This issue simply means that the app you want to download is incompatible with your phone, which blocks you from accessing the app’s Install menu and prevents you from downloading that particular app. There are a number of compatibility-related reasons that could be the cause of this error, and because of that, we have been able to put together the best fixes, which we will go over in depth in this article. Let’s first discuss the typical reasons for the Play Store error.
Common Causes of “Your Device Isn’t Compatible with This Version” Error on Android
The Your Device Isn’t Compatible with This Version error is compatibility which means it’s as a result of your Android phone not being on par with the app you are trying to install. This can, however, be because of the fact that the application doesn’t support your Android version any more or doesn’t even support your phone itself. On the other hand, if the Play Store itself has a corrupt cache or otherwise conflicts with your Android device, it could be the cause of the problem. Let’s highlight those common causes of Your Device Isn’t Compatible with This Version error that we’ve indicated:
Outdated Android OSIncompatible with your Android phoneCorrupt cache
Fix Your Device Isn’t Compatible with This Version Error on Android
Whenever you get the Your Device Isn’t Compatible with This Version error on Play Store, here are the best solutions to fix it. However, before trying any of the solutions below, you should first restart your phone and try to check if the error is still on Play Store. If the error persists, try these fixes:
1. Check for Android Updates
Most times, compatibility issues between apps on Play Store and your phone are because of your Android OS version. This is because the application may not have been developed to support another Android version. Thus, for you to be able to fix the error, you should check for Android updates on installation, if there are any. Here is how I go about it:
- Go to Settings on your phone and select System.
- Navigate to System update and click on it.
- Now, check if any updates are available and install them. After successfully installing the update, go to Play Store again to check if the error has been left.
2. Clear Play Store Cache
Corrupt app caches are the root of the issue with most applications and can be the reason why you are getting this error on Play Store. Hence, it’s recommended that you clear Play Store Cache using the steps below:
- On your app list, press and hold on to the Play Store app and tap on App info.
- Click on Storage & cache.
- Then select Clear cache.
3. Disable Google Play Store
Another solution that has worked for some users is disabling Google Play Store. This will stop all Google Play Store, then after doing that, you can launch the app again, and hopefully, the error will have been fixed.
- Open Settings on your phone and go to Apps.
- Navigate to Google Play Store on the app list and click on it.
- At the bottom of the App info page screen, tap on Disable. After that, launch the Play Store and see if the error has gone.
4. Uninstall Play Store Updates
If you’ve tried the solutions above and the error still persists, try uninstalling Play Store Updates in your phone settings. This will roll back the Play Store app to a previous version in case the issue is because of the version you are using.
- Press and hold the Play Store app and tap on App info.
- On the resulting page, click on the three-dot menu at the top-right corner of your screen and select Uninstall updates.
5. Use APK files
APK files allow you to install most Android files without going through the Play Store. If you have tried the solutions above out and you are not able to download the app, it is time for you to download it as an APK file. Follow the steps below to do that:
- Go to Google Chrome and search for the app you want to download.
- Find a reliable site like APKPure or APKMirror to download from.
- After downloading the files, tap on them and follow the on-screen prompts to install them on your phone.
How do I fix an Android app that’s not compatible?
If an Android app is not compatible with your phone, it’s most probably because the app developers don’t support your current Android OS version. Hence, you should upgrade Android on your phone to a more recent version. Also, some users were able to find a way around this issue by sideloading the application or installing an older version of the application.
Why are some games not compatible with my phone?
Game developers specify the device and operating system they want their games to work on. However, if a game developer doesn’t support your phone or OS or the OS version, then you won’t be able to install the game on your phone.
How do I install an APK on my phone?
Instead of using the Google Play Store to install an application on your phone, you can install it with an APK file. These files are available online for most available applications. You simply have to search for the app you are looking for on Google, download its APK file, and install the application manually.
Final Words
Any time you encounter the Your Device Isn’t Compatible with This Version error on Play Store, try the solutions above to be able to download the application you are having issues with. Let us know the solution that worked for you in the comment section below.