servo75

Hello,

I recently got a Coby Kyros MID-1042 tablet. I was excited about the possibility of running Apps on it, but I find that it doesn't have Google Play installed, but rather something else called "GetJar," which seems to have a very poor selection of apps. I tried to install Google Play on the tablet by downloading .apk files and running them in a file manager, but they don't work correctly. The Kyros has Android 4.0. The thing I like about Google Apps is the (much much) wider selection of apps, and the fact that my new phone uses it as well, so I can manage my apps right off of my desktop PC. It would be better to have both devices using Google Play.

My questions are: What's the difference in Google Play vs. GetJar? Why would GetJar be installed instead, and how can I install Google Apps. I've read in some places that I have to "root" my device (whatever that means). I hope I don't have to do this just to get Google apps running. This is the site I've been to so far. If anyone can provide any insight, that would be great!

How to install Google Apps (GApps) on your Android Device / Phone « senk9@wp
Latest Version - CyanogenMod Wiki

Background: I'm pretty tech-savvy overall and good with PCs but brand new to Android and smart devices.


Thanks!

zuben el genub

Go over to XDA or find a link. You will have to sideload the apk for market (could be play now) and vending.

I did it on a 7024.

servo75

I appreciate the help, but XDA? Sideload?

Mr. Lucky

XDA: Android Forums & Windows Phone Discussion @ xda-developers
Sideload: On your phone, goto Settings > Applications, check "Unknown sources"

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xxkid123

XDA is a developer community that holds a lot of information for technical issues.

You'll have to search around for it. Android Forums & Windows Phone Discussion @ xda-developers

Sideloading is when you install non market apps. With a normal app the market downloads the installer file (extension .apk) and installs it for you automatically. To sideload, you download the .apk somewhere else (AKA your computer), put it onto your phone, and manually install it (there's an installation dialogue similar to the windows installer- it's very simple)

To sideload the market:

Download the matching .apk off the web onto your computer. (google search it, use sources like XDA instead of 4shared or other sources that could have viruses)

Mount your phone as hard drive (when you plug in the USB cable to your phone should give you the choice between charge only or mount as hard drive). Put the .apk onto the SD Card where you can find it.

Download a file manager off of Getjar, anything will work.

Then go to settings>apps>allow external sources. Assuming your device allows it, this will let you install non market/getjar apps. It might be disabled already, thats OK.

Find the file and tap on it. It'll show a list of permissions, or things that the play store can do on your phone (like access the internet, save files onto your phone, etc). just hit okay, or install.

After that it should install for you, and you'll be able to find play store in your app drawer like any other app.


The device manufacturer probably wanted you to get your apps from something the manufacturer had a deal with, rather than the market. A good example would be the Kindle Fire- amazon would rather you download apps from it's own Amazon app store than the Google Play Store. Therefore they remove the play store and install the Amazon app store instead.

EDIT: the guy above me just explained everything in less than a sentance lol.

Here's a link to the play store. Download the unmodded version. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1582422

Last edited by xxkid123; June 17th, 2012 at 06:13 PM.

Mr. Lucky

Unlocking has nothing to do with the topic being discussed.

Rooting allows you full access to the operating system.
Unlocking allows you to use another carrier's SIM card.

zuben el genub

Don't forget vending apk.

servo75

Ok, so I found these instructionshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6BrWSC2uiAg#!
I installed "One Time Initializer", then "Setup Wizard," then "Google Services Framework", then "Vending 3.3.12". Yes "Allow unknown sources" is checked in the tablet's settings.

Again, I have a Kyros MID-1042 with Android ICS.

Things seemed to be fine until I clicked on Google Play in my apps tab, I was prompted to enter my Gmail account info, so I did. I got the message "Your phone needs to communicate with Google Servers to set up your account...", but after a few minutes, I got a message that says, "Can't establish a reliable data connection to the server", followed by "Unforunately, Google ServicesFramework has stopped."

This is EXTREMELY frustrating. All I want is to have Google Play, I don't want to root or install some crazy mod. And I'm so close!!! Can anyone offer any insight why I might be getting this message? I just want the simplest way to get Google Apps running smoothly on this POS before I just say to hell with it and return it.

Thanks in advance!

Last edited by servo75; June 19th, 2012 at 05:26 PM.

korrupTed

I am not sure, but I believe you need root to install the Google services on a non google approved device.

servo75

Thanks for the reply. That does make sense, as those are proprietary apps. But then how can I tell if a device is Google "approved"?

leon3

Did the sideloading fix below work for you? My wife got a Coby and I was shocked to find Google Play app wasn't on there. Both our cell phones have it and we love all the apps you can get. Thanks.

servo75

Sorry I wound up returning it and getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab. A bit pricier and smaller, but it runs Google Apps without having to do all sorts of strange things to it