Database Develop

Copy-Protected Apps in Market with 3rd Party ROMS

Is there any workaround...?

Whats the problem ?
All the apps i have ever bought / downloaded, via the market work fine.

I believe this is what he's talking about
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=107185eea74e4005&hl=en
http://androinica.com/2009/02/23/some-paid-apps-unavailable-on-unlocked-phones/
It appears that as of February, Google made it so whenever a developer selects the "Copy Protected" option when listing their application on the marketplace, that application will not appear for any rooted phone or developer phone. Basically it seems they did this because a rooted or developer phone can extract the APK file after purchasing an app, and then return it while still keeping the application.
I recently became aware of this today as I was working with a developer to determine why his application would not appear in the market. It's a shame - the majority of the root community is not out there to STEAL apps, we support our developers, I was trying to find his application on the market so I could BUY it. I really wanted to purchase the application and now I have no way to do it, simply because I wanted to use my phone to it's full extent instead of being stuck on the stock firmware.

rabeatz said:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=107185eea74e4005&hl=en
http://androinica.com/2009/02/23/some-paid-apps-unavailable-on-unlocked-phones/
It appears that as of February, Google made it so whenever a developer selects the "Copy Protected" option when listing their application on the marketplace, that application will not appear for any rooted phone or developer phone. Basically it seems they did this because a rooted or developer phone can extract the APK file after purchasing an app, and then return it while still keeping the application.
I recently became aware of this today as I was working with a developer to determine why his application would not appear in the market. It's a shame - the majority of the root community is not out there to STEAL apps, we support our developers, I was trying to find his application on the market so I could BUY it. I really wanted to purchase the application and now I have no way to do it, simply because I wanted to use my phone to it's full extent instead of being stuck on the stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any example of apps not showing up on the market for us?

Gilliland12 said:
Any example of apps not showing up on the market for us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for the application Accudial on the market. It's copy protected. I get 0 results. Thats the one Example I am aware of but it also could be related to the fact that I'm on a 2.0.1 ROM instead of the older ones, switching back to test again. It's kind of hard to determine whether or not there are apps being hidden from us, if we don't know the app exists how are we gonna know it's hidden from our results?

It's because your on a Eclair rom..just searched on the WG 10 (Donut) and got AccuDial and AccuDial Free

Yeah I'm switching back to the latest CM ROM right now. But when I was running 2.0.1/Eclair, I was trying to download an application designed for 2.0 and it did not appear in the market - the developer said the only requirement he placed on it was that the phone be 2.0 or higher, so we came to the conclusion that it was the copy protection blocking the app.
But regardless of that - what about those links in my first post? Google Employees reply in those articles openly admitting that access to copy protected apps have been blocked from rooted and dev phones. Did Google quietly "undo" this between now and then? I can't find anything that says they did.

rabeatz said:
Yeah I'm switching back to the latest CM ROM right now. But when I was running 2.0.1/Eclair, I was trying to download an application designed for 2.0 and it did not appear in the market - the developer said the only requirement he placed on it was that the phone be 2.0 or higher, so we came to the conclusion that it was the copy protection blocking the app.
But regardless of that - what about those links in my first post? Google Employees reply in those articles openly admitting that access to copy protected apps have been blocked from rooted and dev phones. Did Google quietly "undo" this between now and then? I can't find anything that says they did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can find all of those apps they mention.
Dunno.

rabeatz said:
Yeah I'm switching back to the latest CM ROM right now. But when I was running 2.0.1/Eclair, I was trying to download an application designed for 2.0 and it did not appear in the market - the developer said the only requirement he placed on it was that the phone be 2.0 or higher, so we came to the conclusion that it was the copy protection blocking the app.
But regardless of that - what about those links in my first post? Google Employees reply in those articles openly admitting that access to copy protected apps have been blocked from rooted and dev phones. Did Google quietly "undo" this between now and then? I can't find anything that says they did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They did lift the "block", I know of at least 2 protected apps that I can use, Nesoid and Mobile Defense (not protected anymore but it ised to be)

Right now, I can only find Accudial Free but not Accudial. I'm on Cyan 4.2.9.1.
Maybe that's because I'm not in the US??? Or that I don't have a Google Checkout account???
Thanks!

rabeatz said:
Yeah I'm switching back to the latest CM ROM right now. But when I was running 2.0.1/Eclair, I was trying to download an application designed for 2.0 and it did not appear in the market - the developer said the only requirement he placed on it was that the phone be 2.0 or higher, so we came to the conclusion that it was the copy protection blocking the app.
But regardless of that - what about those links in my first post? Google Employees reply in those articles openly admitting that access to copy protected apps have been blocked from rooted and dev phones. Did Google quietly "undo" this between now and then? I can't find anything that says they did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was a long time ago.

supremeteam256 said:
That was a long time ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fair labor standards act was passed in 1938. Still in effect today. Just because Google made the change 10 months ago doesn't mean it suddenly was removed.. Whenever I search on the topic all I can find is info that says that access to copy protected apps been disallowed, can't find any article that mentions them removing the block.
I'm not saying it hasn't been removed, but it's kind of hard for me to know whether or not i'm being blocked from applications, I don't know what ones are copy protected and what ones aren't, or if theyre being blocked from me, because they simply wouldn't show up and I wouldn't even know they exist.
If the block has in fact been removed, it'd be nice to see if anyone could find an article that mentions it. Everything online talks about the block being placed

rabeatz said:
The fair labor standards act was passed in 1938. Still in effect today. Just because Google made the change 10 months ago doesn't mean it suddenly was removed.. Whenever I search on the topic all I can find is info that says that access to copy protected apps been disallowed, can't find any article that mentions them removing the block.
I'm not saying it hasn't been removed, but it's kind of hard for me to know whether or not i'm being blocked from applications, I don't know what ones are copy protected and what ones aren't, or if theyre being blocked from me, because they simply wouldn't show up and I wouldn't even know they exist.
If the block has in fact been removed, it'd be nice to see if anyone could find an article that mentions it. Everything online talks about the block being placed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search Nesoid, that is a protected app. If you see the paid version then they lifted the block

Have you ran market enabler?

supremeteam256 said:
Have you ran market enabler?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's that...?
Edit: Got it... http://code.google.com/p/market-enabler/ And it works... Thanks for the tip...!
Edit 2: Market Enabler works by mimicking certain APNs, be sure to backup your current APN first and restore it after getting the apps (it can be done within Market Enabler).
Cheers.

Lookout for xoom

Sent a request to lookout requesting a tablet app got this in return thought I would share.......
The reason why you're having trouble finding Lookout in the market on the Xoom is due to the fact that the Xoom doesn't support SMS messages. We rely on SMS messages to initiate a connection to a device in the event it's lost, stolen, etc. Without the ability to receive SMS messages the missing device features would be greatly hindered, however, device based backups and malware protection would work normally.
Until we release a version that's more compatible with the Xoom you can install it using this alternate method:
The first thing you'll want to do is enable the installation of non-market applications. To do this:
Go to settings > application > and check the box next to "Unknown Sources." Go ahead and disregard the warning (by clicking OK), we can uncheck it later.
Next, back out of Settings and open up the web browser.
In the address bar delete everything that's there and type this in (minus quotes): "m.getjar.com" and hit enter.
Now click on "Android" under "Or, Choose your platform." This will bring you to another page where you will see a search box in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
Tap the search box, to insert the cursor, and type "Lookout" and tap "go". The search will produce one result, which is "Lookout"
Tap on the link "Lookout Mobile Security with Antivirus".
You will now be on another page that displays a grey "Download" box. Go ahead and tap on it.
The Xoom will show that it's beginning to download the file and you'll see the progress, of the download, in the notification bar.
Tap on the download icon (it looks like a downward facing arrow pointing at a line) and a small window will populate above with the word "lookout-production-signed-aligned.apk" Go ahead and tap on that.
A window that says "Package Installer" pops up. From here you can read the permissions that Lookout requires. Go ahead and tap "Install".
Your installation will start. Tap "Open" once the installation has finished to open Lookout.
Finish setting up Lookout as you normally would!
Thank you for using Lookout.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

Well, the SMS thing certainly makes sense. I'd still like to have it for it's antivirus abilities. I wonder if we would get the latest virus detection updates if we install it this way.
Thanks for sharing this.

worked thanks for sharing.

thanks for this.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

AV isn't needed on android devices. Just watch the permissions of the apps you install.

Droid-Xer said:
AV isn't needed on android devices. Just watch the permissions of the apps you install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://bit.ly/fIbCRq

Yes and AV caught how many of these infected apps? Probably zero since there's no database to compare viruses found to known threats on android. If these viruses ran exploits then maybe you got a warning otherwise android AV programs don't look for anything else. Guess what z4 root runs exploits as do any other root apps. I guess it's a virus too? Sorry but AV is useless on android. Lookout "found" these viruses afterwards.

Droid-Xer said:
Yes and AV caught how many of these infected apps? Probably zero since there's no database to compare viruses found to known threats on android. If these viruses ran exploits then maybe you got a warning otherwise android AV programs don't look for anything else. Guess what z4 root runs exploits as do any other root apps. I guess it's a virus too? Sorry but AV is useless on android. Lookout "found" these viruses afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True but remember that's how virus definitions grow, unfortunately.

Droid-Xer said:
Yes and AV caught how many of these infected apps? Probably zero since there's no database to compare viruses found to known threats on android. If these viruses ran exploits then maybe you got a warning otherwise android AV programs don't look for anything else. Guess what z4 root runs exploits as do any other root apps. I guess it's a virus too? Sorry but AV is useless on android. Lookout "found" these viruses afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true, but if I have an infection (unlikley because I'm cautious) when lookout updates their definitions it will find the infection at next scan. so while it may not prevent new threats, I'd rather know I'm infected after-the-fact than to just be infected and accept it as unavoidable. besides, it's free.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

I think AV will be needed eventually on android but right now all it takes to stay safe is a little precaution and common sense. Maybe on the xoom we wont see av take up too many resources since this tab is a beast, but you'll notice battery drain issues on a phone. Oh well thats just my 2¢

worked thanks

Xezuka said:
True but remember that's how virus definitions grow, unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot can be said for reverse-engineering. How do you think google/whoeverreportedthevirus found all of the Droid Dream infected apps?
On another note, I'm sick of hearing this argument that iOS is safer. A closed source OS like iOS is just as vulnerable to malware as is an open source OS like Android. The main difference is that a lot of people on Android download non-market apps. Oh, and Android market apps can be uploaded without going through an approval process.

updates???
Thanks for the side load link, worked for me. To repeat a question a few posts above, will we need to reinstall completely every time there is an update or is there to do a work around for updates?

texiandave said:
Thanks for the side load link, worked for me. To repeat a question a few posts above, will we need to reinstall completely every time there is an update or is there to do a work around for updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume you'd have to reinstall each time there are updates since it's not being pushed from the market.
I have lookout on my x10 and when I got the Xoom I too saw it wasn't available in the market. I just pulled the apk from my titanium backup that I synced with my dropbox. I had to do the same thing with adobe reader. Lookout works great on the xoom.

I've had Lookout on my XOOM through the Amazon Appstore for a while now. Don't know if that does anything for you. Seems to work just fine and mylookout.com registers my XOOM's phone number.

The first day that the Amazon store opened, I saw Lookout sitting there and I chose it. It installed without a hitch. I opted for Premium - just like for my DX and it works like a charm -all features. Chalk it up to Android Market isn't the end all and be all of how and where we get our apps. I never thought that I would say it, but 'thank God for Amazon'.

Google Account Settings issue

** UPDATE **
To be more specific, I'm not having issue with Android Device Manager, I'm having issue with the message "You don't have any devices" in Google Play Store.
I've looked it up in lots of places but seems like no one has a concrete answer.
Any further direction would be appreciated!
******
Hello,
I've installed all of the required apps to run Google Play store and have installed apps without issue. I'm having a couple of issues:
1) When I tap on Google Account Settings, it doesn't load anything, just closes the app
2) When I log in to Google Play on my browser, it says that I have no devices connected to the account, even thought I'm downloading apps just fine with that very same account in Google Play app. I'd like to remotely add and delete apps from my tablets as they are for the kids and I don't always have the tablets by my side to install / delete things.
Please help, thanks!

dymlu said:
Hello,
I've installed all of the required apps to run Google Play store and have installed apps without issue. I'm having a couple of issues:
1) When I tap on Google Account Settings, it doesn't load anything, just closes the app
2) When I log in to Google Play on my browser, it says that I have no devices connected to the account, even thought I'm downloading apps just fine with that very same account in Google Play app. I'd like to remotely add and delete apps from my tablets as they are for the kids and I don't always have the tablets by my side to install / delete things.
Please help, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes takes a few days for everything to sync up on Google's end.

Davey126 said:
Sometimes takes a few days for everything to sync up on Google's end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been like this since I got everything set up 3 weeks ago. It's never recognized that the tablet is associated to the account.

dymlu said:
It's been like this since I got everything set up 3 weeks ago. It's never recognized that the tablet is associated to the account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another poster (perhaps a few) described a similar situation along with the steps taken to remediate. If I stumble across that I will repost here. As I recall it involved deleting and readding Google account(s) on the device side (reboot between) plus a tweak or two from the web version of Android Device Manager.

Davey126 said:
Another poster (perhaps a few) described a similar situation along with the steps taken to remediate. If I stumble across that I will repost here. As I recall it involved deleting and readding Google account(s) on the device side (reboot between) plus a tweak or two from the web version of Android Device Manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be awesome, thanks a million in advance!

Davey126 said:
Another poster (perhaps a few) described a similar situation along with the steps taken to remediate. If I stumble across that I will repost here. As I recall it involved deleting and readding Google account(s) on the device side (reboot between) plus a tweak or two from the web version of Android Device Manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dymlu said:
That would be awesome, thanks a million in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem appears to be widespread with no generic solution. See (one of many similar posts):
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...android-device-manager-googles-working-on-it/
Might be something you just have to live with.

Davey126 said:
Problem appears to be widespread with no generic solution. See (one of many similar posts):
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...android-device-manager-googles-working-on-it/
Might be something you just have to live with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rats, I want to remotely install and delete apps on my kids tablets, any ideas on remote device management tools for Android tablets?

dymlu said:
Rats, I want to remotely install and delete apps on my kids tablets, any ideas on remote device management tools for Android tablets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While there are quite a few you might want to start with AirDroid. Generally well regarded albeit sometimes a bit schizophrenic. You should be able to accomplish basic app/device management with the free version. Can also look at some of the more focused tools once you decide which features are most important.

Davey126 said:
While there are quite a few you might want to start with AirDroid. Generally well regarded albeit sometimes a bit schizophrenic. You should be able to accomplish basic app/device management with the free version. Can also look at some of the more focused tools once you decide which features are most important.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking for something that I can use while I'm at work and the kids are at home?

dymlu said:
I was looking for something that I can use while I'm at work and the kids are at home?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - did you look at AirDroid? Claims to have that capability. Also note there are various workarounds (eg: create a second account) for the original issue you reported. None work 100% which is why I didn't elaborate. You are going to have to do a little research to get what you want.

Davey126 said:
Yes - did you look at AirDroid? Claims to have that capability. Also note there are various workarounds (eg: create a second account) for the original issue you reported. None work 100% which is why I didn't elaborate. You are going to have to do a little research to get what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AirDroid doesn't allow me access to install apps, just delete I'll have to keep researching, thanks for the advices.

Davey126 said:
Yes - did you look at AirDroid? Claims to have that capability. Also note there are various workarounds (eg: create a second account) for the original issue you reported. None work 100% which is why I didn't elaborate. You are going to have to do a little research to get what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be more specific, I'm not having issue with Android Device Manager, I'm having issue with the message "You don't have any devices" in Google Play Store.
I've looked it up in lots of places but haven't found anything concrete for solution. Is it because I'm using a Fire Tablet and it's not supported on Google Play?

dymlu said:
AirDroid doesn't allow me access to install apps, just delete I'll have to keep researching, thanks for the advices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dymlu said:
To be more specific, I'm not having issue with Android Device Manager, I'm having issue with the message "You don't have any devices" in Google Play Store.
I've looked it up in lots of places but haven't found anything concrete for solution. Is it because I'm using a Fire Tablet and it's not supported on Google Play?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered the last question in a previous post (below). As for remote install a tool like AirDroid can get the job done but you will need to get creative with the approach. In the end it may not be worth the effort, especially if the target devices are physically accessible albeit with a little inconvenience wrestling it away from the kid.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/help/google-account-settings-issue-t3441323/post68240076

is there any way to totally disable the network (tablet)

Ok i don't know if this the right forum but i looking to give out to a few workers phones or tablets that have no internet access at all (i only want them to use if for calls and SMS - i not going to explain why i want it that way). i'm looking for an easy way to disable the network altogether.
i've got a GT-S6310 SAMSUNG or fire tablet. i tried an idea that i got into the platform.xml file (with the RomToolBox app) that is located in the etc/permission folder and erased the internet line>save and then restart and it worked. but there many problems like apps that crashed without even opening theme like google services.
i'm looking to just erase or change one file in the system to get to my goal. i'm sure that there are very specific files that are critical for the internet to work and if they are disabled or changed the internet access would go down. please help

satter123456 said:
Ok i don't know if this the right forum but i looking to give out to a few workers phones or tablets that have no internet access at all (i only want them to use if for calls and SMS - i not going to explain why i want it that way). i'm looking for an easy way to disable the network altogether.
i've got a GT-S6310 SAMSUNG or fire tablet. i tried an idea that i got into the platform.xml file (with the RomToolBox app) that is located in the etc/permission folder and erased the internet line>save and then restart and it worked. but there many problems like apps that crashed without even opening theme like google services.
i'm looking to just erase or change one file in the system to get to my goal. i'm sure that there are very specific files that are critical for the internet to work and if they are disabled or changed the internet access would go down. please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This device (5th gen Fire) has no mobile radio so is off the table for your requirements. If you plan to leverage WiFi calling/SMS then that uses data, aka "the internet". Crafty individuals will easily circumvent any blocks applied at the ROM level unless device is rooted and you use secondary accounts. A bit harder to work around but still fairly easy to penetrate.

Davey126 said:
This device (5th gen Fire) has no mobile radio so is off the table for your requirements. If you plan to leverage WiFi calling/SMS then that uses data, aka "the internet". Crafty individuals will easily circumvent any blocks applied at the ROM level unless device is rooted and you use secondary accounts. A bit harder to work around but still fairly easy to penetrate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooted decive! So what can i do? What system file can i erase to stop any internet connection? Or maybe something that has to do with the buildprop file

satter123456 said:
Rooted decive! So what can i do? What system file can i erase to stop any internet connection? Or maybe something that has to do with the buildprop file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look into selectively blocking internet access via third party firewall, hosts file or VPN. Likely need to create secondary/child accounts to limit access to the filtering tools. You'll need to do some searching/testing to find a solution that meets your requirements. Probably not the right device for what you are trying to accomplish.

Something on my phone wants to talk to Facebook

I have the Amazon version of the G7 Plus. On my home network, I am running Pi-Hole as a DNS server. When reviewing the logs on Pi-Hole, the most active device on the network is my phone. Among the requests it send out, it is trying to send requests to 'web.facebook.com', 'graph.facebook.com' and connect.facebook.net'
I have never had Facebook installed on this phone. I don't use a web browser to access it either. I have closed all my apps and disable background data on all installed apps. It is still trying to talk to Facebook.
Is there a way I can identify what app is making these requests? In a 24-hour period, it has made nearly 500 requests. That boil down to a request every 3 min 30 seconds. If I can identify the app, I can decide if it's worth keeping.

mrschwarz said:
I have the Amazon version of the G7 Plus. On my home network, I am running Pi-Hole as a DNS server. When reviewing the logs on Pi-Hole, the most active device on the network is my phone. Among the requests it send out, it is trying to send requests to 'web.facebook.com', 'graph.facebook.com' and connect.facebook.net'
I have never had Facebook installed on this phone. I don't use a web browser to access it either. I have closed all my apps and disable background data on all installed apps. It is still trying to talk to Facebook.
Is there a way I can identify what app is making these requests? In a 24-hour period, it has made nearly 500 requests. That boil down to a request every 3 min 30 seconds. If I can identify the app, I can decide if it's worth keeping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a factory facebook installer app trying to do its job...so its got all your radios looking for a download its not getting or the illuminati planning a dark plot against society.... Moto is probably the last phone to still have that and probably the first...lol... if you are rooted with magisk I would install the terminal debloater mod and follow the directions...super easy and is something I wish I had back in the day....i just reflashed stock on mine and flashed back twrp and magisk...ill put the specific apk info shortly

My phone is pure stock. Not rooted. I thought we vanquished the Illuminati. Sneaky bast*rds.

[/COLOR]
KtownJeff said:
3 apps that facebook uses to mess with life /system/app/facebook -appmanager
/system/priv-app/facebook-installer
/system/priv-app/facebook-services
If you are stock it can be defeated by using adb pull commands .... I can walk through it if you havent done it before but this thread will cover it all just follow step by step and I believe after OTA you will have to do it again.. nope new info i just obtained states that u wont have to do it again and you can debloat the Amazon stuff too
https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good:

So...I followed the instructions for adb. Since this was an unlocked phone that I bought from Amazon and since I am using a prepaid MVNO, I wasn't sure what to put in the 'OEM' or 'Carrier' variables. I downloaded and installed the App Inspector app. I scrolled through every entry on the list and could not find any that had anything resembling Facebook in it.
Anything else I can try? Thanks for all your help.

mrschwarz said:
So...I followed the instructions for adb. Since this was an unlocked phone that I bought from Amazon and since I am using a prepaid MVNO, I wasn't sure what to put in the 'OEM' or 'Carrier' variables. I downloaded and installed the App Inspector app. I scrolled through every entry on the list and could not find any that had anything resembling Facebook in it.
Anything else I can try? Thanks for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a little more research and found out that its other apps reporting to facebook.... they share data and facebook plugs it into an ad algorithm....hmmmm.... read these articles https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/29/fac...-you-from-other-web-sites-how-to-stop-it.html
https://gist.github.com/imcodingideas/f07be3889411b323e5f8051899b9d9cc

KtownJeff said:
I did a little more research and found out that its other apps reporting to facebook.... they share data and facebook plugs it into an ad algorithm....hmmmm.... read these articles https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/29/fac...-you-from-other-web-sites-how-to-stop-it.html
https://gist.github.com/imcodingideas/f07be3889411b323e5f8051899b9d9cc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since years this service is a part of almost every app for Android.

WoKoschekk said:
Since years this service is a part of almost every app for Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got the memo...lol....Ive only been at it two years so Im still learning all the time