Related
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.
I use different aplications for creating tracks/routes for trekking, hiking, cycling...
I transfer GPX (or KML) files into Locus Pro app on my phone, where I use track with offline maps for navigation. It's also important for me to have option to add points of interest on that track.
Is there any option to use that kind of navigation on Gear S2?
Ideal would be option to transfer track and map (smaller part or region) on watch, with similar onscreen guidance as for example Locus or Google Maps. (Well, Locus app for Gear S2 would probably be my biggest wish. )
Other solution would be offline maps with track (and POI) on phone and partial mirroring of screen on watch. Similar like HERE, but mora that just arrows and roundabout exits.
Apps that I found so far:
HERE - not suitable for my needs. (I use offroad maps)
Gear Navigator - can't find app in Gear Store. (Or I don't know how to make it work?) I don't know if it works completely offline.
Komoot - it takes long time to start/find location. Tested on bike route outside and lost signal/navigation several times. and it doesnt show map.
I'm guessing (but not sure) that you have a 3G watch with internal GPS, in which case when I search for "navigator" on the app store I see "Gear Navigator Standalone," which is supposed to work without getting a location from your phone over bluetooth. (I don't have a 3G, so haven't tried it.)
If you don't have a 3G variation of the S2, and thus expect to have your watch connected to your phone via bluetooth when hiking and/or biking, Samsung's android S-Health app can track your travels when you initiate hiking or biking from the watch, and the resulting track can be saved and used in other apps after the fact. But that doesn't offer on-watch turn-by-turn guidance, afaik.
I have non 3G version. I can see my location on watch (Maps for Gear) or show simple navigation instructions (HERE for Gear). So getting GPS location from phone is not an issue.
What I'm looking for is not to track my path, but showing the map/route to follow.
Blonti said:
I have non 3G version. I can see my location on watch (Maps for Gear) or show simple navigation instructions (HERE for Gear). So getting GPS location from phone is not an issue.
What I'm looking for is not to track my path, but showing the map/route to follow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know why you're not seeing Gear Navigator. That has the option to choose between using online Google maps data or offline Here map data from your phone, and shows turn by turn, as well as -- optionally -- a tiny map showing your location/direction. Was a bit buggy when I tried it, but that was a while ago. I've had decent luck with komoot guidance when biking; it knows my local bike paths pretty well.
There's evidence that the Gear S2's bluetooth connection is laggy. Some software developers have mentioned this. I think this shows up in the navigation apps, so that directions to turn sometimes appear a bit late, just when you're at the intersection rather than 30 seconds before. Don't know if this is hardware or software problem. (I wonder if it has to do with battery saving efforts on the part of the Gear S2's designers.)
tstreete said:
Don't know why you're not seeing Gear Navigator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contacted developer of Gear Navigator and it seems that there are some regional restrictions. Developer can't add my country, because it's not "in developer panel". I contacted later Samsung in my country and they said I should contact developer about his. Not funny!
I do believe that there is in fact problem that Samsung didn't add my country to the list of countries that have (full) access to paid apps. I explained to Samsung Suppport that other app stores work already in our country (like Google Store or iTunes Store) even for paid apps. Since both devices that I use (Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Gear S2 Sport) are available in my country for purchase I expect to have access also to paid apps. I do understand that some apps are only in some regions available. But in this case, where developers wants to allow access, he is unable to do so, because my country is somehow not listed.
I've run into the Samsung support "it's the developer's problem" thing before; eventually one of them explained that things having to do with the store are just outside of their training. I wonder if there's anything we can do on this list to communicate to Samsung all the problems with their support. (The folks on the end of the phone are probably underpaid and undertrained and get blamed by their bosses if we give them bad ratings, so we'd need a way to reach somewhere higher in the system.)
OK, sorry - this is now off-topic, but may eventually partial solve (kind of) problem of navigation - if I could get access to Gear Navigator app for Gear S2.
How does Samsung define which country is in which region for access to Gear Store (or even Galaxy Store)? Is there any list of regions and countries in specific region?
(My country is part of Europe and EU member. However I can't access paid apps in Gear Store*. I guess some users from other EU countries can access paid apps in Gear Store. In this case my country must be in other region - probably. I'd like to clear this up and maybe ask someone at Samsung to change region for my country.)
* - I checked and I see only free apps also in "Galaxy App". Could be same reason. I never bothered with it, because I buy app through Google Play store.
I solved the problem - installed Gear Navigator.
I had to change the Samsung Gear Store to other country:
1. Installed VPN app on my phone
2. Cleared data for Galaxy Apps
3. Removed SIM card
4. Restart phone
5. Run VPN app (I choose region UK)
6. Run Samsung Gear Store and chose location UK
7. Browse apps that were before (for me) unavailable
9. Payment for apps works either with credit card or PayPal
I have installed (bought) all apps that I need.
Hello,
Question about "Gear Navigator".
Do you know the adress where I must save a gpx file to use it as a trace to follow ?
Thanks !
totospv said:
Hello,
Question about "Gear Navigator".
Do you know the adress where I must save a gpx file to use it as a trace to follow ?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No response on above. I am also interested to find out whether I can view GPX on Gear Navigator and how to do it. Thanks.
JurekDJ said:
No response on above. I am also interested to find out whether I can view GPX on Gear Navigator and how to do it. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need a file manager for android, I use ES File Explorer, to open the gpx. When you touch the file the file explorer will ask you which app you want to open it with. You select Gear Navigator. You can even export GPX files from SHealth tracked running or hiking or cycling sessions and then upload it to Gear Navigator and use it to redo the same track.
Hey guys,
So I sideloaded GMS on my p40 pro with redskull's instructions on youtube and didn't have notifications after that. Then used Multi tool 8 to disable gsf and then enable it again. Notifications came back, but location services aren't working correctly. In google maps, I have my location, but no arrow on the blue dot, so I can't see which direction I'm facing. Other apps that use google's location services don't work at all, they stall at "google play services are updating".
Is there a way to get location services in other apps working?
Thanks in advance!
disable Google Services Framework then works.
Thanks for your reply. I did that and it worked.
So now the play store isn't working. Are there any other disadvantages by disabling gsf?
If you need Playstore -> activate gsf then deactivate again
I don't know what sideload meant, nor why would you disable anything, but on my P40 I got maps and notifications working. I used another guide.
stewakg said:
I don't know what sideload meant, nor why would you disable anything, but on my P40 I got maps and notifications working. I used another guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please link this guide here.
Any idea why Gmail notifications aren't working after disabling gfs?
Duplicate post
While we wait that @stewakg posts mentioned guide, disabling GSF still does not work for applications like Tripadvisor which require Google location precision to work. Such applications continously ask to enable Google precision and do not acquire position.
Any solution for this?
I am sorry all for late response.
This is guide I have used. I got European model bought in Germany. I have maps, play store with pay(can buy apps and games) and notifications.
Also I'd that helps, I got YouTube Vanced and microG installed.
Hope this will help someone. Cheers.
famusc said:
While we wait that @stewakg posts mentioned guide, disabling GSF still does not work for applications like Tripadvisor which require Google location precision to work. Such applications continously ask to enable Google precision and do not acquire position.
Any solution for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you find a solution to this? I have many regional specific apps that don't want to work. They have similar failures as you're describing after loading GMS/GSF. My problematic apps are Lyft/Bay Wheels and Gig Car Share.
desertflyer said:
Did you find a solution to this? I have many regional specific apps that don't want to work. They have similar failures as you're describing after loading GMS/GSF. My problematic apps are Lyft/Bay Wheels and Gig Car Share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sorry. I have no solution for this.
The best thing is with GSF disabled for me: i will not use location in tripadvisor but I will survive.
I understand that for you is not that good but I hope for a real solution.
desertflyer said:
Did you find a solution to this? I have many regional specific apps that don't want to work. They have similar failures as you're describing after loading GMS/GSF. My problematic apps are Lyft/Bay Wheels and Gig Car Share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A user said this:
Freeze again GSF. Go to Aurora Store and update Google Play Services. Unfreeze GSF. Restart.
I tried and locations work but I still get "Play Services are updating" in apps where a map is supposed to show, like Tripadvisor. So I can see the map which is important too. Can you try this and let me know? Thx
famusc said:
A user said this:
Freeze again GSF. Go to Aurora Store and update Google Play Services. Unfreeze GSF. Restart.
I tried and locations work but I still get "Play Services are updating" in apps where a map is supposed to show, like Tripadvisor. So I can see the map which is important too. Can you try this and let me know? Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I got the apps I needed working with Google Maps integrated in them. Maybe this will work for you. (I am still having issues with notifications for many apps with GMS installed.)
I have a C636 variant running 10.1.0.131. I started by following Redskull's guide here: https://youtu.be/4vki3DasrYc
That mostly went fine. The Play Store was still a bit buggy and I was still getting lots of notifications about running Play Services on a non-certified device.
Once I installed everything I needed from the Play Store, I then used Multitool to disable Google Services Framework (com.google.android.gsf). While GSF is disabled the Google Play Store does not work, as most of your know. Google Maps integrations work in all of the apps I've tried so far: Lyft, Bay Wheels, Gig Car Share, Lime, Bird, Revel, Zipcar, Getaround, Flywheel, Transit, Swarm/Foursquare, and Yelp.
Notably, Spin does not work. It keeps telling me "For a better experience turn on device location, which uses Google's location services" and no matter if I hit No Thanks or OK, it keeps popping up over and over again making the app unusable. Bay Wheels has a separate bug where it cannot access the camera to unlock a bike, but it gives the option to enter the bike number instead so it's not a big issue. QR unlock works with Lime. That's all I've tested so far though.
Google Location Services does not work
No matter how you got GMS onto your Huawei Phone / Tablet that doesn't come with GMS, no matter what workaround you use to get everything working (i.e freezing GSF to get push notifications working), there doesn't appear to be any solution for GLS. It simply doesn't work. Any app that relies on it exclusively is broken. For instance Google Location Sharing, or Google Timeline. Probably others, but those are the ones I use the most. Google Maps, Waze, and other navigation apps will just use your GPS to get your location (which doesn't work if you're in an enclosed building with no view of the satellites). You can try to turn it on: Settings->Location->Location Services->Google Location Accuracy->Improve Location Accuracy, but it will turn itself off shortly.
My timeline works fine and "improve location accuracy" was on by default when I just checked. I even turned it off and on again and it stays on.
Mine works as well as does location sharing.
frogdr1ver said:
Mine works as well as does location sharing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, that's great. Maybe you could tell me how you accomplished that? A working Google Location Services is probably the last thing I need to get going on my P40 Pro+. With GSF frozen, "improve location accuracy" keeps getting disabled. If I try to share my location, I get "Location sharing isn't enabled on this device. Fix", but Fix does nothing. With GSF unfrozen, I get a never ending stream of Google Play Protection messages (which can be turned off, but I'm sure still affect the phone), I can turn on Location Accuracy, but Location Sharing still says "Location sharing isn't enabled on this device. Fix" and a message "Unable to get an accurate location" when I press Fix even with a good GPS lock.
I didn't do anything other than follow the guide from 26th sept, I don't freeze play and canceled the notifications as per the guide. I also manually manage maps rather than let it be automatic.
frogdr1ver said:
I didn't do anything other than follow the guide from 26th sept, I don't freeze play and canceled the notifications as per the guide. I also manually manage maps rather than let it be automatic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Google Services Framework unfrozen, Google Play Books no longer works. And even though Location Accuracy is enabled, I still get the ""Location sharing isn't enabled on this device. Fix" message when I try to share my location through Google Maps. Do you know what versions of Google Play Store, Google Play Services, and Google Services Framework you have installed? Are any patched or are they all unmodified Google apps?
Hi,
there is any way to make Google Maps works without the mobile phone with the non LTE version?
I mean my watch 4 have the GPS sensor, if it is connected to the city WIFi, I'm able to open Maps, see where I'm, but when I select a destination point it doesn't start the navigation.. Y?
Then, there is any way to download some Maps area to use it offline? Would be very useful to running without mobile phone..
Thanks!!
Same question...
I can't believe that Google redeveloped this application and still left it in such a poor state. I don't know why you can't use it offline in the slightest - you'd think the most powerful smartwatch going would be able to navigate at least basically by downloading offline maps to the watch - there is plenty of space for it.
You can't even appear to move the map around when navigating...
Currently if your phone dies for any reason you have no chance of navigating out with Google maps on your watch.
LaurenceGough said:
I can't believe that Google redeveloped this application and still left it in such a poor state. I don't know why you can't use it offline in the slightest - you'd think the most powerful smartwatch going would be able to navigate at least basically by downloading offline maps to the watch - there is plenty of space for it.
You can't even appear to move the map around when navigating...
Currently if your phone dies for any reason you have no chance of navigating out with Google maps on your watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Currently you can create offline maps in Google Maps on the phone app. I do this quite a bit because I'm in areas without mobile data. It would be great if they had a feature in Google Maps (phone) where you could download the maps to your watch. It currently lets you download them to SD card. The map that I use the most which covers much of the state of Wisconsin is only 300 mb.
What is even more maddening about the Google Maps watch app is that it does not work when you are running google maps on phone with offline map (with no mobile data). At the very least you would think the watch could use the offline map on phone.
You mentioned your concern of phone dieing and navigating out. Navigating out of what? There are map apps which you can download maps to your watch. I have not found a free one but ViewRanger looks promising. Not sure I'm ready to pay $40 a year though...
My watch has 4G connection but i don't know how to use map without my phone.
its not starting unless my phone is connected to the watch
affe2000 said:
My watch has 4G connection but i don't know how to use map without my phone.
its not starting unless my phone is connected to the watch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the LTE version, so can't vouch for this personally, but this might help:
unfortunally this is not working in my case. i have the same settings turned on but the watch still want my phone to be connected
Unfortunately, the method shown also did not work for me.
When connected to the phone (S9), my Galaxy watch4 (non LTE version), allows me to search for locations on the watch, but Google Maps also opens up on the phone, so I have the required maps and directions both on the phone and on the watch.
Together (connected), they function without problem.
Away from the phone, after opening Maps on the watch and searching for directions, all I get is a blue dot on the centre of the watch screen and a message "Waiting for location..." until, after a minute or so, an exclamation mark shows up above the message "Couldn't get location".
Is there any solution to "navigate" with Maps independently from the phone?
Only thing to do is be as loud as possible until google actually fixes it. Having no offline map when the older samsung watches had it is outrageous.
oniceto said:
Unfortunately, the method shown also did not work for me.
When connected to the phone (S9), my Galaxy watch4 (non LTE version), allows me to search for locations on the watch, but Google Maps also opens up on the phone, so I have the required maps and directions both on the phone and on the watch.
Together (connected), they function without problem.
Away from the phone, after opening Maps on the watch and searching for directions, all I get is a blue dot on the centre of the watch screen and a message "Waiting for location..." until, after a minute or so, an exclamation mark shows up above the message "Couldn't get location".
Is there any solution to "navigate" with Maps independently from the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The method shown on video was for a LTE watch. Regarding a solution for navigating away from phone, unfortunately not. The ideal option would be for there to be an option to move offline maps (which currently can be created with Google Maps on your phone) to your watch. The file sizes are not that big. Another thing that would be nice is if they allowed you to navigate with non-LTE watch connected to phone which was using offline maps. Currently this does not work. The phone needs data (LTE or wifi) in order to navigate on non-LTE watch with Maps.
Is there any alternative app that works standalone?
affe2000 said:
Is there any alternative app that works standalone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to suggest open street map, but it doesn't appear there is a wearOS version.
OsmAnd — Maps & GPS Offline - Apps on Google Play
Navigation on hikes is no longer a problem. Download the map, put notes and go!
play.google.com
Simple OSM Viewer - Apps on Google Play
Open street maps and OpenTOPO viewer with drag, zoom, and my location options
play.google.com
You might be able to at least make a vector PDF of a map of an area and view THAT somehow on the watch.
I don't understand how it is not possible yet to use an online or offline map on the Galaxy Watch only. Specially a GPX Reader with your current position (like GPX Viewer)
Offline
https://www.reddit.com/r/WearOS/comments/ugk8jw
There is an excellent app called "Maps" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.trackwear.maps) which has ability to download maps for offline use. You select square of area which you want to be downloaded and that's it. You can even select do themes of maps like Satellite view with street names or something else like terrain.
I am also searching for offline maps and without Phone...
Somebody tested the Pro Version with Germany?
GPS Navigation (Wear OS) - Apps on Google Play
Turn-by-turn navigation and offline maps
play.google.com
Need for Germany offline solution...
Thanx in advance.
Best Regards
With the latest app updates, some G-app (like Duo, Keep, …etc) got this message “App won't run without google play services, which are missing from your devices … INSTALL”, even though "Google Play Services" is installed with the latest version. Sometimes games are stuck at the loading screen like “ActionTaima..” because the game can't access Google Services correctly. The workaround solution was to find & revert back to the proper/previous version & Uninstall/re-install them, whenever G-store updates them automatically. It's kinda annoying
After research, trailer & error, I found that updating “Google Services Framework”, does solve this issue. I presume, latest G-app deals with “Android 11+”, therefore, Google Services Framework must be updated in order to match with it.
1) Download Google Services Framework 11-6684105
2) Install & enable Autostart & Reboot your system.
I'm glad to hear any other methods or solutions
I'm not sure if this will help, I recall getting the same problem on my emulators some time back, and was able to resolve it by downloading Google Play Games, and in doing so, that forced the Play Services to update. Maybe it will help?
Google Play Games - Apps on Google Play
Play games instantly, save progress, and earn achievements.
play.google.com
APK Downloader [Latest] Download Directly | June 2023 | (Evozi Official)
Download APKs Directly From Google Play To Your Computer With APK Downloader Extension For Google Chrome
apps.evozi.com
incase you can't dl...
jenneh said:
I'm not sure if this will help, I recall getting the same problem on my emulators some time back, and was able to resolve it by downloading Google Play Games, and in doing so, that forced the Play Services to update. Maybe it will help?
Google Play Games - Apps on Google Play
Play games instantly, save progress, and earn achievements.
play.google.com
APK Downloader [Latest] Download Directly | June 2023 | (Evozi Official)
Download APKs Directly From Google Play To Your Computer With APK Downloader Extension For Google Chrome
apps.evozi.com
incase you can't dl...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind sharing the emulator name that you struggle with before?
As for me (BS4Pro CN ROM), I never installed/used "Google Play Games.apk" at all. I just played them direclty as well as all known emulator are working perfectly including the new one AetherSX2 (The Beast).
ksbwings said:
Would you mind sharing the emulator name that you struggle with before?
As for me (BS4Pro CN ROM), I never installed/used "Google Play Games.apk" at all. I just played them direclty as well as all known emulator are working perfectly including the new one AetherSX2 (The Beast).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was on previous generations of Nox and Windroye for me.
jenneh said:
It was on previous generations of Nox and Windroye for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For android emulator on PC, I believe it should be just fine. If got any issues , just enabling root feature, & try to manipulation with system on emulator or add 3rd party app to modify. FYI, I was using MEmu on PC.
ksbwings said:
With the latest app updates, some G-app (like Duo, Keep, …etc) got this message “App won't run without google play services, which are missing from your devices … INSTALL”, even though "Google Play Services" is installed with the latest version. Sometimes games are stuck at the loading screen like “ActionTaima..” because the game can't access Google Services correctly. The workaround solution was to find & revert back to the proper/previous version & Uninstall/re-install them, whenever G-store updates them automatically. It's kinda annoying
After research, trailer & error, I found that updating “Google Services Framework”, does solve this issue. I presume, latest G-app deals with “Android 11+”, therefore, Google Services Framework must be updated in order to match with it.
1) Download Google Services Framework 11-6684105
2) Install & enable Autostart & Reboot your system.
I'm glad to hear any other methods or solutions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! My issue solved.
Im still having issues with google play services updating/ cant locate my location for some delivery apps... Hoping someone have a solution on this. Im using bs4s
Erushun said:
Im still having issues with google play services updating/ cant locate my location for some delivery apps... Hoping someone have a solution on this. Im using bs4s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, google play services is updatable and google MAP can be used normally.
However, accessing location/map with 3rd app party (such as WhatsApp ...etc ) has multiple scenarios;;
- View "received map" from other == Perfectly Working !!
- Locate your current location == Working ( but a black screen, just point GPS and send ) !!
- Navigate the map to select different location == Not working (Just black screen)
I suggest you open a new thread, so people can hopefully share & react to the issue.
my google services is updated to latest version. still encountering the play services error. google keep and google pay keeps looking for google play services. even mcdonalds app is looking for it.