiBa and restoring them on my device.
No idea if the game will update, but the same error appears when I try to uninstall and reinstall via Play Store.

@munky-head
All apps (root or not) have a default data directory, which is /data/data/<package_name>
That's how I would do it - in order to not lose app's data
Save data related to apps in question to PC or phone's external sd-card
Uninstall the apps in question
Clear Android's system cache
Clear Google Play Store's cache
Install the apps in questions from Google Play Store
Restore the apps' related data

jwoegerbauer said:
@munky-head
All apps (root or not) have a default data directory, which is /data/data/<package_name>
That's how I would do it - in order to not lose app's data
Save data related to apps in question to PC or phone's external sd-card
Uninstall the apps in question
Clear Android's system cache
Clear Google Play Store's cache
Install the apps in questions from Google Play Store
Restore the apps' related data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying.
Basically, I did the said process, just using TiBa.
Installing from the Store still fails, which is weird, and slightly worrying.
Either way, I paid for both, and own them both on PC, so developers weren't wronged ?

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I am suddenly missing apps that are actually already installed in the Play Store. For instance, I have Rdio that I installed from the Play Store several weeks ago. Now, when I go to the Play Store, it doesn't show up under installed apps. In fact, it shows that I only have 20 apps installed, though when I go back to my app drawer, it shows over 150! To add, if I do a search on the app that is installed, it doesn't even show up on the search within the Play Store. It's as if the app isn't available anymore.
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did you recently change dpi or anything? Maybe try to clear the google services and see if it resets your play store? If you did change dpi the google play store only recognizes certain DPI's its 160 for full tablet mode, 213 Phablet mode and 320 for phone mode. If im mistaken im sure someone will supplement me but ive had it where I couldnt find certain apps and either the dpi change or clearing the google services worked.
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I have changed my DPI, but that was a while back--and I was able to see the apps that are now missing in the "INSTALLED" section of the Play Store. So I changed my DPI back to stock, and they are still missing.
I also did try to clear the Google Service Framework, cleared the cache in CWM, and even reflashed the ROM--still no joy.
Here's a small part of the applications missing from the Play Store (just from the first page of my app drawer):
Adobe Reader
After Focus Pro
Amazon
Amazon MP3
Amex
Amazon Appstore
Asphalt 6
Asphalt 7
Barcode Scanner
Bejeweled 2
Capital One
Chrome
Dead Trigger
Any other ideas? I'm wondering if it's thinking I'm geographically in a different place that these apps aren't available--though I'm in the US. I'm at the point where I'm pondering another ROM (I'm currently using the xXx).
test another rom, or restore a backup and test it...
although, it would be nice if the backup was a different OS version...like GB...
then you know its rom related...
good luck Sir...g
Use a file explorer/manager and go to data apps and see if the apps are still installed or listed. I am still confused myself on apps that are moved to the internal sd card as they cannot be moved to the external sd card. But if you installed the apps with an external sd card in and you have since removed the card then the apps fail to show as installed.
So basically what I am trying to say is if you switched or formatted your external sd card then the apps will disappear even though they are not physically on the external sd card.
Does any app you previously installed from the store show up in the installed apps list?
Either go to my apps in play store and uninstall and reinstall or go through root explorer or some file manager and unistall then reinstall.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
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