We all know that certain apps and products are to be used with certain devices – but what does it mean when you get the notification that something you are using is an app not optimized for your device? Starting in late 2017 and early 2018, there were changes made to certain apps and devices, particularly Android devices, that required metadata to verify the version needed for Android libraries. This is just a bit of extra work for developers, but some of them aren’t willing to put in that work.
However, people have started to notice that even Android apps aren’t working with all devices, which can be frustrating, to say the least.
What Does “This App May Not Be Optimized For Your Device” Mean?
When you get an error that says “this app may not be optimized for your device” when you are installing a new app or even just updating it, you can get confused. Does this mean that you cannot use the app or that you just won’t have the “best” experience? App optimization is done by developers on a regular basis to ensure that the performance of the app is standard across screens and operating systems. Developers often need to “optimize” to certain screen sizes and capabilities.
In many cases, it could mean that your experience won’t be that different at all. You will be able to do everything, have complete control, and everything is seamless. Other times, you won’t be able to work with some features of the app, you may not see anything, or it could even slow down your tablet to the point where it crashes.
There are a few different reasons that you may be getting that “app is not optimized for your device” error, they include:
- You need to clear your cache
- You need to update your Android version to the newest version
- You may not have enough space on your device to download the assets
- You have a less powerful CPU than is necessary
- Your screen configuration is incompatible with the app
- Your device is too old for the latest updates
If you get this notification, fear not! There are some things that you can do.
Device Not Compatible With Some Apps? What To Do
If you get this error notice quite a bit, there are some different things that you can do for your Android tablet or phone. Not all methods will work, but usually, you will have some success with the following:
Force Close The Google Play Store
The first thing you can try is to clear the data on the Google Play Store. This can help to solve many small compatibility issues. To do this, you need to go to your phone or tablet’s settings application.
- Click on the “Settings” Icon
- Select the “Apps” option
- Click “Google Play Store”
- Select “Force Stop”
- Click “Clear Data”
- Restart your device
Once you’ve gone through every step – and restarting your device is a necessary step – you can try to redownload the app. If this doesn’t work, you may need to try another method. You will have to delete the app and try again.
Update Your Device’s Android Version
If you haven’t updated your phone or tablet’s version lately, it can impact compatibility. You should keep your versioning updated on a regular basis, but it can be difficult to remember if you have to manually do it. You may also have it scheduled but need to update sooner. If that is the case, you need to go back to the settings application.
- Click on the “Settings” Icon
- Select “Check Updates”
- If You See Any Updates Listed, Click “Install”
- Restart Your Device
- Try Downloading Or Reinstalling The App
If you do see updates, that is usually the problem and why you keep getting error messages. If you didn’t see updates or that didn’t work, you can try something else.
The Google Account Trick
The next thing you can do is a bit more labor intensive, but it actually solves a ton of problems. Start by removing and then adding your Google Account back to the device. Sometimes, this reset will fix things. Add the account back will help Google to fix any issues with your device and ensure that you are getting apps optimized for your device. This is particularly effective on tablets. To do this,
- Click on the “Settings” Icon
- Select “Accounts”
- Pick Your Account Name
- Select “Remove Account”
- Restart Your Device
- Once Restarted, Click on the “Settings” Icon
- Click “Add Account”
- Add Your Account Of Choice
- Try To Redownload The App
If you are still getting an error after trying this step, the problem may be with the app and require assistance from the developers. Make sure to check social media and other comments on the app to ensure that it is your problem and not a widespread issue.
Most problems will be fixed with one of these three options or a combination of them. However, older phones and tablets or those that have been damaged may not be able to use newer apps – especially those that utilize newer technology. In that instance, it may be time to get a new device or find another app that will work with your device.
