Database Users

[Q] Is there a way to lock out the kids from buying apps or renting videos

I want to let family and friends use my Fire but do not want them buying anything, is there an app lock that will work with the fire. Thanks.

Not that I'm aware of. I would guess you would have to log into the amazon account tied to the Kindle and disable/remove all forms of payment.
I know my wife hadn't set up her new credcard, all the old ones were in so she couldn't even download "free" apps since you still need to buy them.
On that note, I hate email spam everytime I "buy" free stuff.

so far the only thing i have found is to have my "one click" goto a empty prepaid card... then if someone tries to buy something it goes to my email saying that it failed and then i can (if its something i want) click in the email... sign in though my phone and change the payment to another card i have saved in amazon.
if you want to block total access including free apps i use the "app protector" and there is a free version in the amazon market for 7 day trial.

The best option that I see is to what was mentioned using a prepaid credit card. I use that with a lot of things of this nature. That way these companies get what they want (my credit card), and I am at a basic no risk situation because there is no money on it for them to take. A good example was when DirecTV said I didn't return a box on time and they tried to take hundreds of dollars out of my account without notice.
That being said I know Amazon wants us to buy buy buy, but the kindle is a great option for kids. No parent wants their child to one click access to their credit card.

This is the only thing I've found. You can pick & choose what they have access to. I wish you could disable one-click on certain devices!!
http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Place-Wi...1?ie=UTF8&s=mobile-apps&qid=1322925966&sr=1-1

Question: Amazon acct and kindle

Here is one for you: I bought a Kindle Fire for my Dad for Christmas. I want to install apps he will want before I give it to him (xfinity tv app). Is ther a way to use my amazon account on the kindle to install the apps then set it to his account after I give it to him? (I have to root to install android apk stuff, but need es-file explorer from amazon app store first...kind of a quandry).
I do not want to register it for him with his name, using his email address...that would give away the secret when he gets a confirmation email.

BBAHunter said:
Here is one for you: I bought a Kindle Fire for my Dad for Christmas. I want to install apps he will want before I give it to him (xfinity tv app). Is ther a way to use my amazon account on the kindle to install the apps then set it to his account after I give it to him? (I have to root to install android apk stuff, but need es-file explorer from amazon app store first...kind of a quandry).
I do not want to register it for him with his name, using his email address...that would give away the secret when he gets a confirmation email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can register it to your acct and do what you need to do then de-register it and give it to him.

Thanks for the reply, I guess that's what I'll do.

When you deregister, all content via the amazon market is removed.
Anything you purchase using YOUR account will not be available to him in His account.
I would simply wait until he gets his unit setup in his name and assist him. You can sideload the ES file manager, or use another one.

This is the quandry I'm in with the Fire I got my mom for Christmas. I'm thinking I want to be as hands off as possible though so she can get a feel for her new computer. I'm thinking I might help her favorite the gmail mobile web version, but then let her play with it. I did get her an Amazon gift card to go with it, so she can buy some apps, or books to have on it.

I found the way around registering my amazon acct, open the built in documents app, it lets you browse to the apk files, when you click them, it installs. I first did this to install root explorer, then it's all from root explorer sideloading.

Setup Google Play outside USA

So in a week or so my tablet will arrive in The Netherlands and I want to make sure I will receive my $25 credit and the free content. So I already have my Google Wallet linked to my credit card and my billing & shipping address are set to USA by default.
Do you think I will still need to connect to VPN first to a server in USA before signing in to my Google account?

Edit: Nevermind, I found the guide for getting the $25!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1792592

Zoide_ said:
Edit: Nevermind, I found the guide for getting the $25!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1792592
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case it helps, I know someone in the UK got the free credit without having to take all those steps, just by ensuring registration, doing a test purchase eg of a free ebook to make sure their credit card details were recognised (apparently the system is very fussy if the details registered are even slightly different from what's on the credit card), and making sure they did all that BEFORE putting their Google Account details in the new Nexus 7.

Improbulus said:
In case it helps, I know someone in the UK got the free credit without having to take all those steps, just by ensuring registration, doing a test purchase eg of a free ebook to make sure their credit card details were recognised (apparently the system is very fussy if the details registered are even slightly different from what's on the credit card), and making sure they did all that BEFORE putting their Google Account details in the new Nexus 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strange. I've used the same credit card for months, purchasing several apps and games. Still, I didn't get the $25 credit. I'm going to try the VPN method.

$25 Google Play balance grayed out (RBC error)? Contact Google!

There are dozens of threads about this issue, but no-one knows how to solve it. It's time to badger Google about it. Here's how:
Click this link:
http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/request.py?&policy=apps&contact_type=contact_policy
Select "Payment, purchasing or pricing", then "Other" (do not select "My payment method is grayed out" as it takes you nowhere).
Type your name, then your Google order number if you know what it is. I don't, so I just typed "NA".
Under Issue description I typed the following:
"I can't use my Google Play balance ($25.00) for any order. This option is grayed out and the following error is displayed: "This payment method cannot be used for this purchase. (RBC)". Please advise.
Thanks,
[my name]"

Where did you activate your Nexus 7 and which country do you use it in? It's only possible to use the 25USD in the USA as far as I know. This is how I bypassed it in the UK (Wanted to buy TV shows, Music etc).
1. Download and install Hotspot Shield.
2. Download and install Connectify.
Doing this will;
1. Make your connection think it's a USA connection via a proxy
2. Allow you to forward the USA connection to your Nexus 7 using a personal WIFI Hotspot.
Now my Nexus 7 thinks it is in the USA and this allows me to use Play Music, Play Magazines, Play Movies AND TV (This includes buying it).
Please NOTE this is my second Nexus 7. The first one I used on my primary email and received the £15 then I tried this with my second. I used a new gmail address and to my surprise it works flawlessly. That is untill I run out of Credit. I've now added both emails to my Nexus(es?) and can access all the Apps and Games from my UK account and everything else from my US account. My only gripe is all the prices are in USD and have to buy apps and games on my other device to stop it from realising I'm not in the USA.

I'm getting this error

TheChaoticLlama said:
Where did you activate your Nexus 7 and which country do you use it in? It's only possible to use the 25USD in the USA as far as I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the best of my knowledge I used a US-based VPN throughout the process. Maybe I missed something.
Bamboo_flute said:
I'm getting this error
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Click to collapse
Then please report it to Google. The more support tickets they get about this issue, the less likely they are to ignore it.

Google's reply but helpless
I get the replay from Google for same subject but it is not helpful at all. Can anyone work out ?
The contents of Google reply as below:
I appreciate you writing in with your question. I understand you are trying to use your $25 credit, but the option is grayed out. I know how frustrating this can be, especially when you would like to use it. Below I have provided the info needed to help you with this issue. And some explanation on the credit itself.
Your Google Play $25 credit is our gift to you when you have, or add, a valid form of payment to your Google Wallet account.
Your Google Play credit is ready to use right away. Just open the Google Play Store app on your Nexus 7 or visit play.google.com and start shopping, and remember to select “Google Play balance” when you’re checking out. If you have credit remaining, you can use it on your next Google Play purchase.
Your Google Play credit can only be used on Google Play. You can shop on the web at play.google.com or on the Google Play Store app on your phone.
*Note that the $25 credit may not be used to buy a subscription or in the Devices section of play.google.com toward the purchase of a Nexus device or on any device accessories.
Google Play credit can not be combined with other payment methods and is not redeemable for cash. For full terms and conditions, please visit: http://play.google.com/intl/en_us/about/offer-terms.html
If I can assist you further or if you have any concerns, please let me know.
Regards,
Coty
The Google Play Support Team
oren_b said:
There are dozens of threads about this issue, but no-one knows how to solve it. It's time to badger Google about it. Here's how:
Click this link:
http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/request.py?&policy=apps&contact_type=contact_policy
Select "Payment, purchasing or pricing", then "Other" (do not select "My payment method is grayed out" as it takes you nowhere).
Type your name, then your Google order number if you know what it is. I don't, so I just typed "NA".
Under Issue description I typed the following:
"I can't use my Google Play balance ($25.00) for any order. This option is grayed out and the following error is displayed: "This payment method cannot be used for this purchase. (RBC)". Please advise.
Thanks,
[my name]"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I think they're deliberately being useless. It's more cost-effective for Google to keep the $25 (multiplied by the number of users) than to actually provide this sum to customers.

I have written to Google and have received 4 replies from the CS person who kept copy pasting information from the FAQs. None of their copy-pasted information had anything to do with what I was telling them. >_> I'm so frustrated... Not so much that I can't access the remaining balance I have but rather that I can't change my home address...

Change store location

Hi,
I have tried every method I could find (use a VPN, clear the playstore's data & cache, provide a UK address+credit card) but nothing worked. So is there a way to really change the country of the store regardless of where I am or is it locked to the country I am in.
Thanks for any help !

Van_Tastic said:
Hi,
I have tried every method I could find (use a VPN, clear the playstore's data & cache, provide a UK address+credit card) but nothing worked. So is there a way to really change the country of the store regardless of where I am or is it locked to the country I am in.
Thanks for any help !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a look here it may help you Play Store

ag4751 said:
Have a look here it may help you Play Store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link but I don't have another android device, everyone in my family is hooked on iPhones (as I was) :/

Van_Tastic said:
Thanks for the link but I don't have another android device, everyone in my family is hooked on iPhones (as I was) :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to have a payment method registered with a billing address located in that country in order to access that country's Play Store.
You could try this if you have not already done it search update google wallet it should be the top 1 or 2 returned results
1) Sign into your Google Wallet account and click payment methods
2) Add the new card and the UK billing address, change your default payment card to the new one save the changes and log out.
3) Open the Play Store App and go to any app that requires you to buy it
4) Install to begin download until you reach the "Accept and buy" screen but don’t complete the purchase at this point
5) Close the Play Store App and go to Settings > Applications > Application Manager and clear the data for the Google Play Store App
6) Re-open the Play Store,
You should now be in the Play Store that matches your default payment credit card country

ag4751 said:
You need to have a payment method registered with a billing address located in that country in order to access that country's Play Store.
You could try this if you have not already done it search update google wallet it should be the top 1 or 2 returned results
1) Sign into your Google Wallet account and click payment methods
2) Add the new card and the UK billing address, change your default payment card to the new one save the changes and log out.
3) Open the Play Store App and go to any app that requires you to buy it
4) Install to begin download until you reach the "Accept and buy" screen but don’t complete the purchase at this point
5) Close the Play Store App and go to Settings > Applications > Application Manager and clear the data for the Google Play Store App
6) Re-open the Play Store,
You should now be in the Play Store that matches your default payment credit card country
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Followed the steps but unfortunately this method didn't work either. I even went ahead and bought an app to see if that would change anything and even though the price of that app was sanctioned in £ the rest of the store and its content was still locked to the country I'm in (Morocco).
I think either google/samsung changed the way they locate the phone or the rom I'm using (XtreStoLite) changes something related to the store.