Android developers can restrict their apps to certain devices, countries, and minimum versions of Android. However, there are ways around these restrictions, allowing you to install apps marked as “not compatible with your device.”
Note that these tricks are all unsupported by Google. These tricks require fooling Google Play, and many require root. Some of these tricks may not work properly, as Google doesn’t want us doing these things.
Why Are Apps Incompatible?
Android developers can restrict their apps in a variety of ways:
- Some apps are marked as only being compatible with certain phones or tablets. However, they may run just fine on unsupported devices.
- Other apps are only allowed to be installed in certain countries. For example, you can’t install the Hulu Plus app outside the USA, and some online-banking apps are only available in the bank’s country.
- All apps have a minimum version of Android they require. For example, Google’s Chrome browser requires Android 4.0 or higher.
Bypass Device Restrictions
The new Market Helper app
allows you to spoof another device without editing your build.prop
file. It’s much easier, faster, and safer. (However, bear in mind that
it also requires root.)
Bear in mind that apps marked as incompatible may actually be incompatible with your device, so some apps may not work properly after you install them.
Click on Download
Installing Country-Restricted Apps
Some apps are only available in certain countries. If you have forgotten to install your bank’s app before travelling or you want to install a video or music-playing app that’s not available in your country, you may be able to fool Google into thinking your device is actually in another country.
Use a VPN to Install Country-Restricted Apps
You can use a VPN to fool Google into thinking your device is in another country. This may only work on devices without cellular connectivity, such as tablets, as Google may use the cellular network your device is on as its location.
Using a VPN doesn’t require root access. We have previously shown
you how to connect to VPNs on Android. If you need a free US or UK-based
VPN, try installing the TunnelBear
app. TunnelBear only gives you a certain amount of free data per month,
but it should be more than enough to install a few apps.
Restart your Android device, connect to a VPN located in the appropriate country,
and then open the Google Play app. Your device should hopefully now
appear to be located in another country, allowing you to download apps
available in the VPN’s country.
ENJOY :)
