Is build prop no longer able to fool the play store? - General Questions and Answers

I have a device on actual 5.1.1, and a device fooled to 5.1.1 which is actually 4.0.4 (I know, they're both older)
The real 5.1.1 has much more in the way of updates on the play store than the fooled one. When I had first played with build prop it did work quite well in letting me install a game I wanted to keep using. Now I went in to try and download Zedge, the fooled one is saying incompatible while the real 5.1.1 downloaded the updates no issues. So.... What's the new fix?
To go into about phone, both say 5.1.1
Anyone know the latest workaround? I tried transferring the apk from one to the other, but "there was an issue parsing this package" or something to that effect, on my older device...
I'm hanging onto the older one for both physical size and preferred more basic operation. My real 5.1.1 I use as a tablet as it's just too wide for my hands for frequent ambidextrous swipe texting. The odd typing that isn't time sensitive I don't mind my larger device, but for everyday conversation use I much prefer my older smaller model. I love Samsung, wish they still made mini models. Now they're forcing the edge too... I know I'm in the rare few but I enjoy touchwiz too. (Just for those who will want to say just get a new phone, I've covered all the bases lol)
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Related

[Q] Should I update to the new android market or not?

I'm running stock 2.3.3 and I'm still on the old market software (2.3.4). Will my handset update to the new market automatically? Are there any benefits to the new market besides the improve GUI? (I'm desperately hoping the search is improved!)
As much I'd like the fancy new look of the new market, I'm wary of updating due to the new auto-update feature in case my phone has a dodgy eMMC. Is there anyway to disable the auto-update feature before it gets chance to start?
Please note, the new market is very very slow...
Not much of an upgrade apart from the visual changes
olyloh6696 said:
Please note, the new market is very very slow...
Not much of an upgrade apart from the visual changes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The earlier versions of the new market were slow, eg 3.1.5, but the new one is much better, i.e. 3.3.11
Plus, the new version prevents simultaneous installs and crashes, with apps being installed sequentially. I've been flashing new ROMs with the new market, and my apps all reinstall automatically, i've never faced a hangup yet!
Plus, the new market gives you a one-click abort to stop installation of all apps in one go... unlike the old one where you had to cancel each app one by one... Also, there is the option to only update when on wifi. Saves mobile data package and if you have that option checked, and you're not on wifi, your apps wont update at all!!
I would definitely recommend the new market.
The good news is that the new version had a setting to disable auto updates.
The bad news is that Oli is right. For the sake of a fancy UI, it's slower, laggy, and will frequently tell you updates are available for apps when in fact they are not. The latest version 3.3.11 is slightly better than previous efforts, but i still have to abort updates, clear data, and get false update notifications.
If you are on stock and not rooted, google will be pushing this polished turd onto your phone soon.
Sent from my Desire S using xda premium
Yeah, I forgot to mention that wnp
It is slightly better with the new 3.3.11 compared to 3.x.x but could still do with a speed boost!
Market 3.2.0 was just released a few days ago! Wonder what changes it brings!
@enigmaamit wow never knew that! So are you saying that it could be safe to hit auto update on all apps, as it does it one by one? No more chance of a fried Emmc chip?
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
olyloh6696 said:
Yeah, I forgot to mention that wnp
It is slightly better with the new 3.3.11 compared to 3.x.x but could still do with a speed boost!
Market 3.2.0 was just released a few days ago! Wonder what changes it brings!
@enigmaamit wow never knew that! So are you saying that it could be safe to hit auto update on all apps, as it does it one by one? No more chance of a fried Emmc chip?
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, i've updated around 15 apps at one go, and the install occurs sequentially instead of simultaneously.
No issues so far (four different ROM flashes with the new market)
The biggest issue for me with the 3.x markets is that "compatibility check" of the application with the device registered. Since there are not too many of you complaining, I presume you are not using a non-standard screen density. If you do it, market will show for many application the "application is not compatible..." message and you're not allowed to download it. 240 screen density (standard for HDPI devices) is too big for my taste, I prefer something like 200-210. In this case alot of applications designed for HDPI cannot be installed (Skype for ex is one of them, but there are many).
Adding this on top of the slowness of the new market, makes me using the "old" 2.3.6 version which is perfect. Unfortunately this version was giving FCs with the ICS ROM I've tested (the alpha from superkid) so I am wondering if it will work at all on ICS or I should be forced to upgrade to the latest market (which is something I don't want).
If somebody finds out a way to bypass this compatibility check, please share, it is very annoying
Thanks for your input guys. I think I'm going to wait until the new market is pushed to my phone. Hopefully by then some more of the bugs might have been worked out. I'm in no rush.

Safe guarding 4.3(jellybean), stoping the shield from updating?

So when I noticed my Shield downloaded the 4.4 update, and went over the notes in it, I was like I better come to XDA and see if this is for me or not.
CLEARLY being an emulation junkie I need to stick with my beloved 4.3.
What I need to know is if there are any safeguards I can take to stop my shield from updating to 4.4 accidentally / automatically, seeing as the files are already on it waiting to be updated?
Edwii said:
So when I noticed my Shield downloaded the 4.4 update, and went over the notes in it, I was like I better come to XDA and see if this is for me or not.
CLEARLY being an emulation junkie I need to stick with my beloved 4.3.
What I need to know is if there are any safeguards I can take to stop my shield from updating to 4.4 accidentally / automatically, seeing as the files are already on it waiting to be updated?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long press the OTA notification, select app info, Uncheck the box that says show notifications. (Or go into apps and find Google services Framework, and disable it that way)
The Shield will not Automatically update on it's own regardless, but now you won't ever see the notification.
If you ever want to update just go into settings, about, Update.
There are other ways but I'm not sure if they will work with the Shield/Have not tried them.
You can also install the Gamepad Mapper, and new Tegra Zone. just grab these APKs and install them normally. This way you have the improved gamepad mapper, and remote streaming when you want it. The new Tegrazone app doesn't replace the old one, so you can still use the HQ old Tegrazone app. The Nvidia button will also only open the old app, I used Gravity box to set up the Y button to open the new Tegrazone app with a long press, and that works perfect.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2-JgUT2G-9vQjRha2JXVFBKdE0/edit?usp=sharing - TegraZone
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2-JgUT2G-9vakM2Z1M3bmQzQjg/edit?usp=sharing - Gamepad Mapper
The same thing happened to me. Since I use the Shield for emulators and some Android games (no interest with streaming PC games on a 5" display), I have no need for 4.4. Especially since emulators are reported to play slower and most of all, external writing for 3rd party apps has been killed by Goople (not spelling error).
The only catch here is the 464 MB update will still be taking up flash storage, since already downloaded. Added: Mine is still on 4.2, as was out of box when bought from Best Buy last week.
CDeviant said:
Long press the OTA notification, select app settings, disable notifications from the app that pops up. (Google services I think)
The Shield will not Automatically update on it's own regardless, but now you won't ever see the notification.
If you ever want to update just go into settings, about, Update.
There are other ways but I'm not sure if they will work with the Shield/Have not tried them.
You can also install the Gamepad Mapper, and new Tegra Zone. just grab these APKs and install them normally. This way you have the improved gamepad mapper, and remote streaming when you want it. The new Tegrazone app doesn't replace the old one, so you can still use the HQ old Tegrazone app. The Nvidia button will also only open the old app, I used Gravity box to set up the Y button to open the new Tegrazone app with a long press, and that works perfect.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2-JgUT2G-9vQjRha2JXVFBKdE0/edit?usp=sharing - TegraZone
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2-JgUT2G-9vakM2Z1M3bmQzQjg/edit?usp=sharing - Gamepad Mapper
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply, Some really handy information here for avoiding the update but getting the goods out of it.
I do have three follow up questions :
1. I want to really confirm what you are saying, that "the shield will not update on it's own" I've had my shield since July/13, I could swear that it's updated itself with out me pushing a button, like even the last update before kitkat, I really thought it updated on it's own. LIke if I shut the shield off, it wont force the update?
2. I have a 64gb sd card so it's not really a big deal that i lost 400megs of internal data doesn't seem like a big deal to me.
But I do wonder, there must be a way to delete those update files some how?
a. I've avoided rooting my shield mostly cause I'm lazy, never done it before, and it seems like it adds complications, should I?
3. About your work around suggestions;
a. What's the difference between the old tegrazone and new one?
b. Do I need to map a button for the new tegrazone or can I just open it like any other app?
c. What is the "remote streaming"? I mean I know about how I can stream from my PC to the shield at home, is this a feature that is new that lets me stream from like, wifi at a coffee shop or something?
4. This may be a better question for some where else, but as of right now the only real reason i'm avoiding the update is because of emulator performance. But from what I can tell there are a lot of negative things about this update.
What are the other pros and cons about the latest update? (I heard something about it effect the useability of my SD card among other things?)
I dont know if theyre in the same spot as other android devices but check the /data/fota folder for the new update files. If its there do me a huge favor please and copy the file and upload it. If you have a slow connect could u grab a couple files from it for me i need to check something.
Edwii said:
Thank you for the reply, Some really handy information here for avoiding the update but getting the goods out of it.
I do have three follow up questions :
1. I want to really confirm what you are saying, that "the shield will not update on it's own" I've had my shield since July/13, I could swear that it's updated itself with out me pushing a button, like even the last update before kitkat, I really thought it updated on it's own. LIke if I shut the shield off, it wont force the update?
2. I have a 64gb sd card so it's not really a big deal that i lost 400megs of internal data doesn't seem like a big deal to me.
But I do wonder, there must be a way to delete those update files some how?
a. I've avoided rooting my shield mostly cause I'm lazy, never done it before, and it seems like it adds complications, should I?
3. About your work around suggestions;
a. What's the difference between the old tegrazone and new one?
b. Do I need to map a button for the new tegrazone or can I just open it like any other app?
c. What is the "remote streaming"? I mean I know about how I can stream from my PC to the shield at home, is this a feature that is new that lets me stream from like, wifi at a coffee shop or something?
4. This may be a better question for some where else, but as of right now the only real reason i'm avoiding the update is because of emulator performance. But from what I can tell there are a lot of negative things about this update.
What are the other pros and cons about the latest update? (I heard something about it effect the useability of my SD card among other things?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I've rebooted/power off my Shield many times, no problems. I think I've had it on 4.3 since 4/16 it's never updated on it's own, but I do have CWM (custom recovery)
2. The only way around that is unlocking the bootloader and rooting. It's a simple process, getting the environment to use ADB and getting the drivers to all work properly is key, and the hardest part. the process goes: Unlock bootloader > Flash custom recovery (CWM) > Flash root package with CWM.
3. a. Better ui, and streaming options, but lower quality video, and sound lag when streaming. Remote streaming. - New TegraZone
b. No, you can open it like any other app.
c. Exactly, it lets you stream your games away from home, and it's not bad.
4. Really the only cons I see in 4.4 are the SD restrictions, and the worse performance/battery life, everything else is great! The overall polish of Kitkat is really nice, probably my biggest pro is the immersive status bar. Being able to pull the status bar down while streaming a game is really nice (or anywhere fullscreen really)
If you do end up rooting/unlocking your shield, I recommend eventually installing the Xposed Installer and getting Gravity box, there's a lot of useful tweaks in there. :good:
Seems if the main focus is Android and emulator games, stay away from 4.4, but if main focus is PC gaming, 4.4 is the way to go. The stutter that happens due to the random throttle issues with emulators and control input ruins the emulators for me. If I had not been used to them playing smooth on my other devices and the Shield as is, perhaps I would not be as bothered. The difference though is very noticeable to me. Even NES and PCE games stutter/lag. Not good cricket!
If there is an Nvidia update that fixes this issue, I will consider starting from scratch with unlocking and then rooting to remove external write restrictions. Right now, the performance issue does not warrant the effort or free time wasted starting over again.
hexitnow said:
I dont know if theyre in the same spot as other android devices but check the /data/fota folder for the new update files. If its there do me a huge favor please and copy the file and upload it. If you have a slow connect could u grab a couple files from it for me i need to check something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Need to be rooted to access. Of course. Drat.
I would like the 4.3 update. I guess I was a week too late buying this.
4.4 No lag for me in any emulators other than some rooms in reicast. Arcade is mint. I spend a lot of time with cps2 and neo geo games. If you're having speed issues in 4.4 try a better emulator. Haven't had any speed issues with retro arch.
Sent from my LG-D959 using Tapatalk
Sess said:
4.4 No lag for me in any emulators other than some rooms in reicast. Arcade is mint. I spend a lot of time with cps2 and neo geo games. If you're having speed issues in 4.4 try a better emulator. Haven't had any speed issues with retro arch.
Sent from my LG-D959 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"A better emulator"
That just isn't really the problem though, these same emulators were perfect before.
If you have them both, please try Castlevania Aria of Sorrow on GBA.emu
It's unplayable on 4.4, but perfect on later android versions, even with 0 frameskip and hq2x rendering. Now on the other hand, the My Boy! emulator seems to work nearly as well on both android versions and I played through Tomba with FPse partly with 4.3, and finishing it on 4.4, I noticed very little difference. So not all emulators have taken a hit, but it's there even in the system.. and don't get me started on battery life.
Basically I'm kinda agreeing with you. But, there is some issue either with Android 4.4, or whatever Nvidia did.
A little more on Topic. Ever since I disabled the notification from Google Services, and deleted the update from the cache partition, It hasn't downloaded again! It's been 2 days since I did that, and It's had plenty of times to download an OTA. (reboots, sleep with wifi on, etc.) It might download if you go to the update settings, so watch out.
Well I'm glad that I checked out XDA before I purchased a shield. I was looking for emulators, some android gaming, and for sure PC streaming since I have a powerful rig. I'll wait until Nvidia gets this stuff sorted. I planned to root and unlock so I'm not too worried about the external storage issues.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
CDeviant said:
"A better emulator"
That just isn't really the problem though, these same emulators were perfect before.
If you have them both, please try Castlevania Aria of Sorrow on GBA.emu
It's unplayable on 4.4, but perfect on later android versions, even with 0 frameskip and hq2x rendering. Now on the other hand, the My Boy! emulator seems to work nearly as well on both android versions and I played through Tomba with FPse partly with 4.3, and finishing it on 4.4, I noticed very little difference. So not all emulators have taken a hit, but it's there even in the system.. and don't get me started on battery life.
Basically I'm kinda agreeing with you. But, there is some issue either with Android 4.4, or whatever Nvidia did.
A little more on Topic. Ever since I disabled the notification from Google Services, and deleted the update from the cache partition, It hasn't downloaded again! It's been 2 days since I did that, and It's had plenty of times to download an OTA. (reboots, sleep with wifi on, etc.) It might download if you go to the update settings, so watch out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you are a gamer/emulator fan, you probably will not notice as much, but we do. Smooth with 4.2 to stuttery with 4.4 is not an option IMO, so 4.4 is not happening- unless there is an update to fix it
People refer to Retroarch, but compared to the other dedicated emulators, it does not have the same level of features (nor perform as good with some). Also, the lack of individual system defined directories for the different roms is a major pain. :silly:

Beware of pre-release "Lollipop" apps

I came across a site today which purported to have several Lollipop apps that could be installed on KitKat phones (I have a Moto X Gen 1). As I looked more closely, I noticed that the keyboard came with a warning that it could record any keystrokes, including credit card info, etc. Now, this may be a standard warning that comes with the genuine Lollipop keyboard. Still, it was enough to keep me from actually installing it. I did pilfer a few Lollipop wallpapers, since I figured those would be safer.
Anyway, I'm realizing once again that, when it comes to waiting for a new Android release, patience is a virtue.
You will get that from any 3rd party keyboard app. And as far as stock keyboard from google don't think google doesn't have the same permissions.
O.K., thanks for the clarification.
varxx said:
I came across a site today which purported to have several Lollipop apps that could be installed on KitKat phones (I have a Moto X Gen 1). As I looked more closely, I noticed that the keyboard came with a warning that it could record any keystrokes, including credit card info, etc. Now, this may be a standard warning that comes with the genuine Lollipop keyboard. Still, it was enough to keep me from actually installing it. I did pilfer a few Lollipop wallpapers, since I figured those would be safer.
Anyway, I'm realizing once again that, when it comes to waiting for a new Android release, patience is a virtue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, just to reiterate, every single keyboard app comes with that working.. if you try installing swiftkey, kii keyboard etc or anything from the playstore. It has the ability to log all your keystrokes so they show that warning. But it is probably a safe practice to avoid downloading apks from the web anyways, unless you really trust the site. ( I do it anyways but its a risk I'm willing to take)

Are there any usable ROMs?

Are there any ROMs that work well/ respond to touch quickly?
I recently pulled out my old tf201 to try to start using it again. I was able to get the last version of HairyBean working.. But it is really really slow. Like I'll click a button and maybe 30 seconds later it will respond (or tell me the app isn't responding). I mostly use it for my kids to watch shows. Once the show starts it works great, but just navigating the menus and apps to get to the shows can be excruciating. Also, I know thisdevice has WiFi issues just due to the all metal construction, but I feel like the WiFi is even slower than what it used to be when I actually used this 5 years ago or so.
I flashed a couple of other ROMs and either had a lot of bugs, or couldn't get root, or something. Does anyone have any recommendation for a ROM that works well and is actually usable? Thanks!
Anyone??!! I recently put kashmellow (tduros android M). Gapps no longer works so I didn't install that. Many people say its fast w/no gapps. But mine is barely usable. So slow. What the heck happened to these devices? Thing used to be a beast! Believe it came with ICS
I use KatKiss timduru site and xda thread, it is Android 4.4.4 ROM and it is quite fast an somewhat usable. I also have old Google Play Services 10.5.42 that mostly do not crash so even Play store works. However many new apps either cannot be installed or crash because of missing NEON support, sometimes older apk versions work. Basically I keep it for lot of old stuff that still works but don't update anything (or keep Titanium backup of apk+data and often restore back to old version when newer one crashes or needs newer play services).

Getting older "universal" architecture apps to run on s7 arm architecture?

I want to download and actually be able to use an older version of handcent SMS messenger. It's more compact and basic yet new enough to support the modern themes and such. I have the same version, 6.9.5.9, able to run on my s5 neo, and even as far back as my old Samsung captivate glide. While it's still under "universal" architecture on apkmirror, it always crashes on the s7. Doesn't universal mean, you know, universal, as in works everywhere? Does anyone know of some sort of work around where I can get it actually working? It installs fine, but crashes upon opening instantly. Every time.
I know most want the newest and "best" but for me I'm cool with tried and true. I hope there's a way. I already had to give up on stock marshmallow as much as I preferred it as even a custom kernel led to a soft brick (and not working vibration like intended) so I've been trying to deal with Oreo best I can ... But I want to at least be able to use the apps I want looking the way I prefer.... The odd part is my old keyboard app works flawlessly and it's actually even older than the messenger I'm trying to install...
Help? Advice? Hacks?
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
1. This is in the wrong section.
2. Maybe the app doesn't work with Oreo, what version of Android were you running on your s5?
3. Have you tried a different ROM?

Categories

Resources