What Does “Your Device Isn’t Compatible With This Version” Mean?

Let’s say there is an app you really would like to use. You tried downloading it, but instead, you get the message that “your device isn’t compatible with this version“.

Big bummer, right? I know. Many people have made that same complaint when they try to use the Google Play Store or third-party sites to install apps.

While it’s common with older android devices, other issues could cause the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” error even on a new device. For example, your device might have hardware and/or software issues that make the device incompatible with an app version.

Today, we’ll be talking about different things that could result in the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” error.

What Does “Your Device Isn’t Compatible With This Version” Mean?

If you get the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” error, chances are that the app you’re trying to install has an app-version-to-android-version restriction, or the app can’t be used in your country. So you’ll generally get the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” if you stay in a country where the app isn’t available or if your android version is not supported by either the developer or the app version. That your device isn’t compatible with the app does not mean it’s experiencing technical difficulties.

The Google Play Store is the most reliable place to download apps on android smartphones. Although there are other third-party sites where you can get apps, they come at a risk, not all of these sites are secure. And Google Play Store will likely give you a version of an app that’s best suited for your device, something you don’t find elsewhere.

Getting the “Your Device Isn’t Compatible With This Version” Error? Best Fixes

Clear Google Play Store Cache

The most straightforward way to resolve the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” issue is to erase the Play Store cache. The steps below will help you clear your cache:

• If the Play Store tab is still active in the background, close it
• Navigate to your phone’s Settings
• Open the Application Manager 
• Select Google Play services 
• Click Clear Cache 

Once you’ve completed these steps, you may re-launch the Play Store and search for the app you’re looking for.

Fix 2: Delete All Recent Updates

Another great fix for resolving this error is to uninstall the most recent updates.

To delete the updates,

• You must first visit Settings
• Select Apps
• Navigate through the list of installed programs and select Google Play Store
• Then select the option to Uninstall Updates

Try installing the app from Play Store.

Fix 3: Set up Market Helper

To resolve the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” issue, link your Android device to an installed ‘SuperSU’ application. Then, download and set up the ‘Market Helper tool.’

• Launch the application on your device
• Select ‘Activate’
• Grant the Application permissions
• Reopen Play Store and download the app you want

Note: if the notification states this app isn’t available in your region, try using VPN.

Read also: The Number You Have Dialed Is Unallocated – Causes, Working Fixes

Fix 4: Modify your Phone’s Model Number

If none of these steps worked for you, there is another option. While this is a little more time-consuming, it will undoubtedly resolve the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” problem.

Modify the Build.prop / Model number

Conduct a Google search for any recently released smartphone from your brand to obtain a new Model Number.

• Next, pick the Model Number that corresponds to the location in which you live and copy it
• Then go to Play Store, and download ES File Explorer
• Open the ES application and select the tools menu
• Enable Root Explorer and visibility of hidden files
• Now locate and click on the file named System under the ‘/’ page
• Find and rename the build.prop file to xbuild.prop (you need Root permission)
• Copy the xbuild.prop file and paste it in sd storage and then open it using ES Note Editor
• This is where you change the ro.product.name, model, device, and ro.built.product to the new one you copied, then save it
• Return to the xbuild.prop file in the system directory under ‘/’ and rename it build.prop. Paste the file into the SD storage.

Open the file properties and change the permissions to these:

• Read to GROUP, OWNER, AND OTHER
• Write to Owner
• Execute to No One

Save all of these modifications, and then restart your phone.

After finishing this lengthy model update process, you should be able to eliminate the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” message.

Read also: The Number You Have Dialed Is Not In Service? Causes

Fix 5: Root Your Phone

Another technique you can use when solving the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” issue is to update your phone’s OS. Unfortunately, most outdated devices don’t get that many updates, so people often just buy new ones. However, if you’re not in the market for a new Android device, consider rooting your current one.

After rooting your Android device, you can install custom ROMs and run the latest version of the Android operating system (OS).

Note: You run a risk of permanent damage when rooting your android device.

Read also: Getting the “This Number Is No Longer In Service” Error Message? Causes and Best Fixes

Fix 6: Consider the Yalp App Store

Yalp app store is similar to Play Store. You can use it whenever you get the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” notification and are unable to install apps directly from the Play Store.

With the Yalp App Store, you can download apk files from the Google Play Store and save them to your phone.

Conclusion

Any of these options should help you fix the “your device isn’t compatible with this version” issue. Before trying any of these, ensure that you’ve had as close an idea of the source of the problem as possible. If the issue persists, you just might need to seek the help of a professional phone tech.

Read also: What Does SIM Failure Mean?