Why are some APKs incompatible?
Note: I'm not looking for reasons why some apps could theoretically be incompatible, I'm looking for some logging on why a particular app refuses to install.
Sometimes, when installing an APK using the File Browser and choosing "install", I get the generic message "Android app installation failed, Package incompatible with this version of android". But what is the real reason? Which version does it require? I get this message on apps which are said to require Android 4+ while my Xperia XA2 should support Android 8.1, making it a very unsatisfying error message.
Is there a way to get detailed info on why it is deemed incompatible?
App stores also hide incompatible apps (or versions thereof). They must be basing this on something. But on what?
Is there a way to force an app to install anyway?
For those who want a specific example: https://apkpure.com/hay-day-android/com.supercell.hayday/versions currently shows V1_47_95, V1_46_150, V1_46_149 and further down. But the highest version the APK Pure app on my phone shows me, is V1_46_149. The 2 newer versions are 'incompatible'.
I have Hay Day V1.47.95 working, installed from Amazon Appstore so it does not require Google services. Nevertheless, some apps (such as the Italian Vodafone app) refuse to install because "incompatible", this both on X and on XA2 (it worked on Jolla C).
Giacomo Di Giacomo ( 2020-07-01 12:18:12 +0200 )edit