Many Android users from all over the world often face the error message, “Your device isn’t compatible with this version”.
This error message can be quite irritating for the users as all the Android users are compelled to download, install and run their applications from Google Play Store.
Which provides safe and easy download and third-party sources are not recommended by Google.
These third-party sources may risk the privacy of your Android-powered devices and can cause security issues.
This could be occurring for various reasons and there are several fixes for this error as well. These reasons can be different and will need different measures.
Some of these measures might be possible to do immediately while others will require a long term wait or might not be possible at all (in case of geographical restrictions.
As one cannot shift to a different location just because of a mobile application to run on their device).
This article will help you identify the possible causes which might be triggering the error “Your device isn’t compatible with this version”.
What are the possible solutions and fixes that might help you get rid of this error message.
Table of Contents
Possible Causes:
The error message, “Your device isn’t compatible with this version”, can be easily fixed but before that, you need to understand what is causing Google Play Store to display this message to you while attempting to download a certain application.
The following could be the possible reasons for why you are receiving the above-mentioned error message:
Older Android Version: Most of the Android applications require Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or above to run on the Android devices.
So, if your device has Android version less than 4.1 Jelly Bean, then you may be getting the error, “Your device isn’t compatible with this version”.
If the Android application requires a higher Android version to download and install.
Geographical Restrictions: The Android application you desire to download may not be available in your country.
This could also lead to why your device is incompatible for the application. Sometimes you may see the message,
“the app is not available in your country” but most often you will see “Your device isn’t compatible with this version” instead.
Unsupported Hardware: The chipset your device holds may not be a popular one and might be becoming an obstacle in downloading an Android application.
Application developers optimize their applications for different chipsets and yours might not be one of them.
This is the fault of your device manufacturers as they opted for a not so popular chipset for your device model.
Possible Solutions:
The above-mentioned problems are not the things you can fix immediately except for the first one.
But if the above-mentioned causes are not helping with your problem, then fixing this error should be easy for you.
If the error is being displayed due to some software issue, it should be easy enough to solve.
But the hardware issue on your Android device might not be so easy to solve.
Following are the solutions which may help in solving this error:
Updating the Android Version: Updating the Android Version on your device (if it is available) can solve many problems including the “Your device isn’t compatible with this version” error.
If you have an outdated Android Version on your device, then many applications, which are developed for newer Android versions, will refuse to download to your device.
Getting a New Phone: If it has been more than 4 years since you haven’t upgraded your phone, then you might start thinking of getting a new phone.
Applications are optimized for new Android versions and chipsets and your old device may not be compatible with modern applications anymore. It is time to change your phone.
An alternative to the Android Application: If the Android application you were about to download is not available in your country then you have no other option but choose an alternative for that application.
This will save you to download issues and might provide better community services as well due to being available in your country.
Clear cache of Google Play Services: Try clearing the cache from Google Play Services on your Android device. (Step-by-Step Guide is given below).
Uninstall Updates of Google Play Services: If above-mentioned solutions are not helping, try uninstalling the updates of your Google Play Store.
This will remove all present updates of Google Play Store on your Android devices and subsequently, remove any cause of the error.
Enable Download Manager: Google Play Store uses the Download Manager on your Android device to download Android applications and other content.
Check if the Download Manager is enabled. You can do so by going to the Application Manager, select “Download Manager” and tap on “Enable” to enable the Download Manager on your Android Device.
Remove and Re-add Google Account: If the problem persists, you can try removing your Google Account from your Android device and then adding it again.
The issue might be linked to your account and re-adding your account should help to solve the error.
Reboot Android Device: One last resort can be to reboot your Android device and try downloading the desired Android application again. Sometimes this helps with errors unexpectedly.
The above-mentioned solutions should be helpful and help you get rid of the error message.
Please follow the solutions listed above at your own risk and we are not responsible if any damage is caused while fixing the error.
Step-by-Step Guide of How To Fix It:
Clear cache: Try clearing the cache of the Google Play Store on your Android Device as the cache might have some bug which might be stopping an Android application from being downloaded to your device.
- Open Settings application on your Android device.
- Tap on the “Application Manager” option.
- Select the “Google Play Services” option.
- Tap on the “Clear Cache” option.
- Close the Settings application.
Launch “Google Play Store” again and check if the error has been resolved.
