10 Ways to Fix ‘Your Device Isn’t Compatible With This Version’ on Android

Are you trying to install an app on your Android phone only to receive a compatibility issue in return? You may open the app info in the Google Play Store, but the ‘Install’ button disappears. Instead, it shows a ‘your device isn’t compatible with this version’ error. It’s not similar to the problem where apps don’t install on Android but show incompatibility for your phone with the specific app.

Before we jump to troubleshooting options, let’s talk about version compatibility on Android and why some developers might restrict their offerings to a few models and the latest Android versions.

Why Is My Device Not Compatible With Some Apps

Every year, Google releases new APIs to let developers implement them in their apps. To push OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to the newer Android version, Google pulls the support plug on the old Android version. The move also ensures better security and privacy for end-users.

After implementing the newest Android APIs, developers may restrict their apps to a few of the latest devices. That’s to ensure that the app works perfectly on most devices. Besides, the Android world is fragmented, with thousands of devices of different sizes, display resolutions, and CPUs.

For the best user experience, a developer might not offer their app on every device. For instance, you can technically sideload Android apps to your Android TV, but most apps aren’t optimized for a TV interface. You will run into display scaling and performance issues.

If you try installing apps unavailable in your region, you might face the same issue. For example, streaming services like ESPN+, Hulu, and YouTube TV are exclusive to a few regions.

Besides the reason above, other factors such as corrupt Play Store cache, outdated Google Play Services, outdated system OS, and other factors may affect an app’s compatibility on your Android phone.

How to Fix ‘Your Device Isn’t Compatible With This Version’

The Android ecosystem isn’t limited to phones only. Google’s operating system stretches to Android TV, Android Wear, and tablets, too. A specific app designed with a rectangle phone in mind may not be compatible with your Galaxy tablet or an Android TV from TCL. Thanks to Android’s open nature, you can always sideload the app or contact the developer to make necessary changes.

Let’s glance over the below fixes to solve the app incompatibility issue on Android.

1. Update Android OS

It’s the first thing you should do when you face the ‘your device isn’t compatible with this version’ error on Android. Google encourages developers to target newer Android versions with the latest APIs. Google and Android-based phone makers frequently release system updates to add new features and bug fixes. Even though the Android update doesn’t sound exciting on paper, you should still install it to make your device compatible with new apps and services.

Step 1: Swipe up your Android home screen and open the app drawer menu.

Step 2: Launch the Settings menu (the one with a gear icon).

Step 3: Scroll to System.

Step 4: Select System update and install the latest Android update on your phone.

After downloading and installing the latest update, head to the Play Store and download the app again.

2. Corrupt Google Play Store Cache

Google Play Store collects cache to save your search entries, and load frequently visited pages quickly. When Google Play Store collects corrupt cache data, you may face issues with downloading apps, and it may throw compatibility errors, too. Follow the steps below to clear the Play Store cache on Android.

Step 1: Swipe up from the home screen and open the app drawer menu.

Step 2: Find the Google Play Store icon from the list and long-press on it.

Step 3: Select the i button to open the app info menu.

Step 4: Open the Storage and cache menu.

Step 5: Select Clear cache.

Google Play Store may feel slow initially as the app loads everything from scratch. Head to the app info menu and see if the install button appears.

3. Force Stop Google Play Store

If Google Play Store misbehaves on your Android phone, force stop the app and check the compatibility.

Step 1: Long-tap on Google Play Store to open the app info menu.

Step 2: Tap Force stop.

4. Reset Google Services Framework on Android

This trick worked like a charm when apps like Snapchat, Netflix, and Apex Legends showed incompatibility on our Android phones. You can reset Google Services Framework from Settings.

Step 1: Open Settings and select Apps. Tap See All Apps.

Step 2: Select the three-dot menu at the top. Open Show system.

Step 3: Scroll to Google Services Framework. Tap Disable and enable it after a minute or two.

5. Delete Google Services Framework Cache

If the app incompatibility issue persists, delete the Google Services Framework cache. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Open Settings and navigate to Apps > Show all apps > Show system > Google Services Framework.

Step 2: Tap Storage and cache. Select Clear cache.

6. Uninstall Play Store Updates

A recent Play Store update might have messed up version compatibility on your Android phone. It’s time to uninstall the latest Play Store updates and revert to the stable build.

Step 1: Open the Play Store info menu (refer to the steps above).

Step 2: Select the three-dot menu in the top right corner.

Step 3: Tap ‘Uninstall updates and confirm your decision.

7. Sideload an App From the Web

If you still face the ‘your device isn’t compatible with this version’ issue, sideload an APK (Android Application Package) file from the web. Before downloading and installing an APK file, enable relevant permission on your phone.

Note: When downloading APKs from the web, you should stick to well-known names like APKMirror.

Step 1: Long-tap on the Google Chrome icon and open the app info menu.

Step 2: Scroll to Install unknown apps.

Step 3: Enable the ‘Allow from this source’ toggle.

Step 4: Download an APK file from the web and tap on it to extract and install it on Android.

If the latest Android APK is incompatible with your phone’s Android version, download the old APK version from your preferred source.

8. Install a Custom ROM

Before installing a custom ROM on your Android phone, let’s have a word of caution. Installing a custom ROM requires you to root the Android phone. The process might void the warranty, and a slight misstep may leave you with a bricked device.

Chances are, your Android phone’s CPU is already compatible with the latest Android version, but the OEM decided to cut the support midway. Once you install custom ROM on your phone, visit the Play Store and install apps without compatibility issues.

9. Try a Different App Store

Are you facing the ‘your device isn’t compatible with this version’ error on a Samsung phone? All Galaxy phones come with a Galaxy Store to download apps and games. You can ditch the Google Play Store and use Galaxy Store to install apps without errors. You can also try another source, like the Amazon App Store, to install relevant apps.

10. Opt Your Android Phone Out of Beta Software

Before releasing the major Android OS to the public, Google tests the software with developers and early adopters. If you are one of such enthusiasts testing an early build of Android, some of the apps may become incompatible on your phone. You should either wait for Google to fix such issues in the upcoming Android builds or roll back to the stable Android version on your phone.

FAQs

Avoid Compatibility Issues

In most cases, you should be fine with sideloading an app from the web. But you should stick with reputed sources on the web, and don’t be surprised if you notice scaling issues.