[Q] Play Store = App Store? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have an iPod touch and as Apps are slowly being ported from iOS to Android, making me want to use my phone more.
Anyways, are purchases, including free apps, saved to our account on Google? The App Store stores every app downloaded regardless, free or paid.
Example: App goes free for 24 hours on the App Store. Download it for free. Goes back to 0.99 after 24 hours. You uninstall it. Come back a week later and realize you want it again. Installs without charge or fee.
Example 2: Same as above but it's free first. Download the free version. Uninstall it. Week later you want it back, now its 0.99. Download again, no fee or charge.
The examples are of iOS and how the App Store works. Is the Play Store like that?

Play market doesn't work like that because an app that is free cannot later be charged for so no the market is not like app store in that respect.
However if you buy an app in a sale and uninstall it you can of course reinstall that at no cost and you get a trial period to test apps during which you can cancel the sale.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk

Nope, google play is more fair to the developers, if the developer decides to ask money for it after giving the app for free you just have to buy it even if you had it installed before when it was free.
Why? as example:
You downloaded monkey app 3.0,
when the developers updates it to version 4.0 and wants to ask money for it they also want everyone to buy it and not just the people who are downloading it for the first time.
A new version of a certain app is not always "Just a update" it could be a whole different app because it's fully rewritten or something like that.
And if you wonder why the play store doesn't offer the older free versions...
The play store doesn't want people to use outdated apps like any other store.

seahorsepip said:
Nope, google play is more fair to the developers, if the developer decides to ask money for it after giving the app for free you just have to buy it even if you had it installed before when it was free.
Why? as example:
You downloaded monkey app 3.0,
when the developers updates it to version 4.0 and wants to ask money for it they also want everyone to buy it and not just the people who are downloading it for the first time.
A new version of a certain app is not always "Just a update" it could be a whole different app because it's fully rewritten or something like that.
And if you wonder why the play store doesn't offer the older free versions...
The play store doesn't want people to use outdated apps like any other store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are basically saying if the developer pulls the free app and then relaunches something similar paid. In that scenario you could get a copy of the apk from when the app was free by either your own Titanium Backup if you use it, or by Googleing for it. Then keep that apk around for other devices, etc. Thats one of the nice things about being able to sideload apks, you are not restricted to what is listed on Google Play.

It's a good move for developers, but not for buyers. Where Apple is good for buyers, not developers.

Related

[Q] Question About Amazon Apps

I have read all the Amazon App threads I could find and I noticed someone posted that there was a thread that explained a way to install the amazon apps once you downloaded them without the need to have the app store installed. I cannot find that thread.
Is there a way that if I want to delete the amazon app store and then install or reinstall the apps I got from them(free or paid) without needing the app store app installed or can you point me to the thread please.
Also is there a way for the regular market to recognize them so I can get any updates in the future?
Thank you
I second this question... I'd love to know the answer
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk
I think you just need to keep the appstore installed. No big deal.
Technically you can delete the appstore and keep the apps installed...but they won't run, so not too useful. I haven't noticed any problems with having it installed though, may I ask what the point is?
johnchad14 said:
Technically you can delete the appstore and keep the apps installed...but they won't run, so not too useful. I haven't noticed any problems with having it installed though, may I ask what the point is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just messing around with the phone and going thru my I dont need this and dont need that and decided I didnt want to have the amazon app & the amazon app store app anymore and unistalled them. Then about a day later, went to play one of the apps I did get from there and it didn't run.
Was just curious. Still in my eris frame of mind when I used to go thru my apps and take out ones not really used so I could save space.
Im getting help now in dealing with getting rid of the Eris low memory complex...
Thanks all
This situation may be related.
I had moved Amazon apps to SD card (at least I think it was one of the apps I moved :/ ). Regardless, I tried to use an app from Amazon; I could not use it until I had signed on at Amazon's site.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Same here. I cannot run any Amazon app if the Amazon Appstore is uninstalled. Also, I cannot update any Amazon app through AppBrain or the Market because it appears the packages are signed differently. Need to update the Amazon apps through Amazon Appstore.
Well I guess this is the caveat of getting the free apps... I wonder if this also applies to apps you've actually spent money on through amazon app store...
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m00nshake said:
Well I guess this is the caveat of getting the free apps... I wonder if this also applies to apps you've actually spent money on through amazon app store...
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely. The only way to get updates for your Amazon apps is to go through the Amazon Appstore, whether they are paid or free.
I would have to agree; free or paid, you likely have to be signed in. Tis a pain to be electronic slaves to sites, ain't it?
Yes, you need to have Amazon App Store (AAS) installed and signed in, in order to update paid apps. I confirmed this last night when trying to use Titanium Backup which I purchased through AAS.
I can't really see a reason not to have it installed though, literally, the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning after turning my alarm clock off is checking to see what app they have available...

[Q] Download free Apps from Google Play without Market

Yep, you've read that right: I'm looking for a way to download some FREE apps from google play without having the market installed. To make a long story short: I don't like the market to know what my phone runs. So is there any software I could download there free app "My Callya" with? Have looked everywhere on the interwebs, but can't find it. I'd be more than happy about a download link to it though.
Why not use titanium backup, and just remove the market links after downloading it.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using XDA
It's not about the links on my phone, but some issue I generally have about privacy when hearing the word "Google". Therefore, how to get the goodies without using the market?
If you're not going to use Google Play, you'll have to use another market. I came across http://androidpit.com which might be useful to you. It also allows you to buy apps with paypal.
But isn't there a way to obtain the free APKs without such software?
Not from Google Play. It requires a unique device ID that you can only obtain by actually registering your device with Google.
And once you've done that you might as well just get it from Play.
Fair. Any other recommendable place where the device ID is not required?
No matter what you're using, you'll have to have a secondary market of some sort. There's also the Amazon Appstore which you can install from Amazon.com and it doesn't use your device ID, just your Amazon account. Really, you just have to choose a place you trust since you seem to be really concerned with privacy and who stores data about what apps you have.
You can try Amazon, but you won't find all of the apps that are available in the Play Store. You can always search for the apks online, since people tend to post them for others that cannot access them for whatever reason. If you're interested in purchasing apps, Amazon would be the way to go, or most devs have a way to purchase from their website. Installing the Amazon Appstore will help you with a lot of apps that you'd like to download, plus they feature one paid app for free every day. If you "purchase" it while it's free, it will be tied to your Amazon account so that you can install it on another device as well or reinstall if you decide to uninstall it. Most of the free apps of the day are crap, but every now and then you'll find a good one.
I'll see if I can find the app you're asking for on the Market, download it, and post the apk for you.
Edit: Couldn't find the app on Google Play. I must not be able to access it due to screen resolution or OS version or something. If you know that it's in the Play Store because you've seen it from the website, maybe someone else can access it for you. If not, check the Market website and make sure it's still published and hasn't changed names or something.
Ohhh, and I think I read about an extension for Chrome that allows you to directly download apks from the Play Store website. I don't know if your Google account has to be registered to a phone or not.
kind of late but if anyone else is looking for a solution, this might work as stated above.
it basically turns the google play store links into downloadable .apk links
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
To get started, enter the web URL of any app listed on the Google Play store and click the “Generated Download Link” button. The APK download app will fetch the APK file from the Google Play store and will host it on its own servers from where you downlaod the file.
Since the APK files are directly fetched from the Google Play Store, it’s unlikely that the Android App will be infected with any malware. Also, to prevent app piracy, the APK downloader only lets you download free apps and games from the Google Play store, not the paid ones.
SecUpwN said:
But isn't there a way to obtain the free APKs without such software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the way i follow if i don't get a apk is just Google '<app name> <version>' and download.though a few times i faced spam
dmxoneIuv said:
kind of late but if anyone else is looking for a solution, this might work as stated above.
it basically turns the google play store links into downloadable .apk links
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Does this thing also load PRO-apps for free?

How to buy "Donation Package" without Google?

Hi!
I want to purchase the Greenify license. I have no GAPPS and I don't want to install them. For example, I purchased the licenses XPrivacy and IM+ from their authors through PayPal. Can i purchase the license for Greenify through PayPal, Visa or WebMoney(WMZ)?
a same question here, greenify is the most important app for me, without this, my HTC One E8 lasts less then 1 day with normal usage.
I am a Chinese user, I don't want GAPPS, but I want to buy greenify, what shall I do?
kokos76 said:
Hi!
I want to purchase the Greenify license. I have no GAPPS and I don't want to install them. For example, I purchased the licenses XPrivacy and IM+ from their authors through PayPal. Can i purchase the license for Greenify through PayPal, Visa or WebMoney(WMZ)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must have some Android won't function without some, like playstore manager and others. I've the bare minimum myself but as they have moved parts of the OS into the app store it means that you need some Gapps to function. They do this so they can keep the code secret if it's *an app *. So much for being an open OS.
I hope that this happens, I'm about to remove Gapps from my phone and I've purchased the donation package.
It hurts to say this, but I probably have to pirate new Greenify releases after after removing propriety Google software from my phone.
greenify add on after factory reset
I had to factory reset due to my own ineptitude with the homescreen mixup I created (
When getting the greenify app back I had to pay AGAIN for the add-ons I previously bought.
Obviously there is no limits of my newcomer ineptitude.
fenneberg said:
I had to factory reset due to my own ineptitude with the homescreen mixup I created (
When getting the greenify app back I had to pay AGAIN for the add-ons I previously bought.
Obviously there is no limits of my newcomer ineptitude.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you had logged in to Play Store with the same account through which you purchased earlier, it would have recognised your earlier purchase and you need not have paid again.
jeffreylin_ said:
If you guys could install the Amazon Appstore, that has Greenify with the donation package as an in app purchase.
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon Appstore's apps are updated very rarely, I doubt that Greenify has the latest version either. I've removed the application from my phone entirely.
Musicbee said:
Amazon Appstore's apps are updated very rarely, I doubt that Greenify has the latest version either. I've removed the application from my phone entirely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In theory atleast, you can update the Amazon downloaded/purchased Greenify on Play Store. Some people have reported issues with this process and the Dev has provided a solution though that doesn't seem to work for all.
jeffreylin_ said:
The only problem is that he doesn't want to have anything to do with the Play Store.
Guess he'll have to stay a version or two behind.
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are talking about the OP, then he wants to donate and get the donate version. So without Play Store, he can not do it, unless by subterfuge.
I don't see greenify app in amazon appstore. I don't think it is there anymore... what was the matter?
jeffreylin_ said:
It was removed because the dev had problems with IAPs on Amazon Appstore. If you have downloaded it before, you can still do so.
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I haven't purchased it yet. Since I have some amazon appstore coins, I wanted to pay there rather than paying again in google play... Appreciate your reply!
I have purchased the donation package. As expected, after removing Gapps from my phone the paid features don't work anymore. I had to obtain a working version from unofficial sources.
I didn't see a mention anywhere on the store page that Greenify requires proprietary Google services to run, I should be entitled for a refund.
DRM only hurts the paying customers, pirates use the superior, non-Google dependant Greenify.
Musicbee said:
I have purchased the donation package. As expected, after removing Gapps from my phone the paid features don't work anymore. I had to obtain a working version from unofficial sources.
I didn't see a mention anywhere on the store page that Greenify requires proprietary Google services to run, I should be entitled for a refund.
DRM only hurts the paying customers, pirates use the superior, non-Google dependant Greenify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have some nerve in posting this. Not only you knew that Greenify donate features will not work if Gapps are removed, you went ahead and obtained "a working version from unofficial sources".
So if Greenify is now working for you, why should the donation be returned?
And you complain that Play Store nowhere states that donation features won't work without Gapps as if you didn't know.
Hypocrisy!
Still, the question remains: How to use the "full version" without GApps installed? I still have a Google account and thus could "pay" via it. But it makes no sense for me if I cannot use it.
That "Google Glue" applied by "vending.CHECK_LICENSE" is a real show-stopper. I'm willing to pay/donate, and I've did so with several other apps that came without this glue (and thus working perfect on my "degooglified" devices). I wish I could say the same about Greenify. The free version is nice – but not half as useful as the full version
Izzysoft said:
Still, the question remains: How to use the "full version" without GApps installed? I still have a Google account and thus could "pay" via it. But it makes no sense for me if I cannot use it.
That "Google Glue" applied by "vending.CHECK_LICENSE" is a real show-stopper. I'm willing to pay/donate, and I've did so with several other apps that came without this glue (and thus working perfect on my "degooglified" devices). I wish I could say the same about Greenify. The free version is nice – but not half as useful as the full version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. But I think that it won't work without Google Play Store unless the Dev finds a way around it. And I also think that the 'Google Glue' was applied by Google and not by the Dev.
tnsmani said:
Agreed. But I think that it won't work without Google Play Store unless the Dev finds a way around it. And I also think that the 'Google Glue' was applied by Google and not by the Dev.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are plenty of ways around it (one is to simply remove the license check altogether, which is what "hackers" do or which could possibly be done using Lucky Patcher – but I don't want to use a hacked version nor the patcher, the latter is too tempting I've bought several "paid apps" that come completely without). And as it wasn't Google who added that piece of code to the app, I have to disagree: there are indeed things not to blame on Google. If a dev decides to use Google licence check (which is performed by the Google Play Store app, hence 'vending.CHECK_LICENSE') (s)he must be aware that the app providing that is required on the device it should run on – and the own app cannot run if not.
Here check this out this may probably help you.
""microG GmsCore is a FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software) framework to allow applications designed for Google Play Services to run on systems, "".....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-microg-gmscore-floss-play-services-t3217616

Amazon Appstore

For anyone who doesn't have it, I would really suggest it. This is the Appstore from the kindle devices and the great thing about it is that it offers 1 free paid app every day (at the moment it's Monument Valley) and during holidays it offers a lot more. You can easily get it from the Amazon website. ?
What I dislike about it, I downloaded MV for free during a 1 day promo last year, is that when I uninstall the app store (even temporarily) it's impossible to run the apps it has installed, really dislike this kind of control/DRM personally. If anyone knows a workaround I'd love to hear about it, of course!
flex0r said:
What I dislike about it, I downloaded MV for free during a 1 day promo last year, is that when I uninstall the app store (even temporarily) it's impossible to run the apps it has installed, really dislike this kind of control/DRM personally. If anyone knows a workaround I'd love to hear about it, of course!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there is but it's I don't think keeping the app I stalled is a big deal given the huge amount of storage you get with the g4 and it's always a better alternative to downloading apps illegally or paying for them ?
flex0r said:
What I dislike about it, I downloaded MV for free during a 1 day promo last year, is that when I uninstall the app store (even temporarily) it's impossible to run the apps it has installed, really dislike this kind of control/DRM personally. If anyone knows a workaround I'd love to hear about it, of course!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. I always jump on these free apps/games during their promotions where I typically install the the stupid App store, "GET APP", then cancel the download... just so it is "purchased".
Never did I ever have to keep the Amazon Store to run the games I downloaded. They just show up in my App Drawer as normal apps.
Then log out of the amazon app store and try to run one of these usually payed apps. Having the same issue with tunein from amazon. Only works when I'm logged in.
What is the difference between the amazon app store and the amazon app, where you can download apps as well? Does the amazon app store have more apps thsn amazon?
inpherknow said:
What is the difference between the amazon app store and the amazon app, where you can download apps as well? Does the amazon app store have more apps thsn amazon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Amazon App is the app of the shopping site.
The Amazon Appstore is the appstore of the kindle devices that works with any android device.

Paid app removed from Google Play My Apps & Games

Has anyone else lost Leo's Fortune app from Google Play My Apps & Games?
It is currently not there for me either
I have had this happen with paid apps before. Usually its because the app dev isn't jumping through googles hoops, so google takes the app down til they comply
With luck it will return to the play store.
One thing that can be done is:
Before an app is taken down have it either installed or have a backup of it, I use Titanium Backup for this. Obviously not much help to you now
Mrpookie said:
It is currently not there for me either
I have had this happen with paid apps before. Usually its because the app dev isn't jumping through googles hoops, so google takes the app down til they comply
With luck it will return to the play store.
One thing that can be done is:
Before an app is taken down have it either installed or have a backup of it, I use Titanium Backup for this. Obviously not much help to you now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have Titanium Backup of it but not the whole app data was backed up only 110MB or so, when the app is actually about 300MB in size from what I remember of the app' listing in the Play Store.
I only asked because there are much more malicious apps that are still on the Google Play Store and Google does not remove them but removes a game not just for everybody but for those who purchased it as well.
I have had apps on Apple App store that are not removed from My Apps even through they may be removed the Apple App Store so new user may not install the app.
Sent from my Sony Xperia XA2 using XDA Labs

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