[Q] Android Market and why different ROMs "lose" some Apps? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all,
I was wondering whether anyone had any theories why some apps I've paid for disappear when using different ROM's / Phones.
The Apps I can use as an example, are as follows:-
1. Exchange by Touchdown Key by NitroDesk, Inc
2. RootTools by JRummy16
3. 360 Live by Juan Xavier Larrea
For example, while using Lite'ning ROM v6.0 on my SGS2, all those apps were available. But when I changed ROM's to the SensatioN ROM by Crysis, they disappeared.
Similarly, on my X10i when I upgraded to 2.3.3 they all disappeared. And because this happened without any tweaking, i.e. it was using Sony's release without ROOT'ing, I contacted Android Market Support and this was their explanation in relation to the Touchdown Key.
"Thanks for writing back. It appears in a recent update by the developer,
they changed the screen requirements of the app, it now only supports
Normal, 160 (density) screens. The specs on your device show as Normal 240
(density). So to continue using this app you will need to contact the
developer and request the 240 be added into the app."
So with that response in mind, I'm trying to figure out why there is a difference on my SGS2 when I switch between Lite'ning ROM and the SensatioN ROM.
Any thoughts? Does anyone know why I am seeing these differences between two ROM's? Is this something to do with tweaks within these ROM's and the density that Market Support is talking about above? Or the old problem of footprinting?

There's no way to definitively answer your question, unless you know the particular applications as well as the developers.
Yes, a lot of ROMs have different LCD Density values. If it is just down to LCD Density then that's a very simple fix. Try setting it back to 240 (default value) and see if the application reappear. I've never heard of apps not showing in the Market due to LCD Density though. I think you've just been fobbed off there, but I'm not 100% sure - just about 99%.
In case you don't know, to set LCD Density you need a rooted phone. Edit /system/build.prop and find the value in there. You can do this manually with something like Root Explorer (my personal choice), or there are apps that set LCD Density available on the Market, but lots of them don't persist the change for long.

Thanks for the reply mate.
Yeah, my phone(s) is rooted. I'll do a few tests with an App I saw on the market (LCDDensity for Root) and see if that makes any difference to the market content...
Funnily enough, I stumbled across this post from searching for that app in Google...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1183444
I'll report back whether it does fix the problem...

Grevane said:
Funnily enough, I stumbled across this post from searching for that app in Google...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1183444
I'll report back whether it does fix the problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm surprised by that, but if that's what it does then that's what it does! Have you tried browsing for apps in the market on your PC? Obviously your PC doesn't know what your current LCD Density setting is on your phone, so it may not be relevant.
Maybe remote install from the website is the way to go.

Different ROMs are based from different builds, which can also include for which device as well.
So if the rom you are using announces itself as htc sensation, your samsung only apps goes missing in market, and vice versa!
Android market allows the developer to choose which brands/model phones they want the app to be used by.

LiFE1688 said:
Different ROMs are based from different builds, which can also include for which device as well.
So if the rom you are using announces itself as htc sensation, your samsung only apps goes missing in market, and vice versa!
Android market allows the developer to choose which brands/model phones they want the app to be used by.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that relevant though? I thought that all the ROMs for the S2 were based on the Samsung ROMs. There's certainly no HTC ROMs available for it.
Of course, the developer can put in the build.prop (I believe) whatever they want, but why would they do that?

Well, so far, as far as I can tell, the LCD Density hasn't helped....
I also cannot install "remotely" from the market website as the market website says "This item is not compatible with your device".
I've also tried this... without any success...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11626645&postcount=425
ViralCipher said:
I found the solution to the market downloading problem! For anyone who has been having the Market Downloading issue with this ROM do the following and it should fix your issue. It fixed the issue for me and a co-worker.
To fix the market you go in manage applications:
1. Find Google frame work, clear all data and then force stop
2. Find Market.apk – then clear cache & data, then force stop.
3. Then, open ROM manager and fix permissions.
4. After the permissions have been fix, boot into Clockwork from ROM manager. And then format the Cache Partition.
5. Now reboot and test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... strange...

Related

[Q] How to bypass new market checks? (not talking about licence related checks)

I'm surprised to see I am the only person I have seen with this issue; either that or I'm looking in the wrong places. About a week or so ago, my android market was updated to the newest version, ever since then it has been a nightmare. apps that I have been using for over a year now say there not compatible, when I know for a fact they are. I recently flashed the latest CM7 nightly and when I brought the market back up, some of my apps said they were already installed when they in fact were not, however there was no way to override this so I just seemed to be sol.
The final straw was this; I wanted to install "multiling keyboard", so I went to the market and there was no download button to be found. So I went to the market on my PC and found that it listed my EVO and my modded HD2, it said the app was compatible with both handsets believe it or not. However it said the the app was already installed on my EVO, which at the time it was not. I searched for hours and found no way around this. So I tried a different Google account, thinking maybe it was linked with that account. I then searched for the app again, and believe it or not, It then told me that the app was not compatible, log back into the other account, and the app is listed as compatible but also listed as already installed with no way to override.
So now I find the only way to install certain apps is to uninstall the market updates so it goes back to the old market, then I can download whatever I want no questions asked. However its only temporary because within 15min it will automatically update itself again.
Get titanium, freeze market updater. Had the same issue
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Ok I froze the market updater, and then downgraded the market app from 3.0.27 to 2.3.6. It seems to be working, I'll post back if I have any issues.
However even though this is a fine workaround for now, does anyone know of a way to just fix the issue? obviously we all cant just stay at an older version of the market forever.
Google has been rubbing me the wrong way for about a year now, but this has really got my blood boiling. I don't need someone telling me what they think is already on my phone what whats not. I also don't need someone telling me whats compatible and whats not. I can fully understand licensing restrictions, don't like 'em, but i get it. but as for these new checks they implemented, there needs to be a bypass feature. Either have a "I am not an idiot" setting in your account, or just a button that says "I understand the risk, Install anyway". But this is ridiculous, something has to be done. I have already sent Google a letter, doubt anyone will read it, but i sent it.
I would also love for a solution to this... not a reversion...
Anybody out there have any clue where to start? I have been searching high and low and cant find much of anything.
ITS THE LCD DENSITIES! lol. Do you change your lcd density to? Because when I change mine back the market works fine
I never thought of that, but yes I do change my LCD density, I have it set to 200 instead of 240. That explains the incompatible issue. I'm still sol though, I'm not going to change my build.prop every time I want to use the market. Also I'm still having issues with it saying that apps are already installed on my phone when they are not.
Thankfully ugothakd's suggestion is working great for now. I hope we can get this figured out. If not its just going to end up being one of those things we will have to wait forever for Google to fix.
android market compatability issues
Thank you ugothakd! I change my density from 200 to 240. Now I have access to google maps and youtube. Really sucks though I like my density set to 200. I am surprised that people are not having more problems with this dumb market.
I don't mean to bring this back from the dead. But has there been any word on this issue? I'm still stuck at an old version of the market. I've tried updating and every time I still have the same issues. Its all over my screen density, if I change it from 200 to 240 the market works fine.
I have the same issue my self i have a htc desire and now with new market to apps that are missing
if i click on link in google to point to market for app all i get is this app ain't compatible with your device when i know for fact that it do
im starting to get pissed off with it as i used the new market before it was released over here in uk and now after i update my cm rom this is all i get or the app don't show in first place
google really need to add an option to disable this feature ie under options for people who know the risks of trying to run apps that may not be intended for the device as i personally have found nearly all apps work on my phone rarely come across any that don't even all the old apps tend to work if anything this new feature is a pain in the rear so so annoyed at this
P.s screen density has nothing to do with it with me i found new market added a new device to my list yet it's the same phone i leave my screen at 240 its default hope this gets sorted soon
Sorry to bring up an old thread but has anyone resolved the issue. I love my LCD density at 180 and setting it back to 240 just to install an application really irks me.

Why do so many Market apps show as "Not compatible with...." Dell Streak?

I've noticed at least 10 apps that show as 'not compatible' with my Streak, including the latest, XDA app, for example.
Question is: Why?
I have only modded the resolution to 180, but other than that, I'm running a stock and rooted ROM (351) with just a bit of bloatware stripped out. (Stage UI, etc.)
Can anyone give me an idea as to why apps that by all accounts ARE compatible show as being incompatible for me?
The main point is that I'm sure that many of these apps work for other Streak owners, just not for me.
The XDA app being a prime example of such. There must be a logical reason, but I don't know it. Anyone?
I am also on stock 351 and the XDA app shows up as compatible for me in the market. Did you change your fingerprint to get another app working, such as Netflix? I am at the stock 160 density.
The method that the market uses to determine compatibility is pretty poor when it comes to matching apps with compatible devices. You can try changing the fingerprint to another device.
Double check that you have the content filtering (maturity level) set to all, but that should not effect the XDA app.
I too found now that lots of the apps shows that they are not compatible with Dell Streak. Even some of the apps already installed won`t update because they are not compatible with Dell Streak now!
I tried to unroot Streak and now it is ok and at least apps already installed are again compatible. So try to unroot it first. Anyway, I needed root just to get rid of ooVoo etc.
I have official 351 and density set to 140
Revin said:
I too found now that lots of the apps shows that they are not compatible with Dell Streak. Even some of the apps already installed won`t update because they are not compatible with Dell Streak now!
I tried to unroot Streak and now it is ok and at least apps already installed are again compatible. So try to unroot it first. Anyway, I needed root just to get rid of ooVoo etc.
I have official 351 and density set to 140
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't function without root, but I suspect it might be the same problem, because I have the identical problem. Installed apps show as 'incompatible'... what a load of crap.
Thanks for the tip. I'll try it.
Unrooting attempt forked my system. I had to restore. Thank god for Nandroid
Can't unroot.
Which items are showing as not compatible with the Streak so someone like me, with the resolution untouched but the ROM rooted, can test things.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Which items are showing as not compatible with the Streak so someone like me, with the resolution untouched but the ROM rooted, can test things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many things which I already have installed show as incompatible, such as these two examples:
Drag Racing
XDA Forum app
QuickOffice Pro (which I own and purchased directly) is also listed as incompatible, but I have it installed and running perfectly.
I found an apk here for the Drag Racing app and it works. I'm now up to the latest version, but my Market app still shows that I need to update but says it's not compatible, but as I said, I already have the game installed and have already updated it to 1.1.0 via the apk manually.
There are quite few others, but I don't recall them all now.
None of those are showing as incompatible on my Streak. So the most likely culprit is the screen DPI change you made, since the DPI change is the only major difference between your Streak and mine. There are other possibilities such as a bugged Market APK or a corrupt flash of the ROM, but those aren't as likely.
I presume you have tried getting these apps through your PC?
I think it is just the root. I have DPI 140 (different from official 160 and even that is not standard for 800x480 screen) and I have device unrooted now and apps are compatible again (for example Appbrain was not compatible before and now it is ok).
When I last time had problem with this I wrote to developer of application and he wrote back that the app should be compatible with Dell Streak. So I wrote to Google support and they wrote that my device is rooted so they can't support it. So maybe Google is blocking some of the apps to the root users?
Donalgodon: sorry for your troubles with unrooting. I used Gingerbreak and the unroot function worked perfectly.
If I weren't rooted I might be inclined to agree with you. But, I'm rooted therefore something else must be causing the compatibility problem. Unlike you guys, I didn't change the dpi of the screen. The dpi change seems to be the common denominator here, and thus the dpi is more than likely the culprit.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
None of those are showing as incompatible on my Streak. So the most likely culprit is the screen DPI change you made, since the DPI change is the only major difference between your Streak and mine. There are other possibilities such as a bugged Market APK or a corrupt flash of the ROM, but those aren't as likely.
I presume you have tried getting these apps through your PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They show as incompatible from the PC also. I reset the Market, but no love.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If I weren't rooted I might be inclined to agree with you. But, I'm rooted therefore something else must be causing the compatibility problem. Unlike you guys, I didn't change the dpi of the screen. The dpi change seems to be the common denominator here, and thus the dpi is more than likely the culprit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... but I have different DPI then official (140) and when unrooted apps are compatible again and I still have DPI 140... But maybe another idea - I updated market manually. If I think of it, that was maybe the time when appbrain shows as not compatible...
So, does anyone updated Android market manually too?
I did not manually update Market, but it did it automatically to the 3.1.3 version. I'll strip out the DPI change later today and report back.
I had the same problem so I tried changing back to 160 using blade buddy, nothing happened, until I accidentally turned it off. After boot, I checked market and it was fixed. So I tried going back to 200 using lcd density (which is temporary until you do a full reboot), the problem came back. I did a reboot, now back to 160 and it was ok again. So I tried blade buddy again and set it to 200 and saved it, full reboot, and it's still fixed. I hope this will solve your problem too.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Just a follow up to my own OP...
I stripped out every mod I made and even replaced the original build prop from a backup I made when I first flashed the stock ROM.
No luck. Still the same apps show as incompatible with my device.
This may be one more motivation for me to dump the streak.
Anybody have any other ideas about what I can try?
I had problems with some of my apps not showing so I changed my fingerprint to 351, uninstalled the new market update, and froze the market updater. Using the old market without a problem and all my apps are available. HBO Go would not install with the new market, now it does. Running SD 191 perf 200 dpi.
rsfinsrq said:
I had problems with some of my apps not showing so I changed my fingerprint to 351, uninstalled the new market update, and froze the market updater. Using the old market without a problem and all my apps are available. HBO Go would not install with the new market, now it does. Running SD 191 perf 200 dpi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I freeze the market from updating automatically using Titanium Backup?
donalgodon said:
How can I uninstall the Market update if it updated automatically?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First freeze market updater (I use Bloat freezer), then go to settings, manage apps, all apps, select market and then select uninstall updates.
You could also change market updater apk to bak

[Q] Photon incompatible with certain market apps?

Has anybody else had trouble with the Photon being incompatible with a lot of apps from the market?
Specifically, the market is showing the "Sprinkle" game as incompatible even though it wants a Tegra processor and that is what we have.
If anybody has had this problem have they managed to find a solution to allow us to install these apps?
Thanks,
Koriel
I have run into this with one app. The market says it is compatible with the ogEVO but not the Photon. I'm sure it would probably run just fine on it but can't download to find out. Must be something the developer does when posting the app to the Market?
The app might have been compiled to use Sprint's "Evo" SDK to interact with the front camera, Wimax, etc. I'm pretty sure that the "Evo" and "Epic" SDKs became moot around the time the Epic (finally) got 2.2, and Android itself acquired phone-neutral ways to deal with secondary radios and extra cameras. AFAIK, the only phone-specific APIs left for Sprint phones are Kyocera's (for functions specific to dual screen use) and the Evo3D's (for functions specific to 3D).
I haven't had that problem in general, and specifically I have Sprinkle installed on my Photon right now. So, doesn't seem to be a general problem, and I have no idea why a specific Photon wouldn't be able to install a specific app.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Did you modify the build.prop?
When I look up Sprinkle in the market I get
"This app is compatible with some of your devices.
Photon"
That's a possibility. Does anybody have a default build.prop from a "post-update" Photon that they could upload? Ideally, one where you have managed to get "Sprinkle" to download and play
Finally solved this, I had changed the LCD density from 200 to 240. Changed it back again, rebooted and no difference.
Finally I conceded and performed a hard reset, when the phone came back again I could download "Sprinkle" at last!
koriel said:
Finally solved this, I had changed the LCD density from 200 to 240. Changed it back again, rebooted and no difference.
Finally I conceded and performed a hard reset, when the phone came back again I could download "Sprinkle" at last!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not have to do a hard reset. Only have to clear the Market app data/cache under Manage Applications.
Had the same problem and resolved by resetting to 240, rebooting, and clearing market app.

[Q] Why is new Market (3.x) such a piece of ****

I have a question - why is the new market app so bad?? Or am I the only one? I have HTC HD2 and I had like about 4 different android systems in the last two months and this problem is on every system with new market. Its a piece of crap!
It works...but terribly! I start market, it works but sometimes it freezes itself, sometimes it shuts down for no reason... These problems are only on 3.x versions! Its not something that would bother me so much but I wonder - why google did that? Old market was perfect - maybe not so perfect looking but it was smooth and precise! And now - market 3.x is no match for the old one!
I just want to know WHY?
And is it possible to install back the old one (2.x)?
If you are rooted, you can use this post to get the old market back.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1240344&highlight=market
You're unlucky.. Market is fine here, and always been fine.
trigonX said:
Its a piece of crap!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this. In addition to the problems the OP listed, there is the "incompatible app" problem if you use custom dpi.
Let google know what you think of market 3.x here
http://www.google.com/support/androidmarket/bin/static.py?page=known_issues.cs
Thank you!
There are actually two solutions to the force closing problem. The first is uninstalling the updates and clearing the data and cache under the phone's settings, however this didnt work for me. The second method is by going to your phone's settings and selecting language and keyboard then changing the language to english(united states). This did it for me and it hasnt forced closed a single time since i did this.
Sent from my CM7'd MB300 using Tapatalk.
I agree, slow, to much graphics.

Need some advice around malware/viruses on android

Hello,
I've been looking around for an application that tracks application installs.
Especially for malware installs.
Let me explain the situation:
I've got a smartphone with installed apks (all legal from the playstore)
After a while I am trying to find out what problems are causing some random ad popups (about dating for those who are interested) it's caused by an apk called recents.
I always delete that program. But it seems that it reinstalls itself, every now and than.
also since today I've got an shortcut on my main screen that is called coobrowser (not coolbrowser although it has the same icon image, tried to find out where it came from but I can't find an apk either)
I know some applications:
os monitor is a good one though it doesn't accomplish my needs. (I can see the connections but there it stops)
Catlog doesn't make me any wiser
I hope someone know what I'm talking about and has this kind of application in reach.
TLDR: In need of an application install tracker that monitors which applications open a port for another application install (read malware)
I have the same issue with my phone.
When I clicked app info it turned out to be called trebuchet.
What type of phone do you have?
Yes exactly that's what I get too,
Jiayu S3
That is built into their os. It is made to reinstall if it detects it is Uninstalled. It's not an app that is doing it but the OEM of the device. It is known that many of the Chinese devices do this to counter the cheap prices of the device. Your only option would be to build an aosp based rom if you can.
jerrefurtor said:
Yes exactly that's what I get too,
Jiayu S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got the same phone and the same issue started to appear recently. First the "recents" app, now the "coobrowser". The orginal Trebuchet icon is gone. Not sure if this is a virus or feature from JiaYu. How to tacke this without crafting my own ROM as mentioned?
jediz said:
I've got the same phone and the same issue started to appear recently. First the "recents" app, now the "coobrowser". The orginal Trebuchet icon is gone. Not sure if this is a virus or feature from JiaYu. How to tacke this without crafting my own ROM as mentioned?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've managed to remove recents (since this was causing random ad popups)
I've got the exact same problem. Just want to know how to track it down
I can't see any other option than installing a different ROM, because the stock one is strange regarding security. For example every reboot resets "install apk from unknown sources " to YES, which is fishy. Bye bye stock rom, I liked it at the beginning but with these issues I am forced to switch.
jediz said:
I can't see any other option than installing a different ROM, because the stock one is strange regarding security. For example every reboot resets "install apk from unknown sources " to YES, which is fishy. Bye bye stock rom, I liked it at the beginning but with these issues I am forced to switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just noticed they have published the official rom for android 5.1 http://www.needrom.com/download/17-09-android-5-1-for-the-jiayu-s3/
I decided to avoid the official ROM as the problems I experienced were with the previous official ROM. I went for the "rom-xtreme-rom-tf"
So far so good, but don't you try to uninstall the Google Now app from android 5, I was unable to boot doing so.

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