Database Info

[Q] Anyone else unable to purchase apps?

I'll copy/paste from my issue on Google's tracker:
I have an Asus EEE Pad Transformer (TF101) with the latest update: HRI66.US_epad-8.2.3.13-20110511
When visiting the Market, I am only presented with Free apps in the Featured section of each category.
I can search for, and find, paid apps. However I cannot purchase them. It returns the following error: The item you were attempting to purchase could not be found.
I am able to purchase some of the apps with my Phone. I can either go to the web based market and purchase them for my T-Mobile HTC Vision, or I can do it on the phone itself. Then I can install those apps in my Asus Transformer.
However, I can't do this workaround with Honeycomb-only applications because I cannot buy them on the phone first.
I'm located in Puerto Rico. I talked to the guy that makes Reddita, and he said that his apps is setup to be available everywhere
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone else have a similar issue? If so, please star my issue on Google's tracker: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=16845&colspec=ID%20Type%20Status%20Owner%20Summary%20Stars
Screenshots:
First
Second
I'm still not sure if it's a location based problem or if it's related to something else. Like I said above, the guy from Reddita says that his app is configured to not discriminate by country. Also, he says that he has sold the app to other Transformer users before.

i was able to purchase apps the last time I checked which was after the 8.2.3.9 update

klau1 said:
i was able to purchase apps the last time I checked which was after the 8.2.3.9 update
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Are you located in the states?

canada, should it make a difference? in google?

klau1 said:
canada, should it make a difference? in google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would hope not. Unfortunately, so far my theory points towards a location restriction specific to Honeycomb devices.

No problems on my Transformer but a while back I had problems buying from my Adam. I went into my Google checkout account settings and just reentered the same credit card info and saved it. I was able to buy apps after that.

XL2001 said:
No problems on my Transformer but a while back I had problems buying from my Adam. I went into my Google checkout account settings and just reentered the same credit card info and saved it. I was able to buy apps after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip. Tried that (and adding a completely different CC) and it didn't work.
I can however buy apps for my other two devices (G2 and Nexus S).

I bought my Asus Transformer TF101 from Hong Kong, now live in Malaysia, both Malaysia and Hong Kong are in the list that can buy apps, but appear that i'm same with you.
Just can view apps, appear "The item that you request are not found" bla bla...
Free apps can be use. no problem, btw, i have a Motorola Xoom with me too, same issues. Sad.... duh....
somehow my android phone can purchase apps, i turn to my web page android market, and i noticed that, due to i have 5 device registered to my google account, i can buy apps for my phones, but not for my device that dont have "CARRIER" bound with it. This makes our wifi only device cant purchase apps.
i have mailed google about this issues, but nothing yet, dissapointed, hopes anyone get some solutions. thanks.

Market Enabler, available on the Android Market. Buy the paid version for better features.

I had the problem that I couldn't purchase apps that were offered in a different currency than US$ with my AmEx. I had to use a different credit card (VISA) and then it worked.

I have the same problem, it started yesterday. I'm from Puerto Rico.
Suddenly, the quantity of available apps is much less... I can't find Adobe apps, Angry Birds games, Taptu, none of the Google apps!!
When I go to "My Apps" it only shows those installed apps that are still available to search on the market, but the others are not (even if they are currently installed, were installed before)
If I enable the Hotspot on the HTC EVO and connect the TF to it via WiFi, after re-opening the market, it can see all apps as before, including those in "My Apps" section. This happens because the IP provided by Sprint is USA based. Also, if the TF gets connected to the local router, then the market apps availability gets downgraded again...
So, this appear to be a location based issue... but, how it's possible that all those high profile apps that were available just days ago now are not? I did a factory reset today for troubleshooting... and now can't install Adobe Flash and those apps mentioned above

hotelmode said:
Market Enabler, available on the Android Market. Buy the paid version for better features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, market enabler, but, i have to get rooted, superuser, busybox in order to use that, right?
I would love just to only get rooted and continuing receive Asus OTA updates, can i?
I check and i found the is no way, please help.

Hi (Cant purchase apps in market)
Helo I am also from Puerto Rico Im currently using Samsung Galaxy i9000 (International version) Im currently facing with this error since some time now. I been looking on net since long ago day and night and nothing just crap and no answer from google. I tried froyo gingerbread and iCS version from Teamhacksung and nothing. I tried market enabler (both versions in market) i can see paid apps just well I can download the free apps just fine but in paid apps *the item you were attempting to purchase could not be found* Im getting piss off already before was working just fine.
Looking extensively on net i found this video http://forum.xda-developers.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=13888035 ---->error sorry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDZtQWt_8TQ
Sorry is not in English but the guy is using something called Gae proxy that seems an alternative that let you buy the apps. Anyway, for me this no worked I tried several times and still it no let me buy the app or just the market no open. I tried via wifi/data plan (3g) and nothing. I did test with pal he has hero and career from usa and he can buy just fine. I tried with my boss who has Captive and Xoom both failed in market with the same error.
This is very disappointed situation that is taking too much already. I have several friends and ppl I know dropping android just because of that. If i keep having it I will do the same or keep forced to get pirated apps wich i no want.
Still waiting for any fix or google response.....
English not my primary language.

Market Enabler won't work on WiFi tablets
babyken said:
Ya, market enabler, but, i have to get rooted, superuser, busybox in order to use that, right?
I would love just to only get rooted and continuing receive Asus OTA updates, can i?
I check and i found the is no way, please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can assure you that even if you're rooted and running non-stock ROM, Market Enabler will not help if you're on a wifi-only tablet. I've been trying to find a solution to this problem since the day I got my WiFi-only Transformer but to no avail. Without any development or hacking knowledge whatsoever, there's only so much that I can try.
What I've found out though is this. The wifi-only version appears to track your location differently than the 3G version such that Market Enabler won't work. I have tried VPN (either direct on device or sharing a VPN connection over WIFI, if that makes a difference at all...), I've tried some location spoofing apps. Force stopped the market app and cleared data and cache and trying the VPN and location spoofing again in various combos, unsuccessfully. Also tried turning off all location services. Tried Market Enabler of course and I have the paid version of that too.
What works though is if I'm in another country, and it's a market-supported country, I'd be able to purchase apps without doing anything extra. I can also buy apps through my phone which has Market Enabler working as intended and once purchased I can install the bought apps through the My Apps screen on my Transformer. This is my current workaround, but I'm still very much stuck when I need to buy tablet-only apps which I can't purchase from my phone. Similarly, I can buy apps from the android market website, but only those I can install to the phone and I won't be able to install direct to tablet unless it's a free app.
Note: I live in a non-market-supported country. I've had this problem since Honeycomb, and now I'm on ICS and also using the rebranded Google Play. This problem seems to apply to all WiFi-only tablets, not just the Asus Transformer.
The only reason why there doesn't seem to be much of an outcry on this is because people chiming in that they can buy apps when they live in a market-supported country, so people think the problem is solved.

Amazon AppStore cheaper than Android Market?

Has anyone else noticed that the Amazon AppStore seems to be cheaper than the Android (Google) Market? Apart from offering a free paid app every day, some apps seem to be less expensive. Another advantage that I noticed is that it's all in US$ and not converted from € or £; this is great because then I don't have to pay foreign transaction fees!
Only disadvantage is that you have to keep an eye on two different market places...

Shame it's not available in the UK - We can view but can't even get the free app of the day - says theservice is not available in your country...

shadeygeezer said:
Shame it's not available in the UK - We can view but can't even get the free app of the day - says theservice is not available in your country...
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I know that the MarketEnabler app works for the standard android market (for root devices), but does it also work for Amazon's store? or does it pull country ID a different way?

On the Amazon AppStore, Amazon gets to adjust an app's price around. App developers are guaranteed a minimum amount of money (so when one of the apps are free for a day, Amazon is literally just paying the developer for each download!) for paid apps, but Amazon reserves more control.
Personally, I like the AppStore FAR more than the Android Market... I've never once had an issue with stuff from the AppStore totally ignoring you when you tell it to install/update something (unlike what the Market does for me somewhere from 50-90% of the time).

McSqueeb said:
I know that the MarketEnabler app works for the standard android market (for root devices), but does it also works on Amazon's store? or does it pull country ID a different way?
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Click to collapse
My Transformer is not rooted - I don't intend to root it... not for some time - it's new so I'm "bedding it in" - see if any problems popup..
Just a shame that a company as large as amazon has not expanded the Android market into all regions yet.. and yet Kindle it appears has taken over the world. LOL

My problem with Amazon:
1. Can't turn off one-click purchase. I have purchased apps accidentally.
2. The only way to "diasble" one-click is to de-authorize the device on Amazon's website
3. Once you de-authorize a device or if you uninstall the Amazon App Store app, you can no longer use the app.
Basically, if you buy an app and then decide down the road that you don't like the amazon appstore (for whatever reason). You pretty much can't uninstall it unless you don't want access to the apps you purchased anymore. I don't think the andorid marketplace functions this way.
I am unsure if the apps even function if you don't have a wireless connection. Maybe someone can clarify this.
Also, if there is a way around this, I'd like to hear it.
As is stands now, I have about 6 paid Amazon apps and have now decided that I don't want to use the amazon appstore due to their no-refunds/can't-turn-off-one-click policy(s). So what do I do now? I am forced to leave the amazon appstore app on my device.

el_brio said:
My problem with Amazon:
1. Can't turn off one-click purchase. I have purchased apps accidentally.
2. The only way to "diasble" one-click is to de-authorize the device on Amazon's website
3. Once you de-authorize a device or if you uninstall the Amazon App Store app, you can no longer use the app.
Basically, if you buy an app and then decide down the road that you don't like the amazon appstore (for whatever reason). You pretty much can't uninstall it unless you don't want access to the apps you purchased anymore. I don't think the andorid marketplace functions this way.
I am unsure if the apps even function if you don't have a wireless connection. Maybe someone can clarify this.
Also, if there is a way around this, I'd like to hear it.
As is stands now, I have about 6 paid Amazon apps and have now decided that I don't want to use the amazon appstore due to their no-refunds/can't-turn-off-one-click policy(s). So what do I do now? I am forced to leave the amazon appstore app on my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what you are saying but it is exactly the same with Google Market; it's just not that obvious! Your device is linked to your google account and your market account is basically identical with (or part of) your google account. So if you decide you don't want to go with google anymore (which is impossible btw) you would lose all your apps as well. Does that make sense?

Ignore me, I obviously didn't read the first post.....

Hmmm. I was just shocked to see that some apps are also more expensive at amazon... Guess at the end of the day it will be very similar after all.

Can't seem to access paid Market apps...

I've been doing some searching on the subject but all I find is old threads/info or discussions that don't apply to me, so anyway, hopefully someone can help me.
I can't find any paid apps when i search on the Market, however if I follow a direct link or look for them under additional apps for a certain dev/publisher then they show up... Regardless when i click on the price to buy it I get an error that says "The item you were attempting to purchase could not be found. ". If it were a location issue I think I'd get a different error no?
I've had my TF since the summer and I honestly can't remember if I've ever bought any apps directly on it... I've installed plenty of free apps and stuff from Amazon's App store, plus a few apps that I originally bought on my phone (all previously purchased apps still show up under My Apps)... But it's quite possible I never bought any apps on the tablet. Basically i've no idea if this a new or recent problem.
However I can buy apps on my Sprint phone just fine even while on the same account and Wifi connection. I'm in Puerto Rico, which can sometimes find itself in limbo when it comes to things like this but the fact that the market works fine on the phone also makes me think it shouldn't be a location issue. My TF is stock, not rooted, and has the latest updates.

Oh and I have already tried force stopping the market, clearing data/cache for it, restarting the tablet, and removing / re-adding my Google account on the tablet. On the web version of the market it just says any paid app is incompatible with the TF.

Appstore troubles

Hey everybody. I wasn't sure about the right place to sumbit this thread so I went for the General one. I'm having some store-troubles.
I recently got this new device, a generic greek brand. It came without the playstore on it. I tried a lot of ways to make the playstore work on this device but the best state I got it to, is, having it installed on the device but whenever I may try to download an app on it, it will crash. That was no problem me, I mostly needed it to use other apps that just "need" the store to be installed. For my everyday use I shuffled through AmazonAppStore-1mobile-Aptoide n such.
Now the problem I'm facing is with certain free apps that I try to install, the last one being Heroes of O&C. It's a free app on the Google store, but since I can't use it I search on my other stores. Found it on 1mobile,downloaded it, ran it, runs license check and drops me. Found it on aptoide, same deal. That's happened before on other apps I tried to install through these store, and everytime they fail. See, I don't understand how this works. They are all free apps, and they all fail a license check and ask my to BUY the dam app(?). So then I'll have to resort to google, find a legit apk+obb combo out there and download it. But what happens when you want to go online? Some of em won't support it, or even support updates on themselves. By the way i didn't mention it before but the device isn't rooted and I doubt there's a certain way to root this one (nor would i risk it for the time being).
So what I'm finally asking of you are these two things:
1) I want whatever possible way you can think of making the playstore work without having a rooted device
2) perhaps any "more" legit store I haven't found already?
Thanks in advance peeps

Mate 30 pro GSF ID

i am wanting to get a mate 30 pro and of course install google services on it...
in almost every video tutorial i saw whether its the mate 30 pro or the mate 30 or the p40 the GSF ID is always the same.
the GSF ID is supposed to be unique to every device yet in these videos they are all the same (see below the two i got from videos).
so in essense 100's if not 1000's of people using the restore method are using the same GSF ID? isnt that dangerous to the google play account its lined to?
I am also curious whether this has to do with the backup we're restoring to the phone.
Also, i am spooked by the big G application. who knows what backdoor it maybe opening?
3db5868d120809ca
3497da632b1481ce

The big G is the lz play exploit app. I used it to get GMS on my mate 30 Pro last year when it was still an easy fix. I have noticed nothing but I did uninstall it after the fix. Not sure about the most recent fixes? As for the G Id, this could be something like one of Microsoft bulk licensing where one product Id is put on loads of the same PCs ( Dell, HPs etc), not sure but could be something like that? It is obviously from a working account that has been backed up though and copied. But if you need to use GMS, then there is not much choice really.

Is there a working option without crutches now?
Aliexpres now sell phones with Already Installed Google Services

Sathelp said:
The big G is the lz play exploit app. I used it to get GMS on my mate 30 Pro last year when it was still an easy fix. I have noticed nothing but I did uninstall it after the fix. Not sure about the most recent fixes? As for the G Id, this could be something like one of Microsoft bulk licensing where one product Id is put on loads of the same PCs ( Dell, HPs etc), not sure but could be something like that? It is obviously from a working account that has been backed up though and copied. But if you need to use GMS, then there is not much choice really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
I understand your explanation but as i read about the GSF ID its like a car license number or rather a serial # for a device. this ID could be tied to your google account or rather device serial #.
I now understand why when installing and uninstalling the framework you have to keep retrying to get the ID back...i think its a hole in the google system where it just gives up and assigns it to you.
I dont know. I feel this is dangerous that all of us are sharing one GSF ID from a backup.
If the device was able to be rooted you can generate a new one.
i am sure the people that generated this backup had rooted their device because when the device first launched there was a service to unlock the bootloader. now its no more.
this is the article i am talking about that concerns the GSF ID:
https://blog.onyxbits.de/what-exactly-is-a-gsf-id-where-do-i-get-it-from-and-why-should-i-care-2-12/

LamerOk said:
Is there a working option without crutches now?
Aliexpres now sell phones with Already Installed Google Services
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Click to collapse
they are probably using the methods everyone is using, putting the phone back in the box and shipping it. i see no other solution. unless root and thats not possible since bootloader unlock services for the device has stopped.

That was how my mate 30 Pro arrived but I reset it and used the lzplay method when it worked back then myself for the sake of it. Good read above, I think we will have to wait a while to see what happens next.

Sathelp said:
That was how my mate 30 Pro arrived but I reset it and used the lzplay method when it worked back then myself for the sake of it. Good read above, I think we will have to wait a while to see what happens next.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we should no longer hope that the USA will grant Google the authorization to work with Huawei seen the tensions between China and the US and the Covid-19 story. I have google spy services up and running since late last year and have no issue, granted my use of google apps is very limited. If we have a backdoor installed through lzplay we will never know but if you have google, wattsapp, fakebook etc installed you can be sure you will be tracked, profiled in one way or the other. That is a fact.

cfds said:
I think we should no longer hope that the USA will grant Google the authorization to work with Huawei seen the tensions between China and the US and the Covid-19 story. I have google spy services up and running since late last year and have no issue, granted my use of google apps is very limited. If we have a backdoor installed through lzplay we will never know but if you have google, wattsapp, fakebook etc installed you can be sure you will be tracked, profiled in one way or the other. That is a fact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your suggestions... to get rid of Google in order not to be tracked?

the average consumer has no clue of what lzplay is doing. its the most dangerous app out there using the MDM technique (mentioned above).
today at the mall i saw a girl representative for a reseller company in my country for huawei products and she had it installed.
i warned her and told her she committed a mistake but ppl see their phones working fine and dont worry about it. you wont know if the app is sending or stealing your data...(Well, actually, you can install a firewall app and track which apps are sending data to what destination - thats one way that came to my mind)
The issue remains is: We dont know who created lzplay and made a website and made the app. thats the scary part.
Now, another perception of this could be the following:
MAYBE, just maybe the lzplay was released by huawei themselves and if so then we need not worry. i mean we run on their operating system. they would have no interest in stealing data. they can already do that ...
This is being optimistic and thinking this maybe a fact.
i, myself will not venture into this and wont attempt it. Almost all apps work fine except for one thing: Games that rely on Google play games will fail without having the GMS files installed.
I dont play games so its not a big deal for me.
besides, most games now-a-days give you the option of logging in with facebook or google play games. select facebook and you'll be fine.

cylent said:
the average consumer has no clue of what lzplay is doing. its the most dangerous app out there using the MDM technique (mentioned above).
today at the mall i saw a girl representative for a reseller company in my country for huawei products and she had it installed.
i warned her and told her she committed a mistake but ppl see their phones working fine and dont worry about it. you wont know if the app is sending or stealing your data...(Well, actually, you can install a firewall app and track which apps are sending data to what destination - thats one way that came to my mind)
The issue remains is: We dont know who created lzplay and made a website and made the app. thats the scary part.
Now, another perception of this could be the following:
MAYBE, just maybe the lzplay was released by huawei themselves and if so then we need not worry. i mean we run on their operating system. they would have no interest in stealing data. they can already do that ...
This is being optimistic and thinking this maybe a fact.
i, myself will not venture into this and wont attempt it. Almost all apps work fine except for one thing: Games that rely on Google play games will fail without having the GMS files installed.
I dont play games so its not a big deal for me.
besides, most games now-a-days give you the option of logging in with facebook or google play games. select facebook and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anybody who is without Google will share the experience, honesty thinking of making hard reset and stay without Google...

cylent said:
the average consumer has no clue of what lzplay is doing. its the most dangerous app out there using the MDM technique (mentioned above).
today at the mall i saw a girl representative for a reseller company in my country for huawei products and she had it installed.
i warned her and told her she committed a mistake but ppl see their phones working fine and dont worry about it. you wont know if the app is sending or stealing your data...(Well, actually, you can install a firewall app and track which apps are sending data to what destination - thats one way that came to my mind)
The issue remains is: We dont know who created lzplay and made a website and made the app. thats the scary part.
Now, another perception of this could be the following:
MAYBE, just maybe the lzplay was released by huawei themselves and if so then we need not worry. i mean we run on their operating system. they would have no interest in stealing data. they can already do that ...
This is being optimistic and thinking this maybe a fact.
i, myself will not venture into this and wont attempt it. Almost all apps work fine except for one thing: Games that rely on Google play games will fail without having the GMS files installed.
I dont play games so its not a big deal for me.
besides, most games now-a-days give you the option of logging in with facebook or google play games. select facebook and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand your concerns and it is very valid. Over the last 4 months of usage, I have not notice any unauthorised data being sent. I had a filewall installed for removed it just a couple of weeks back.
But again, I can't be 100% sure.

Archibald1963 said:
If anybody who is without Google will share the experience, honesty thinking of making hard reset and stay without Google...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just do a full reset of my phone with GMS trying only using HMS. So far it's easy with phone clone and Aurora store. The only thing I miss are the notifications from Google and Twitter, but everything else is working perfect.

If you guys have specific questions concerning the GSF ID, I'd be happy to answer them. I'm the author of the aforementioned blog post, as well as several tools that deal with Google Play Services (in case you don't have/want them on your phone).

onyxbits said:
If you guys have specific questions concerning the GSF ID, I'd be happy to answer them. I'm the author of the aforementioned blog post, as well as several tools that deal with Google Play Services (in case you don't have/want them on your phone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to change de GSF ID of the phone manually? For example give the GSF ID of a Samsung device that works with FCM to a Mate 30 Pro, so that the Mate 30 Pro won't have the notifications issue when GSM are installed.
Or go back to a GSF ID that works perfectly and by mistake the phone's memory has been wiped and now the GSF ID doesn't work to receive FCM notifications.

tistasis said:
Is there a way to change de GSF ID of the phone manually? For example give the GSF ID of a Samsung device that works with FCM to a Mate 30 Pro, so that the Mate 30 Pro won't have the notifications issue when GSM are installed.
Or go back to a GSF ID that works perfectly and by mistake the phone's memory has been wiped and now the GSF ID doesn't work to receive FCM notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not suppose to change it manually. However, you can always request a new one by clearing the cache of the market app. The GSF ID is kept in that apps database, so if you wanted to change it manually, you'd have to install the android platform tools, use ADB to pull the file (root required), use sqlite3 to make the changes (the key is called "android_id", not GSF ID for legacy reasons), then push the file back to the device. Reboot afterwards.

onyxbits said:
You are not suppose to change it manually. However, you can always request a new one by clearing the cache of the market app. The GSF ID is kept in that apps database, so if you wanted to change it manually, you'd have to install the android platform tools, use ADB to pull the file (root required), use sqlite3 to make the changes (the key is called "android_id", not GSF ID for legacy reasons), then push the file back to the device. Reboot afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the Windows tools above to change the GSF ID of my un-rooted Samsung Galaxy A325G, and they worked fine... but does anyone know how the new GSFID was determined?
Is it random?
EDIT: I might be able to figure out how it's generated using "Dummy Droid".
[Tool] DummyDroid - GSF ID generator
Dummy Droid is a mainly a companion tool for the Raccoon APK Downloader . It allows you to create hardware profiles for arbitrary Android devices and upload them into your Google Play account, generating a new GSF ID in the process.
Mocks can either be generated by probing an existing device via ADB or be completely made up from scratch. You (may) need this tool if Google Play won't give you access to an app because of device incompatibilities, country or carrier restrictions. You (may) also need this tool if you are an app developer yourself and want to test compatibility filter settings without actually owning the target device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse