Database Info

[Q] A question about Play store and regions

Hey. I am planning to get an Android phone and have a question about Google Play behaviour regarding different regions.
How do regions work in Google Play? I know each region get different apps/books/etc and prices but there are several things I'm curious about (all things are compared with itunes because atm I own an iphone):
If you buy an app at the German (example) store will it be easily updateable/installable when I switch back to the UK store? On iTunes it's a huge ****ing pain in the ass dealing with apps from different countries. You can't update them without wasting 10 minutes at least.
Are ratings and reviews separate as well? I have to use the US itunes store just so I can read more opinions and see larger rating vote counts.
Unlike itunes google play determines your location automatically which is bad for me. Is it alright if I'm going to use a proxy to fool the Play store and install apps from 'another country'?
Sorry if it's in the wrong section.

That can be an issue, but if you plan to root your phone you can flash things that will enable you to view anything from any region. Being in the US I don't run into this issue, but it's something to look at depending on the phone.
Also, most apps you can download the APK (for free apps) or contact the developer on how to find the app.

There is an app " market enabler" aka "market unlocker".
Needs root.
Works for apps only.
You can get any apps, specific to a region by changing the location in the app.
Or as said above, you can get the apks
LIFE! Live it to the best!

Lifehacker7 said:
There is an app " market enabler" aka "market unlocker".
Needs root.
Works for apps only.
You can get any apps, specific to a region by changing the location in the app.
Or as said above, you can get the apks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well looking for and downloading apks every time some app is updated would be annoying. Is there a software which manages android phones like itunes? I'm having tons of problems with itunes and its handling of apps purchased in different countries, hope to avoid this with android.

Al Gore said:
Well looking for and downloading apks every time some app is updated would be annoying. Is there a software which manages android phones like itunes? I'm having tons of problems with itunes and its handling of apps purchased in different countries, hope to avoid this with android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think " buying it from another country" thing is an issue.
Once you have paid and downloaded, there shouldn't be any issue.
Unless the app is region specific and wouldn't work outside that country.
LIFE! Live it to the best!

Al Gore said:
Well looking for and downloading apks every time some app is updated would be annoying. Is there a software which manages android phones like itunes? I'm having tons of problems with itunes and its handling of apps purchased in different countries, hope to avoid this with android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you can access the Play Store online and download stuff just like iTunes does for iOS devices, then you can manage the apps on the phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps?feature=corpus_selector
You can also use that Market Enabler app to see all regions from the Play Store app, but you must be rooted.

Google play region restrictions.

All I am asking is some clarification or some links into why google restricts apps on the playstore by region?
I could understand why paid apps might not be available, whatever, but free apps should be free across the board. Thats why they are free right? Download them and use them. Whether you would be able to buy the pro versions or not depends.
This effectively judges people who are not likely to use the google play service to buy apps into oblivion. No apps, nothing. Google play is bare if you are not inside regions Devs want you to be or something. "Oh, dont happen to live in the places we are interested to sell our products, well, screw you!"
I dont get the whole region dsicrimination google does to people. What the hell am I supposed to do, start pirating apps? I can tell you for a fact that even apps like facebook are not aviable outside major regions such as North America or Europe and by europe I mean countries like germany,france,uk and so on, big or important countries in general in the EU.
This seriously puts me off using google play at all as I find this very damn unfair. Actually, I wont get an Android device, at least one that supports Google play as long as the guys in google think its smart to divide people within the places they live or are born. Just imagine if the internet was handled like this. In some places it is, and its just darn disgusting, having to use proxies and what not.
I dont know if apple or microsoft does this, so if somebody knows for a fact, or lives in regions excudling the EU, North America or Russia, please do tell.

I live in Indonesia, though I'm French.
When I'm bored and looking for some game apps, I check out the top downloaded apps on the Play Store. And let me tell you, when I see the amount of really crappy apps that make it to the top 50, I can definitely tell that I'm in an Indonesian Play Store. Is it a matter of really poor local taste or is someone employing cheap labor to promote nasty apps?

I read somewhere that you can avoid the region clock by tweaking the build.prop file but I'm not sure if it works for real
Inviato dal mio LG-P350f

You can use a VPN.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app

navhostp wbrails
I have it. I cant buy Ikaruga for my Android

shadowcore said:
All I am asking is some clarification or some links into why google restricts apps on the playstore by region?
I could understand why paid apps might not be available, whatever, but free apps should be free across the board. Thats why they are free right? Download them and use them. Whether you would be able to buy the pro versions or not depends.
This effectively judges people who are not likely to use the google play service to buy apps into oblivion. No apps, nothing. Google play is bare if you are not inside regions Devs want you to be or something. "Oh, dont happen to live in the places we are interested to sell our products, well, screw you!"
I dont get the whole region dsicrimination google does to people. What the hell am I supposed to do, start pirating apps? I can tell you for a fact that even apps like facebook are not aviable outside major regions such as North America or Europe and by europe I mean countries like germany,france,uk and so on, big or important countries in general in the EU.
This seriously puts me off using google play at all as I find this very damn unfair. Actually, I wont get an Android device, at least one that supports Google play as long as the guys in google think its smart to divide people within the places they live or are born. Just imagine if the internet was handled like this. In some places it is, and its just darn disgusting, having to use proxies and what not.
I dont know if apple or microsoft does this, so if somebody knows for a fact, or lives in regions excudling the EU, North America or Russia, please do tell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all I would like to clear ypur Doubt.
You Blaming Google Playstore then you are wrong as Restrictions of the app in Selected region is done by the developer of that app.
Who restricts some of the Regions while Publishing the app in the Playstore.
Most of the developer's select all but soke don't do it wont appear in those countries where the developer hasn't selected.
&
You cam also download the Apk of that free app and install it Manually.
All apps free are Available in Google.
Regards.
Zeuscluts
Hit Thanks
----------Signature---------
Need Some Cool Guides Visit Hmpshah Guides

Zeuscluts said:
First of all I would like to clear ypur Doubt.
You Blaming Google Playstore then you are wrong as Restrictions of the app in Selected region is done by the developer of that app.
Who restricts some of the Regions while Publishing the app in the Playstore.
Most of the developer's select all but soke don't do it wont appear in those countries where the developer hasn't selected.
&
You cam also download the Apk of that free app and install it Manually.
All apps free are Available in Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is enforcing those restrictions. If the devs dont want somebody to download their stuff from a certain country, they should at least bother to give a reason why. If its about piracy, then must be really thinking that pirates are dumb and cant get ahold of the apk to reverse engineer it from another source. Really...
Also, I dont believe that the guys who made facebook app set the restrictions, I could be wrong. Why would facebook, which works outside europe, not have a free app that is available everywhere? It makes no sense. It does not matter really. I just wish this issue got big and maybe forced google to change their playstore policy. At least free apps should be restriction free.
The only way to install apks, is to scavenge for apps on XDA and other place, check them manually if they contain suspicious activity and hope they are not malicious.
To others.
Thank you for your responses. I will try to investigate about the build prop idea and VPN if they work.
If anybody got a windows device, does microsoft enforce this policy with their appstore, because apple, yes apple, has no such policy. I can confirm that based on an iPhone 4s I got to see. Sigh...

shadowcore said:
Google is enforcing those restrictions. If the devs dont want somebody to download their stuff from a certain country, they should at least bother to give a reason why. If its about piracy, then must be really thinking that pirates are dumb and cant get ahold of the apk to reverse engineer it from another source. Really...
Also, I dont believe that the guys who made facebook app set the restrictions, I could be wrong. Why would facebook, which works outside europe, not have a free app that is available everywhere? It makes no sense. It does not matter really. I just wish this issue got big and maybe forced google to change their playstore policy. At least free apps should be restriction free.
The only way to install apks, is to scavenge for apps on XDA and other place, check them manually if they contain suspicious activity and hope they are not malicious.
To others.
Thank you for your responses. I will try to investigate about the build prop idea and VPN if they work.
If anybody got a windows device, does microsoft enforce this policy with their appstore, because apple, yes apple, has no such policy. I can confirm that based on an iPhone 4s I got to see. Sigh...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use VPN or proxies.
To doqnload them Directly through Playstore. ..
Regards.
Zeuscluts
Hit Thanks
----------Signature---------
Need Some Cool Guides Visit Hmpshah Guides

[Q] Reliable alternative to Google Play: is there any?

Hi to all,
I just landed at the Android world. The phone I got is a really really Chinese "Huaexl" (at least the name reminding the better known Huawei XL) not including Google Play as defaut app store. Since I did not find a reliable way to get the Google Play app (Google website does not allow to download it) I tried to install Google Play Service which does nothing else but crash.
Google Play has a certain credibility in my opinion. My problem now is that I want to find a "reliable" way to download apps in case there is no reliable way to install it.
At the moment I'm using 1Mobile Market and Aptoide just to download some utility (such as some hardware monitor or QR code scanner and other basic app) but I would never use such stores for example when it comes to install some banking app
So, to make it short:
would you suggest any "reliable" way to install Google Play or any "reliable" alteriative?
would you suggest me to replace the current Android version and istall another one including Google Play by default?
Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions.
PD: what about replacing Android with Ubuntu Touch?
PD2: according to the hardware monitor apps that I installed, such phone should be an optacore, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of ROM
PD3: dispite the camera options get till 13Mpx mode, the quality of the pictures is quite bad

You can download Google Play Store from Android Police
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23578570567716666
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

redndian said:
You can download Google Play Store from Android Police
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. However, since I'm new in the Android world, I have never heard of Android Police. Could you please tell me more about them? I've been googling but found nothing about Android Police except what they themselves publish (blog, website, podcasts and so on).
Could you clean my doubts about their "realiability" ?
Sorry for insisting about this topic.
Thanks.
Regards.

Link already given for download. Android police is reliable source
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

maccabbeo said:
Thanks a lot. However, since I'm new in the Android world, I have never heard of Android Police. Could you please tell me more about them? I've been googling but found nothing about Android Police except what they themselves publish (blog, website, podcasts and so on).
Could you clean my doubts about their "realiability" ?
Sorry for insisting about this topic.
Thanks.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Police is a well known blog and info site, loads of new info that's initially start off there and get spread. I can assure you that the website is very reliable. Nothing to worry about.

TheArc said:
Android Police is a well known blog and info site, loads of new info that's initially start off there and get spread. I can assure you that the website is very reliable. Nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, now I got your own opinion about it. Thanks a lot, that's a great start!
Is there any other reliable source talking about Android Police. For example any well known online newspaper or something?
Please try to understand my feelings. I want to be straight. Your feedback about your own personal feelings is important for me since I just don't know this world. My dubts will be completely cleaned (well, never be sure 100%) when I could see for example (just a stupid and unreal example) the New York Times telling about Android Police.
I mean, I wish a reliable source may have talked about it. Please tell me if any, I would really really appreciate it.
Thank you so much for your understanding and your patience.

redndian said:
You can download Google Play Store from Android Police
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately Google Play just crashes less than 1 second after launching it. Is there anything I could do?
Or shoud I just give up since it is impossible to install on phones not coming with it already installed by default, as I've been reading somewhere?
Thanks,
regards.

[APP] Alarmpad : how to get it ?

Hi,
Are you guys able to access this application on google play store ?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mindmeapp.alarmpadpro
Whether I try with proxies or my own IP (Belgium), I always end up with a message from Google saying that the app is not available in my country.
I know that the developer stopped this project last year, but I am surprised not to be able to get it anywhere.
I also tried to download the apk for version 1.9 from various websites (free or pro version), and Windows Defender always reject the file stating that it's infected by a Trojan, so I start to wonder if this is a false positive or if Google detected the same and prevents the app from being accessible on the store or so ?
It's the first time that I am facing this situation, and I am very surprised and frustrated not to be able to buy this app which looks fantastic.
Let me know if you are facing the same problem or if you have a working APK backup
Thanks !

For those who are in the same situation and who may be looking for AlarmPad FREE, here is the APK of version 1.9.3 (I believe it's the last).
I am still looking for a way to buy the PRO version, and for now the only solution seems to be in the USA :/

I'm in the USA, and can't find this app in play store.

henry8668 said:
I'm in the USA, and can't find this app in play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the information Henry, then I have no clue where this app is available nowadays (it looks like it was widely available in the past).
Note that it appears that my previous apk downloads which were detected by Windows Defender as trojan were false positive since the same file does not trigger the warning anymore.
Too bad I can't simply by the pro version

View attachment 4058815
View attachment MindMe_com.thetalkerapp.main_2.0.4_V55.apk
View attachment AlarmPad_com.mindmeapp.alarmpad_1.9a18_V19512.apk
View attachment Umbrella_com.mindmeapp.umbrella_1.1_V9.apk
View attachment com.mindmeapp.alarmpadpro.709.apk

kalhimeo said:
Thanks for the links Stefano
Unfortunately even when installing the pro version from your post with the mindme pro key, it does not detect it as "PRO" (features are restricted as in FREE version).
I have the same behavior with this PRO apk which is the latest version I found.
I tried to contact the developer to know why his app is not available from the PlayStore anymore, but I did not received any answer so far :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it seems you have to find a new app ... :/

I'm in the UK (used to live in the USA) and I couldn't visit the alarmpro page, but I could visit here and download the app to register it.
kalhimeo said:
Hi,
Are you guys able to access this application on google play store ?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mindmeapp.alarmpadpro
Whether I try with proxies or my own IP (Belgium), I always end up with a message from Google saying that the app is not available in my country.
I know that the developer stopped this project last year, but I am surprised not to be able to get it anywhere.
I also tried to download the apk for version 1.9 from various websites (free or pro version), and Windows Defender always reject the file stating that it's infected by a Trojan, so I start to wonder if this is a false positive or if Google detected the same and prevents the app from being accessible on the store or so ?
It's the first time that I am facing this situation, and I am very surprised and frustrated not to be able to buy this app which looks fantastic.
Let me know if you are facing the same problem or if you have a working APK backup
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

mzmartipants said:
I'm in the UK (used to live in the USA) and I couldn't visit the alarmpro page, but I could visit here and download the app to register it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you mean it s working from uk correct ?

kalhimeo said:
you mean it s working from uk correct ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES.

thanks, i will try next time I cross the channel

Old thread but I have the pro version. Don't know how the powers-that-be would feel about me sharing the apk. The developer has stopped providing support for this app and the backup service (which is why I bought it) doesn't work anymore.

ParrotSquawk said:
Old thread but I have the pro version. Don't know how the powers-that-be would feel about me sharing the apk. The developer has stopped providing support for this app and the backup service (which is why I bought it) doesn't work anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello ParrotSquawk,
Thank you very much for the offer Actually I posted the pro apk here some time ago thinking it would not be a problem since there was no way to buy it anymore and development stopped as well, but the moderators didn't appreciate that...
For info even with the pro apk you cannot access the pro features, it somehow checks on google play if you bought it and locks it to free version.
I gave up on alarmpad for that reason. I wanted to use it because of its tasker integration, but ended up using ClockTask plugin. Not exactly the same thing but also very well integrated with tasker.
Cheers !

I don't know how much help this is, I was worried that I would need to find an alternative when i upgraded my 3½ year old S7 Edge to my Note 10 +.
Thankfully, despite being no longer available, it transferred over through SmartSwitch and is working fine except for the sign in/backup feature.
That said, does anyone else know of any other app that works like AlarmPad? It is a must for me as I'm on shift work and EVERY duty is different.

Old thread..but...
My biggest issue with this app currently is that the data can't be backed up anymore. If I reset my phone I have to create all the alarms and hashtags again. (My phone does not have root available).
If someone could recode it to backup and restore using an SD card ... That would be great.

[Issue] Couldn't complete your transaction Gift cards can only be used in the country where they were

"Couldn't complete your transaction Gift cards can only be used in the country where they were".
This is the error Im getting everytime when trying to purchase apps with play store.
Im rooted, have xposed, have tried to mock location, change ip with a reliable vpn. Im not in US.
Any workaround for this issue? Even a hard one?

Change your Google Play country:
1. Open the Google Play Store app .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Settings - General Account and device preferences Country and profiles.

I am having the same issue, except with Indonesia. I previously bought IDR gift cards and could redeem them just fine, but since today that has no longer been working and I get the same error. The Google account has its store and region set to Indonesia and I have tried using a VPN to no avail. No clue how to fix this

James_Watson said:
Change your Google Play country:
1. Open the Google Play Store app .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Settings - General Account and device preferences Country and profiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not a solution. Those who change their country in play store, will lose all of their balance and even access to the paid apps, books and games that they got before.

Check my next post

It's also not a solution because my country in those settings is already correct, and yet the gift card redemption doesn't work.

SkrubbyJohnny said:
It's also not a solution because my country in those settings is already correct, and yet the gift card redemption doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Google messed up. It seems in their ham fisted attempt to target scammers they ended up locking the play balances of untold thousands (perhaps more) of legitimate accounts.

Michael Westen said:
This. Google messed up. It seems in their ham fisted attempt to target scammers they ended up locking the play balances of untold thousands (perhaps more) of legitimate accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using a Mastercard or Visa if you can.

blackhawk said:
Try using a Mastercard or Visa if you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, credit and debit cards confirmed still work but that's not an adequate solution for many, especially those who already have substantial amounts of money in their play balance.
The issue only affects play gift cards and play balances. It even affects play balances that weren't necessarily filled using play gift cards in some cases, I'm told.
I choose not to willingly give out my bank CCs or real identity to scummy spyware companies like google anyways, so I have a prepaid visa gift card set as alternate form of payment.. this form of payment remains unaffected by google's recent gaffe.

Michael Westen said:
Yes, credit and debit cards confirmed still work but that's not an adequate solution for many, especially those who already have substantial amounts of money in their play balance.
The issue only affects play gift cards and play balances. It even affects play balances that weren't necessarily filled using play gift cards in some cases, I'm told.
I choose not to willingly give out my bank CCs or real identity to scummy spyware companies like google anyways, so I have a prepaid visa gift card set as alternate form of payment.. this form of payment remains unaffected by google's recent gaffe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rarely use pay apps. I have 4 on the phone.
Package Disabler and Poweramp are needed the other two I could ditch.
Best to feed the beast as little as possible (meaning Google Playwhore).
Google can't do much to a MC or Visa at least in the US as your assets are protected.

blackhawk said:
I rarely use pay apps. I have 4 on the phone.
Package Disabler and Poweramp are needed the other two I could ditch.
Best to feed the beast as little as possible.
Google can't do much to a MC or Visa at least in the US as your assets are protected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Poweramp is def worth ponying up for. I think the dev even has a non-google payment option with a separate non-google variant of the apk. That's the way to go for sure, but I also understand he probably gets more volume of sales through the play store than through his own site's vendor process. Nature of the beast.
As for payment, walking into a store and putting cash on an unregistered mc or visa debit/gift card is simple enough and works for most online purchases with the exception of subscriptions/recurring billing. If all I wanted was a $6 app for instance I would just load $10 on the card. Better to risk compromising pocket change than to risk compromising your checking account. Plus it's anon if you follow the correct opsec procedures.

Michael Westen said:
This. Google messed up. It seems in their ham fisted attempt to target scammers they ended up locking the play balances of untold thousands (perhaps more) of legitimate accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New accounts balance can be use by ip and vpn if anyone wants to transfer Google play balance from old to new account contact me +923165779897

SkrubbyJohnny said:
I am having the same issue, except with Indonesia. I previously bought IDR gift cards and could redeem them just fine, but since today that has no longer been working and I get the same error. The Google account has its store and region set to Indonesia and I have tried using a VPN to no avail. No clue how to fix this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any solution to this issue yet sir ?
Im also from Indonesia and having the same issue. Tried to contact google and their answer is not helping.

Borororon said:
Any solution to this issue yet sir ?
Im also from Indonesia and having the same issue. Tried to contact google and their answer is not helping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope but I also don't live in Indonesia, I am guessing this change in Google policy is targeted at people like me. My Play Store region is set to Indonesia, I have tried using a VPN in Indonesia and setting my GPS location to Indonesia all at the same time, but Google still somehow detects that I am not in Indonesia. No clue how to activate my cards.