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App couldn't be updated via Google Play Store

Andrey shared this problem 23 months ago
Solved

Currently installed version is 3.60.0.

Today I saw in the Google Play Store that an update is available. I tapped on "Update", but the app said "Cannot update!". I tried rebooting the device, but after that the update continued to fail.

See attached screenshots for details.

Is there anything I can do to complete the update?

Best Answer
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Hello Andrey,

as we search for the reason for this behavior, it seems that from today, no Russian users can update paid apps. It is another sanction from Google because of the terror that Russia does in Ukraine, next to in-ability to pay for the apps & content.

We already provide the latest app versions over the shared Google Drive directory, so it is possible to update Locus Map Classic app manually.

Thanks for understanding,

Jiří M. aka Menion

Replies (8)

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I confirm. Current version 3.60.1

LM4 successfully updated to 4.9.2 at the same time.

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Hello Andrey,

as we search for the reason for this behavior, it seems that from today, no Russian users can update paid apps. It is another sanction from Google because of the terror that Russia does in Ukraine, next to in-ability to pay for the apps & content.

We already provide the latest app versions over the shared Google Drive directory, so it is possible to update Locus Map Classic app manually.

Thanks for understanding,

Jiří M. aka Menion

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The correct version of the file for a regular Android phone has the name starting with "ClassicGooglePlay" (without "Afa"), am I correct?

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https://9to5google.com/2022/05/05/google-play-russia-paid-apps/

These days we can very well see what's possible and of how much value digital goods can easily be. "For compliance reasons".

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https://9to5google.com/2022/05/05/google-play-russia-paid-apps/

Google has recommended developers defer payment renewals (which is possible for up to one year).

Another given possibility for developers was making apps free or removing the paid subscription “during this pause.” That was advised for applications that provide a “critical service to users that keeps them safe and provides access to information.”

What Locus team thinks about making the app renewal free (temporary)? Russians anyway cannot pay for it.

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The only reason to oause the subscription is for any russian medical S&R first respinders who use live tracking. which is limited amount.

Locus team shouldnt lose income just because russia started a war. Menion has already pointed out a fix for the main app.

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> Locus team shouldnt lose income

Of course.

but the point is that it won't cause lost of income, because Russians can't pay anyway (either way there will be no payment).

I mean make it free only for Russian subscriptions (if it's technically possible).

And of course I totally willing to pay for subscription other way, than Google Play, but there is no way yet.

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But it is not Russia that has started the "war" -- Russia is just protecting the civilians who are being exterminated by the Ukrainian forces during all these years. The military operation has been started by the president pro tempore Turchinov back in 2014, after the illegal U.S.-inspired coup. Turchinov literally has started the "anti-terrorist operation" aka "АТО" against Russian-speaking civilians at the East side of UA; between 2014 and 2022 more than 14,000 civilians had been killed there -- just for their lack of desire to live under the nationalist Ukrainian regime that had been oppressing Russian speakers.

For some reason, killing Russians and Russian-speakers is not a reason for sanctions though :(

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Would a vpn enable you to access the subscription options?

main issue is why should Locus team spend time making it free for russia....

Its not up to Locus to deal with sanctions

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Let's not talk here about politics. I think talk can be in scope of google play, payments and subscriptions.

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> Would a vpn enable you to access the subscription options?


To renew subscription I think now one need to:

- change google play region

- pay with visa/mastercard card issued not in Russia

last is biggest problem.


To get updates for already paid subscription - not sure. Maybe change of region will help.

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Yes, no politics

Can you use a vpn, or are they blocked

proton vpn is free and would be worth a try

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Can you use paypal to pay for the subscription.

or paypal to buy locoins, and then buy subscription with locoins.

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> or paypal to buy locoins, and then buy subscription with locoins.

Paypal does not work too - only crypto currencies work.

I already have locoins, but never saw that one can pay for main app subscription with locoins? I see no mention in menus nor in manual.

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its a hidden feature in expert settings, 2100 coins

if you can somehow get locoins bought, then you can subscribe this way

i just used to use up spare locoins

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Hello Victor,

it is complicated.

Google decided to apply announced sanctions and we as the Asamm team agree with them (even if we doubt that mainly inability to download updates for already purchased apps makes sense).

By-passing them breaks what sanctions should do, its main purpose. Because of this, we do not really want to search for alternatives.

Let's all hope, as almost everyone in the world, that this stupid conflict ends as soon as possible and we won't have to waste time with such stupid tasks. It is nothing personal against you of course. Thanks for understanding.

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Ok, I understand

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From this day on, we (the users from R.F.) are having our own App Store, called RuStore.

Will it be possible to publish the updated versions of the app there, on that Store?

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Hello Andrey, seems that the web is down. Seems it is not yet perfectly reliable service so let's give it some time to prove it worth it.

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Lol. It's not down. According to my testings it's not available from outside Russia, but works inside Russia. I suspect by maintainers' intension. Things get more and more complicated for Russian citizens)

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Indeed it works great from within Russia -- superfast.

I'll talk to their dev team about the future possibilities.

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Now for some reason this help forum won't open from Russia without foreign proxy

(´。_。`)

I've just got a reply from support@rustore.ru -- they told me that indeed a few last days there might have been a few problems reaching their App Store from abroad, but now it should be opening totally fine.

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it could be the fact that its a .eu domain....

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Rustore is accessible now. But since Google will always 100% follow NATO politics, there's some dangers. Eg. Not necessarily related to politics, but they are busy on disallowing apk execution from outside their store. Developing towards Apple unfortunately.

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Finally I've got a reply from the RuStore team about foreign apps.


They told me the following: "Unfortunately, right now only participants with Russian "INN" (individual taxpayer ID) are allowed to participate. In the future, though, we are having a clear plan to extend the number of countries that could participate. When this happens, we will get back to you with the reply containing a detailed instruction".

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Hello Andrey,

thanks for your communication with portal devs. So even if we want to publish app over this portal, it is not possible yet.

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