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My app should only be installed on devices that have a fingerprint sensor. (Marshmallow+). In AndroidManifest I have the following code:

<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.fingerprint" android:required="true" />

However, some devices on Google Play are marked as "incompatible", but do work when the APK is installed manually. Why does this not work as it should?

Thomas Vos
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  • The devices marked as incompatible are shown to you on the Google Play Developer Console or is it shown to the customer in the Play Store? – Robert Nov 14 '16 at 16:14
  • @Robert On the Console and for the user. – Thomas Vos Nov 14 '16 at 16:36
  • It does seem to work [as it should](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-feature-element.html): _"Google Play filters the applications **that are visible to users**, so that users can **see and download** only those applications that are compatible with their devices. ... [T]he Android system itself **does not check for matching feature support on the device before installing** an application."_ – Michael Nov 14 '16 at 16:50
  • @Michael I know, but why does Google Play remove devices that have a compatible fingerprint sensor? – Thomas Vos Nov 14 '16 at 16:51
  • Ah, that I don't know. I read your question as _"Why can people install my app on devices that lack a feature I require?"_ – Michael Nov 14 '16 at 16:54
  • @SuperThomasLab: Have you checked that the device reports it's features correctly? – Robert Nov 14 '16 at 20:30
  • @Robert I think that part goes wrong. I don't have such device to test. Do you know of a workaround? (Maybe add those devices manually, just a few devices). – Thomas Vos Nov 15 '16 at 09:28
  • @SuperThomasLab: When I execute `adb shell pm list features` on a Nexus5x I can see the `feature:android.hardware.fingerprint` entry. If you know someone with a device that makes problems may be the owner can send you the feature list. Or you add a possibility to your app to display the list of supported features. – Robert Nov 15 '16 at 09:41
  • @Robert thanks. Do you know if it's possible to include a device manually on Google Play, if it's not compatible? – Thomas Vos Nov 15 '16 at 09:44

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