Android App not compatible with devices that sideload Google Play

Question

I have an app which has been deployed to Play and is compatible with any device running 2.1 or later; no special restrictions or requirements defined in AndroidManifest.xml.

There have been several complaints from users trying to install the app via Google Play but getting messages that it is not compatible. In all of these cases sideloading the app works perfectly.

Digging a little deeper into the problem it appears that in all cases, the people reporting the problem are using a device that did not ship with Google Play installed. IE. the device probably failed Google's CTS.

Having said that, they are able to install other apps via Google Play but not ours. Again, sideloading our app onto these devices works fine. Does anybody know why this might be? I assume it must be something I am doing incorrectly in AndroidManifest.xml but I see nothing suspicious.

EDIT: Here's the AndroidManifest.xml, altered to protect the names of the innocent:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      package="com.foo.bar"
      android:versionCode="1"
      android:versionName="@string/global_app_version">
    <uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="7" android:targetSdkVersion="10"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
    <application android:label="@string/global_app_short_name" android:icon="@drawable/app">
        <activity android:name=".HomeActivity"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/>
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <activity android:name=".AActivity"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <activity android:name=".BActivity"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <activity android:name=".CActivity"
                  android:launchMode="singleTask"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar"
                  android:windowSoftInputMode="stateHidden">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <activity android:name=".DActivity"
                  android:launchMode="singleTask"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <activity android:name=".EActivity"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <activity android:name=".FActivity"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <!-- This activity is invoked whenever an xxx is opened -->
        <activity android:name=".GActivity"
                  android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Black.NoTitleBar">
            <intent-filter android:label="@string/global_app_short_name">
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW"/>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.EDIT"/>
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT"/>
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE"/>
                <data android:mimeType="application/xxx"/>
                <data android:mimeType="application/yyy"/>
                <data android:mimeType="application/zzz"/>
                <data android:mimeType="application/aaa"/>
                <data android:mimeType="application/bbb"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
    </application>
</manifest> 

Answer 1

I found the culprit - Copy Protection was enabled. From Google's notes on the setting: http://developer.android.com/guide/google/play/filters.html

To copy protect an application, set copy protection to "On" when you configure publishing options for your application. Google Play will not show copy-protected applications on developer devices or unreleased devices.

In other words, having to side-load Google Play is just a side effect of being an "unreleased device" / device that fails the Google CTS. In any case, disabling copy protection resolved the issue.

Answer 2

Maybe the hardware they are running is not compatible with your app? Maybe you require a touch screen and they don't have it; maybe you require telephony and they don't have it?

Note that depending on your target api you might get some implicit hardware requirements.

Anyway, trying to get a log from them would be most helpful!

Answer 3

Maybe the affected users can try and reset the Google Play Store app on their devices:

Menu --> Settings --> Apps --> Google Play Store

Then click "Force close" and "Clear data"

Then start Google Play Store again, login, and try to install your app again.

Answer 4

If you have any in-app products or if you are selling the application for money then Google Play automatically filters you out of certain countries it doesn't support billing for. You can email Google to ask here.