Develop Reference

Google Play invisible app for certain smartphone

I'm new to Android developing and I'm facing a strange issue:
I published my app on google play with a minimum api level of 18 (android 4.4).
I tested my app with many android version and run fine except one device.
A Chinese smartphone (cubot P9) running android 4.5.5 don't see the app at all in the google play.
Despite of the android version should be compatible the play store mark the app as incompatible.
I can't believe the phone report a fake android version?
Can anyone give me an explanation?
The manifest file:
...
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-feature
android:name="android.hardware.camera"
android:required="true" />
<application
android:name=".Global"
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#mipmap/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:supportsRtl="true"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme">
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize|keyboardHidden"
android:label="#string/app_name">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<service android:name=".MyFirebaseMessagingService">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.google.firebase.MESSAGING_EVENT" />
</intent-filter>
</service>
<service android:name=".FirebaseIDService">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.google.firebase.INSTANCE_ID_EVENT" />
</intent-filter>
</service>
<service
android:name=".GPS_Service"
android:process=":myGPS_service" />
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.firebase.messaging.default_notification_channel_id"
android:value="mynotificationchannel" />
<activity android:name=".VisualizzaImmagine"></activity>
<activity android:name=".ShowInNewActivity"></activity>
</application>
...

I'd suggest to double check the versions declared in the manifest, for instance I didn't find a android:minSdkVersion in the attached manifest.
Also revise the phone capabilities, maybe your app requires some features such as screen density or specific hardware that are not available on the device.
Also if you have access to real device, you can develop a simple app to log/display the Android OS version:
Log.v("OS Version",String.valueOf(android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT));
and check if it's really supported by your app, you can verify that also from this table:
https://developer.android.com/reference/android/os/Build.VERSION_CODES.html

My android app is not available for tablets on google play

I made an android app for ordering a cab. I uploaded it on goole play and everything was fine until i tried to find the app over a tablet. I cannot find the app on google play. I googled the problem and i put the screen size in the manifest but its still not working.
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CALL_PHONE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<application
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#mipmap/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:supportsRtl="true">
<activity
android:name=".splash"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen" />
<activity
android:name=".order"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen" />
<activity
android:name=".personal"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen" />
<activity
android:name=".flight"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen" />
<activity android:name=".details"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen"></activity>
</application>
<supports-screens
android:anyDensity="true"
android:xlargeScreens="true"
android:largeScreens="true"
android:normalScreens="true"
android:smallScreens="true" />

Issue is in "android.permission.CALL_PHONE" permission that might not be available for tablets. You should add additional entry that shows that is not absolutely required feature and then handle that scenario in your code when you are accessing those features.
<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.telephony" android:required="false"/>
Android documentation for <uses-feature>

You should place screenshots for the Tablet Portion as well as the requirements needed by the Google Play for Tablets.

You should put all requirements for tablet and create .xml file for tablet in app layout folder and Screenshot for tablet. see more from documentation

Can't install APK correctly on device

I have built & sign my apk by Eclipse ADT as it is describes (export and sign by creating a new key). But it can't be install on real device while an errors occurs, such as "installer package error". I have no Android device & sent my apk to friends by email. I'm using AVD and everyth is fine with it. Any suggestions? Thanx guys.
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.XXXX.YYYY"
android:versionCode="0"
android:versionName="0.9.2" android:installLocation="internalOnly">
<uses-sdk
android:minSdkVersion="13"
android:targetSdkVersion="17" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<application
android:icon="#drawable/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme"
android:hardwareAccelerated="true"
android:permission="android.permission.INTERNET"
android:allowBackup="true">
<activity
android:name="com.XXXX.YYYY.ActivityMain"
android:label="#string/main_activity_title"
android:launchMode="singleTop" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<activity android:name="com.XXXX.YYYY.ActivityDetails"
android:parentActivityName="com.XXXX.YYYY.ActivityMain"
android:excludeFromRecents="true"
android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize">
</activity>
</application></manifest>
UPD: apk installs good, but the error occurs if choose Open (see screenshot). After that app works fine. But on tablet if try open app it says "App deleted".
UPD2: add supporting API 4+ meta tag for the 2nd activity, but it takes no effect
<meta-data
android:name="android.support.PARENT_ACTIVITY"
android:value="com.XXXX.YYYY.ActivityMain" />

You probably need to make sure your device and your friend's devices can install apps that are not from the play store.
This is a feature you have to specifically set, or else apps that are outside the play store will not install.
Here is how to set it:
Open settings
Find the Security settings (Pre 4.0 it is under Applications)
Look for a setting that says Unknown sources, or non-market apps
Enable that setting
Everything should work after that!
Here is an article with pictures if you are still confused :)

Your example was missing the closing </manifest> and android:enabled. I'm not sure if the latter would prevent a device from fully installing it but the first one would.
I've also had issues using the full activity names in the past, so you may want to try using simplifying them to see if it helps.
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.XXXX.YYYY"
android:versionCode="0"
android:versionName="0.9.2" android:installLocation="internalOnly">
<uses-sdk
android:minSdkVersion="13"
android:targetSdkVersion="17" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<application
android:icon="#drawable/ic_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme"
android:hardwareAccelerated="true"
android:allowBackup="true">
<activity
android:name=".ActivityMain"
android:label="#string/main_activity_title"
android:enabled="true"
android:permission="android.permission.INTERNET"
android:launchMode="singleTop" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<activity android:name=".ActivityDetails"
android:parentActivityName=".ActivityMain"
android:excludeFromRecents="true"
android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize">
</activity>
</application>
</manifest>

Is "Unknown sources" option under "security" allowed on device?

My problem was a duplicate internet permission request on Manifest! When I remove that from activity app was run normally.

Googlemaps on android is showing grey screen

I've just gotten my google maps application to not crash on startup, but now, when it opens, it just shows a grey/white background and buttons for zooming. I searched the web and I found that this may be a problem with my API-key, so I got a new key from google, but this didn't work either.
Here's a screenshot of how it looks.
link to image (I'm a new user, so I couldn't post a picture here)
Here's my manifest file:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.example.androidbasic12"
android:versionCode="1"
android:versionName="1.0"
>
<uses-feature
android:glEsVersion="0x00020000"
android:required="true"/>
<permission
android:name="come.example.androidbasics12.permission.MAPS_RECIEVE"
android:protectionLevel="signature"/>
<uses-permission
android:name="com.example.androidbasics12.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>
<uses-sdk
android:minSdkVersion="14"
android:targetSdkVersion="17" />
<application
android:allowBackup="true"
android:icon="#drawable/new_launcher"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#style/AppTheme" >
<!-- First xml to be loaded -->
<activity
android:name="com.example.androidbasic12.MainActivity"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:launchMode="singleInstance"
android:screenOrientation="portrait">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<!-- Opens main menu after splash has loaded -->
<activity
android:name=".myMenu"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:screenOrientation="portrait"> >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.example.androidbasic12.CLEARSCREEN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<!-- Opens test -->
<activity
android:name=".tutOne"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:screenOrientation="portrait"> >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.example.androidbasic12.TUTONE" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<!-- Opens map page -->
<activity
android:name=".map"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:screenOrientation="portrait"> >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.example.androidbasic12.MAPS" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<meta-data
android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
android:value="AIzaSyBcMOBc8WVLUIRUfs0Zgap3cnhwm4dWLag"/>
</application>
</manifest>
Anyone got any tips for this?

I've got the same problem as you, everything worked ok on emulator but on the real device it was gray surface with zoom buttons.
Then I tried other devices and it works. All other phones have original (stock) firmware, only I have one with custom firmware.
lease first check that everything works fine on emulator, then check on the device with stock firmware and let us know the result.

The problem may not be with your API key, but the authorized apps in the API console. Make sure you registered the correct key(s) and package names with the Google API console. Specifically, if you are compiling and launching directly from eclipse, you are probably signing in debug mode. If so, you need to add your debug key hash + package name to the allowed applications in the API console.

android - "your device isn't compatible with this version"

I put an app in the play store and my friend, who is running 4.1(Nexus 7), got the following message when trying to install my app : "your device isn't compatible with this version". Why this came? Please can any one help me.
Manifeast file
< ?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
< manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.ibkr.pcg"
android:versionCode="3"
android:versionName="1.1">
< uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="7"
android:targetSdkVersion="8"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"></uses-permission>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" ></uses-permission>
<!-- C2DM Permissions Start -->
<!-- Only this application can receive the messages and registration result -->
<permission android:name="com.ibkr.pcg.permission.C2D_MESSAGE" android:protectionLevel="signature" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.ibkr.pcg.permission.C2D_MESSAGE" />
<!-- This app has permission to register and receive message -->
<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE" />
<!-- End of the C2DM Permissions -->
<application android:icon="#drawable/pcgicon"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen"
android:name="MyApplication"
android:debuggable="true">
<activity android:name=".PriceCheckGuruSplash"
android:label="#string/app_name">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
<!-- Only C2DM servers can send messages for the app. If permission is not set - any other app can generate it -->
<receiver
android:name=".C2DMMessageReciever" android:permission="com.google.android.c2dm.permission.SEND" >
<!-- Receive the actual message -->
<intent-filter >
<action android:name="com.google.android.c2dm.intent.RECEIVE" >
</action>
<category android:name="com.ibkr.pcg" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
<receiver
android:name=".C2DMRegistrationReceiver"
android:permission="com.google.android.c2dm.permission.SEND" >
<intent-filter >
<action android:name="com.google.android.c2dm.intent.REGISTRATION" >
</action>
<category android:name="com.ibkr.pcg" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
<activity android:name="MessageReceivedActivty" android:screenOrientation="portrait"/>
<activity android:name="LoginScreen" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="RegistrationScreen" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="ForgotPasswordScreen" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="UserPreferences" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="TrackedItems" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="WebPage" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="CustomTabActivity" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="TabGroup1Activity" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="TabGroup2Activity" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="TabGroup3Activity" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="TabGroup4Activity" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="SearchScreen" android:screenOrientation="portrait"> </activity>
<activity android:name="SearchResultsScreen" android:screenOrientation="portrait"></activity>
<activity android:name="ProductDisplay" android:screenOrientation="portrait"></activity>
<activity android:name="VendorsDisplay" android:screenOrientation="portrait"></activity>
<activity android:name="Filter" android:screenOrientation="portrait"></activity>
<activity android:name="barcodeScanner" android:screenOrientation="portrait"></activity>
<activity android:name="ScannerPage" android:screenOrientation="portrait"></activity>
<activity android:name="Linegraphpage" android:screenOrientation="landscape"></activity>
<activity android:name="org.achartengine.GraphicalActivity" android:screenOrientation="landscape"/>
<activity android:name="org.acra.CrashReportDialog"
android:theme="#android:style/Theme.Dialog"
android:launchMode="singleInstance"
android:excludeFromRecents="true"
android:finishOnTaskLaunch="true" />
</application>
< /manifest>

//remove this android:targetSdkVersion="8"
and Nexus 7 doesn't have back camera features.
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
Note: If you are using the camera via an intent, your application does not need to request this permission.
Camera Features - Your application must also declare use of camera features, for example:
<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera" />
For a list of camera features, see the manifest Features Reference.
Adding camera features to your manifest causes Google Play to prevent your application from being installed to devices that do not include a camera or do not support the camera features you specify. For more information
If your application can use a camera or camera feature for proper operation, but does not require it, you should specify this in the manifest by including the android:required attribute, and setting it to false:
Note: you need to mention supports-screens

It's because of your 'android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE' permission- the device doesn't have a cell phone modem, you need to put android:required="false" in the permission to allow it to be installed on devices that don't support it
To control filtering, always explicitly declare hardware features in
elements, rather than relying on Google Play to
"discover" the requirements in elements. Then, if
you want to disable filtering for a particular feature, you can add a
android:required="false" attribute to the declaration.
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-permission-element.html

Like others already suggested - the camera could be an issue here. There's a good post on the android developers blog about nexus 7. Basically it only has a single front facing camera, so your app asking for the default camera requirement will fail....
basically you need to extend the request to say it's not critical, and then handle the details in your app...
<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera"
android:required="false"/>
For lots more info, follow the link
http://android-developers.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/getting-your-app-ready-for-jelly-bean.html

android:targetSdkVersion should be the highest SDK available when you are building the app, unless you have very specific reasons not to. Maybe you want to guarantee newer methods and APIs will not be called because you must work right on a specific device, even if it means sacrificing behavior on newer ones.
Most of the time, download the latest SDK and set android:targetSdkVersion to the latest version.

Just use this
<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="7" />

Use the following :
<supports-screens
android:largeScreens="true"
android:normalScreens="true"
android:smallScreens="true"
android:xlargeScreens="true" />
<uses-sdk
android:minSdkVersion="7"
android:targetSdkVersion="16" /> //or just remove the targetSdkVersion, altough it is not recommended

Always attributes defined in Manifest Filters out Your app By Google Playstore to some devices.
For example:
Declared specific Target Sdk Version.
Defined Camera permission(Will filter devices without Camera)
Uses Feature Camera.
SIM enabled device.
Device with Wifi.
So, Before releasing your app you have to keep in mind that you have to reach maximum devices for your target than you have to Opt out some of the features and Permissions and most of the time Sdk version target.
Hope this gives you idea about releasing App.