Database Users

Market issues: comments on apps "country-filtered"?

Sorry to disturb you guys, but I just wanted to know, if some of you has also discovered the following:
Yesterday (or so) I was browsing the market for new apps. As usually I read the comments. But somehow I realized that most of the applications had either very few or no comments at all. Now I see that the comments are filtered to the country, so if I'm from Germany (I am) I only see comments written by german users - which was never before like this (all comments from all countries).
How is it that for you? France, Netherlands, ...?
I don't like it! First there were the download issues with the Haykuro G builds, now (on JF 1.43 - RC9) the market apps comments are viewable "by your country only"? What is going on? Is there any place where Google announces changes or plans?

The market needs a filter controlled by user with settings like
-language
-words (filter out workds like "theme" "comic" "book" etc.)
-rating
-date
-size (maybe)
Etc.

[Q] How to promote a security app

Hello!
I have a few questions about Google Play Store, since it is my first application published and I am kind of a newbie so ^^
Just yesterday I published the first version of a Security app, named Wifi Security Checker (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.og.wifisecuritychecker).
Basically, it prevents network attacks by checking a few network mechanism (for the moment, 3 checks are made, 3 more will arrive soon).
So, here are my questions:
- How to promote an app efficiently (known blogs, forums etc...?)?
- How my app can get up in the Play Store listing (for now, even by taping exactly the application name, I have to go down a bit to find it)?
- I did not see any "tickets" for paid app, in order for developers to distribute their app to testers (like the iOs function). The only solution seems to send the apk to testers, and accept the licence email address in the console developer. Is that right?
Thank you in advance for your answers!
Do not hesitate to comment on the app itself, if you want to test it or else.
Best regards,
Olivier

Hi,
To start promoting your app I recommend Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. Start first with your friends.
Regarding your second questions, be sure to have the correct keywords on your description and app title
Later

Hello,
Thank you for your answer!
Unfortunately, it is a security related app, which means that people who does not have a few knowledge in computer science will not get it (at least a very few). Is not it better to promote it on more specialized boards? (If yes, do you know a few of them?)
By the way, the network discovery functionnality is coming soon (less than a week I would say). After that, there will be a traceroute functionnality and a port discovery functionnality.
Do not hesitate to comment the idea itself and the technical mechanism too!
Best regards,
Olivier

[Q] My App doesn't Show on Google Play Search Results

Hello,
I've just published my new APP 1 day ago ( about 27 hours ago ), when I search for it by it's name it doesn't appear in search results at all,
BUT, when I search for it by the developper name, it shows up!
I think this has nothing to do with the android developper console, as I wrote a 1200 word description with the app name reapeated 5 times, I Added high quality images, I chose to target all countries, my app is targeting more than 6000 devices, the status of APP is PUBLISHED, as I can reach it by typing the developper name
So where's the issue come from? and what can I do to resolve this? I just want it to appear when I search for it by its exact name
PS : another app wich have the same name has 100,000 downloads, but at least I should appear on other spotsof search results, I don't know if this affect the visibility or not, but however, please help my guys

Common problem, it happens often. Dont know about the solution except get a better ASO next time.

Should I remove this app, and reupload it again with diffrent name? or should I just change it's current name? ( but this may affect admob or anything else)
or it's better to sit and wait for it to be ranked?

same problem
same problem here, please help us if you know how to solve this.
Thanks

LoneDeveloper said:
same problem here, please help us if you know how to solve this.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I met the same issue when I first launched my app. What I have done is as follows
1. Use full package name to search. i.e. xxx.company.appname. If you find it, just give some time to wait
2. Fine-tuned some wordings in title and descriptions.

Even when i type my game title which is unique, no game have that title, but my game is shown up at the bottom of search page:crying:

It takes time for your app to rank up. Also another really important factor is the reviews. If you have many 5 stars you will rank well. My app took some weeks to rank #7, but the name of my app was sooooo common. There are like 200 apps with that name.

Yes you need some good reviews and ofcourse there is the time factor

I think you should promote your app... Mean you should do social networking, write blogs and press release and submit it onto the press release site
And then join the group in your social media sites and share your app there and see the revenue you get
But you should have good graphics screenshots and description

Just type link - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=[YOUR PACKAGE NAME HERE] and it will open your app if it is on google market!

Just relax & wait. App doesn't show up in search result suddenly. You will have to wait for atleast a week or so for your app to appear in search results.
It works the same way in which Google website ranking works.
All you can do is -
1. Get more downloads on your apps
2. Get better ratings
3. Wait
Good Luck with your app!
Sent from my XT1022

Peatrex said:
Hello,
I've just published my new APP 1 day ago ( about 27 hours ago ), when I search for it by it's name it doesn't appear in search results at all,
BUT, when I search for it by the developper name, it shows up!
I think this has nothing to do with the android developper console, as I wrote a 1200 word description with the app name reapeated 5 times, I Added high quality images, I chose to target all countries, my app is targeting more than 6000 devices, the status of APP is PUBLISHED, as I can reach it by typing the developper name
So where's the issue come from? and what can I do to resolve this? I just want it to appear when I search for it by its exact name
PS : another app wich have the same name has 100,000 downloads, but at least I should appear on other spotsof search results, I don't know if this affect the visibility or not, but however, please help my guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm facing the same problem. It's been about 4-5 days since I published. How did you solve the problem? Is your app showing up now?

I just want to add link to my game review, so i do this useless post

I had a similar problem and 2-3 days after posted the game, and since then, if i search with the exact name of the app it appears first. If your problem persists and the name of the app is unique, use "Contact Google Play developer support"

Android 5.1.x care package for Cuba

Greetings fine folks of the S3 Mini forum!
I first broached this idea in the OmniROM 5.1.1 thread - I just got back from Cuba having met some folks out there who are pretty keen to get their hands on the latest Android goodness, but are completely unable to as:
there is essentially no residential internet in Cuba
there is no cellular internet
the WiFi you can find in tourist hotels/town telecoms offices cuts in and out preventing downloads of any size
Many Google services don't work due to the embargo
Currently apks are shared phone-to-phone using Zapya over Bluetooth and WiFi hotspotting. To give these guys something to play with, I am planning on sending an SD card over - an Android 'care package' - including:
Everything needed to flash custom ROMs (USB drivers, ODIN, minimal fastboot/adb)
A couple of custom ROMs (CM12.1 and OmniROM?)
Comprehensive flashing instructions (using Odin and not) for the S3 Mini (translated into Spanish ideally)
GApps (5.1.x) - 'Mini' if the phone can take it
Useful .apks/binaries e.g. Camera, Cardboard (I took one over, it was a big hit!), SuperSU...
Anything else useful to get them started playing with Lollipop
I'm currently working in a Google Doc collecting where these things can be downloaded and starting to find flashing instructions - which is where you guys come in. Although I found the S3 Mini to be relatively popular in Cuba, I don't own one so I can't test this stuff myself. If anyone would like to contribute to this project, I'd really appreciate it. It won't require too much work - but some sanity checking would be appreciated. You can find the Google Doc here. If you do make any changes, please use 'Suggesting' mode or coloured text
If you have any suggestions for things I should be including other than what's above and in the document, please add it or let me know. I'll update this thread once I've got some instructions done to be checked.
Thanks!

Regarding the flashing instructions, I don't know if this can help you, though it's in English.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3102258
Sent from my GT-I8190 using XDA Free mobile app

Since the the guide mentioned above is mine, i would like to know if it is the final choice.

Why not set up a mesh network? If you could get enough devices running it, You could in concept make your own internet.
I'm not from Cuba, (live in south Florida) but I can probably help out.

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017) - How can I add new language packs for Google apps?

Hi,
I posted same message in Q&A but I didn't received any answer until now.....thinking that maybe that thread is not so much read, I kindly ask you to allow me to post the question again, as a new thread, and apologize me for double posting.
"I have bought an Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017 edition) in order to have a tablet with a bigger screen (it was best option price/quality related).
I don't like Amazon OS, so I have used Toolbox 6.1 to make more Android friendly and it works fine (apps/widgets etc).
The only draw back is that Google is stuck on English language (or any other languages provided by Amazon according selection in My account).
For this reason, all my google apps are in english language (but this is not an issue) and all my google news from news feed are displayed in English and are from US (or any other Amazon language/country selected in Amazon account) -> this is my real issue.
Therefore my question is:
Is there any option to install other Google language packs on Amazon Fire HD 10 (I need Romanian), so that all displayed news are from my country and in my language?
What I have tried:
- I selected in Google apps Romanian language and Country: Romania -> no luck...everything is displayed in english and from US.
- I tried to install new language packs from Google Play using Languages - Change Language & Language Settings -> I have tried both automatic and manual options (adb related); on automatic it shows that the installation is successful, but it isn't, while on manual it give error as it is not successful.
Many thanks in advance "

Boo-Hoo said:
Hi,
I posted same message in Q&A but I didn't received any answer until now.....thinking that maybe that thread is not so much read, I kindly ask you to allow me to post the question again, as a new thread, and apologize me for double posting.
"I have bought an Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017 edition) in order to have a tablet with a bigger screen (it was best option price/quality related).
I don't like Amazon OS, so I have used Toolbox 6.1 to make more Android friendly and it works fine (apps/widgets etc).
The only draw back is that Google is stuck on English language (or any other languages provided by Amazon according selection in My account).
For this reason, all my google apps are in english language (but this is not an issue) and all my google news from news feed are displayed in English and are from US (or any other Amazon language/country selected in Amazon account) -> this is my real issue.
Therefore my question is:
Is there any option to install other Google language packs on Amazon Fire HD 10 (I need Romanian), so that all displayed news are from my country and in my language?
What I have tried:
- I selected in Google apps Romanian language and Country: Romania -> no luck...everything is displayed in english and from US.
- I tried to install new language packs from Google Play using Languages - Change Language & Language Settings -> I have tried both automatic and manual options (adb related); on automatic it shows that the installation is successful, but it isn't, while on manual it give error as it is not successful.
Many thanks in advance "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply stop using Google News.
I am German, live in eastern Europe and speak English. In Google News I only get news about Indonesia and Malaysia
It's one of the worst apps by Google I have ever used. Just install a local news app and be happy

It is not about Google News.. It is about the fact that Google considers the language and country of Amazon account when displaying the news....if there is any way to break the link between Google app and Amazon account and to make it only Google related, then it should work.
But idk if it is possible.

Boo-Hoo said:
Hi,
I posted same message in Q&A but I didn't received any answer until now.....thinking that maybe that thread is not so much read, I kindly ask you to allow me to post the question again, as a new thread, and apologize me for double posting.
"I have bought an Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017 edition) in order to have a tablet with a bigger screen (it was best option price/quality related).
I don't like Amazon OS, so I have used Toolbox 6.1 to make more Android friendly and it works fine (apps/widgets etc).
The only draw back is that Google is stuck on English language (or any other languages provided by Amazon according selection in My account).
For this reason, all my google apps are in english language (but this is not an issue) and all my google news from news feed are displayed in English and are from US (or any other Amazon language/country selected in Amazon account) -> this is my real issue.
Therefore my question is:
Is there any option to install other Google language packs on Amazon Fire HD 10 (I need Romanian), so that all displayed news are from my country and in my language?
What I have tried:
- I selected in Google apps Romanian language and Country: Romania -> no luck...everything is displayed in english and from US.
- I tried to install new language packs from Google Play using Languages - Change Language & Language Settings -> I have tried both automatic and manual options (adb related); on automatic it shows that the installation is successful, but it isn't, while on manual it give error as it is not successful.
Many thanks in advance "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to use Activity Launcher from Google Play store, open Activity Launcher, scroll down to Settings, and find LocalePickerActivity.

AmznUser444 Dev said:
You need to use Activity Launcher from Google Play store, open Activity Launcher, scroll down to Settings, and find LocalePickerActivity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot. :victory::victory::victory:
This is exactly what I was searching for.
Now google apps are shown in my language. As for the news.....now they are from my country.

AmznUser444 Dev said:
You need to use Activity Launcher from Google Play store, open Activity Launcher, scroll down to Settings, and find LocalePickerActivity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your solution works only temporary...meaning that if you restart the tablet, it is stuck on Fire boot screen...only solution to open it again it is to wipe and revert to factory settings on recovery mode (
If you have a solution to this...please let me know
Thanks

A lot of the heavy handed de-bloating suggestions (including Fire Toolbox which I have tested & no longer use) break two things - location services, and the ability to switch the tablet's operating language. My solution was to go a little easy on the de-bloating, so that I could switch the tablet language in settings, just like any real Android device. If you freeze or delete com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe, then you will never be able to change the tablet language. Unfortunately, not freezing it leaves the Fire Setup and Goodreads in the app drawer, so I use the paid version of Nova Prime to hide those items using it's ability to hide apps in the app drawer without having to freeze or delete them. In the "Prime" (paid) version, go to: Nova settings – App Drawer – Hide Apps (it’s near the bottom of the list). Tap to turn on the check box beside “Connect to Goodreads” & “Device Setup”. I also do not freeze, but hide Amazon Photos so I can have my own choice for lock screen image and wallpapers.
This does what I think you are talking about very nicely here in South America for the Spanish language. Once the Fire tablet is switched to Spanish (& geolocation is working) all the Google apps follow along nicely & give local results. My apologies if this is not what you are asking.
If you would like to see what I do and don't disable, I have attached well commented the batch script I run to set up Fire HD 10 tablets so they look & run like stock Android. Notepad++ shows comments (REM) in green, so use that to make it easier to read. The batch file is designed to be run from ADB on a Windows computer against a FRESH Fire HD 10 that is bootloader unlocked, rooted, and using LegitSU's FireOS 5.6.4.0
Unlock & Root: https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/orig-development/unlock-fire-hd-10-2017-suez-t3913639
LegitSU's modified FireOS: https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/development/rom-t3929969

haiti525 said:
A lot of the heavy handed de-bloating suggestions (including Fire Toolbox which I have tested & no longer use) break two things - location services, and the ability to switch the tablet's operating language. My solution was to go a little easy on the de-bloating, so that I could switch the tablet language in settings, just like any real Android device. If you freeze or delete com.amazon.kindle.otter.oobe, then you will never be able to change the tablet language. Unfortunately, not freezing it leaves the Fire Setup and Goodreads in the app drawer, so I use the paid version of Nova Prime to hide those items using it's ability to hide apps in the app drawer without having to freeze or delete them. In the "Prime" (paid) version, go to: Nova settings – App Drawer – Hide Apps (it’s near the bottom of the list). Tap to turn on the check box beside “Connect to Goodreads” & “Device Setup”. I also do not freeze, but hide Amazon Photos so I can have my own choice for lock screen image and wallpapers.
This does what I think you are talking about very nicely here in South America for the Spanish language. Once the Fire tablet is switched to Spanish (& geolocation is working) all the Google apps follow along nicely & give local results. My apologies if this is not what you are asking.
If you would like to see what I do and don't disable, I have attached well commented the batch script I run to set up Fire HD 10 tablets so they look & run like stock Android. Notepad++ shows comments (REM) in green, so use that to make it easier to read. The batch file is designed to be run from ADB on a Windows computer against a FRESH Fire HD 10 that is bootloader unlocked, rooted, and using LegitSU's FireOS 5.6.4.0
Unlock & Root: https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/orig-development/unlock-fire-hd-10-2017-suez-t3913639
LegitSU's modified FireOS: https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/development/rom-t3929969
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
I didn't tried your solution yet...Atm I'm looking for simplier solutions (if any)....Don't wanna mess my tablet with rooting procedure

Boo-Hoo said:
Thank you.
I didn't tried your solution yet...Atm I'm looking for simplier solutions (if any)....Don't wanna mess my tablet with rooting procedure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not trying to change your mind, but I did want to say that before k4y0z created his excellent bootloader unlocking solution in March 2019, I did try a lot of other stuff (I had the tab for about a year before that), and I was never satisfied with the tablet, mainly because something was always broken / breaking (in a software sense). But since I did this mod, I consider it the best $100 I've ever spent on a technology device. I wish you the best of luck in your search for your best solution, obviously we all have different needs & desires, and it was not my intention to suggest that my way is the best or only way.

My Fire HD 10 2017 is mostly not used for above mentioned reason.
It is a long time since my post.
Anyone found out a way to install additional language packs ?
Thank You in advance

Boo-Hoo said:
My Fire HD 10 2017 is mostly not used for above mentioned reason.
It is a long time since my post.
Anyone found out a way to install additional language packs ?
Thank You in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently let my mother in law use a Fire Tablet whilst visiting us, and to my surprise, it seems that Amazon doesn't cater for languages in countries they do not have a foothold, thus Romania is not on their list, neither are most of the other Eastern European countries, which suck. If anyone have found a way in doing so, please let us know, would be interesting to find out how. Some of the apps installed can have language selected, such as the google keyboard, facebook, opera etc, but some don't.