yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
The Bad News

Due to recent policy changes made by Google, starting in January 2014 Google Chrome for Windows will not permit extensions to be installed from outside the Google Web Store:

http://blog.chromium.org/2013/11/protecting-windows-users-from-malicious.html

What does this mean?

If you are using the Google Chrome or Google Chrome Beta browser on a Windows machine your install of the extension will cease to function. It is unknown exactly when or how it will happen. Speculation is that the extension will be deleted without notice. This should not affect you if you are using the Google Chrome Dev or Google Chrome Canary channel browser versions for Windows.

The above link makes no mention to OSX or Linux extensions being disabled.

What are your options?

Convince Google to change this policy.

Use the Google Chrome Dev channel for Windows browser.

Note: the Google Chrome “Dev channel” browser is updated more frequently than the Stable or Beta browser versions and can be unstable from time to time.

If your Windows machine is part of an organization, you can create a Windows Group Policy to allow the install of the extension. You can read about this here and here.

Summary

The Google Chrome Stable and Google Chrome Beta browsers will automatically disable and/or delete your install of the extension on your Windows machines at some point in January 2014.

Extension developers have no control over this. It is something that Google implementing, not them.
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Sorry to hear that news [MENTION=2807229]Strephon Alkhalikoi[/MENTION] have installed canary chrome and 1.5.0 is working,hopefully long after January 2014

I never got apkdownloader 1.3.4 to work as the extension never shows up in the address bar? other versions work (Am using 1.5.0) why not this one?
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Chrome itself broke 1.3.4. 1.5.0 is the fix to 1.3.4, which is why 1.3.4 itself was never fixed.
[Android Apps and Games] Sideswipebm:
Download?

Hello, Sorry to bother anyone but ive tried this and is not working all i need is this app from japan but im in the UK any help?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.ideaf.neptune.nepkamijigenapp&hl=en

Thank You

:)
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Search the thread. I posted a direct link to Neptunia some time ago.
[Android Apps and Games] Sideswipebm:
I have checked it and its not the right one this is a whole different app.
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Then hopefully a Japanese Android user can help you. Because the language requirement is what's preventing you from getting the app.
[Android Apps and Games] Sideswipebm:
Ok thanks
[Android Apps and Games] Maymay0130:
The IMAGE VERIFICATION is hard to me.

I must say GOODBYE to the South Korea games....:(:(:(
[Android Apps and Games] m_jani:
Not working again?

Is the extension not working again?

:(:mad:
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Looks like it,looks like chrome canary isn't allowing the extension to run since a couple of days ago..... Not good

Tapatyping from my nexus
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
It's definitely not working. In fact, it's not even showing although it is installed. I'll keep it installed for now, but to be honest I don't expect to see a fix anytime soon, especially after Google restricted off-store downloads to the developer builds.

There's always "the hard way": download to the device, back the APK up on the device, then transfer it to the PC.
[Android Apps and Games] m_jani:
1.4.3 works!

[MENTION=2714876]bombadier[/MENTION] and [MENTION=2807229]Strephon Alkhalikoi[/MENTION]

Just an update---Somehow the extension version 1.4.3 works from this site

[Official] APK Downloader – Download APK files from Android Market to PC

Am using Chrome dev builds.

And yes that is also an option to backup apks and use it later.

Thank you devs!
[Android Apps and Games] houtx2:
Works in current stable version too.....:o
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
That is the codekiem's hacked version, not the version this thread is discussing. However, that is rather telling as it may mean I simply have to uninstall and reinstall 1.5.0 again to restore it to working condition.
[Android Apps and Games] miro666:
Working...Look at:

APK Downloader Site

Regards
[Android Apps and Games] m_jani:
True....no bad intention from my side.......but just wanted to notify that version works!
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Well I have just tested 1.4.3 on chrome beta and chrome canary and it shows up but get an error and it will not work,looks like unless some work is done on apkdownloader when Chrome beta moves to stable it will stop working.
[Android Apps and Games] Lekensteyn:
Others have reported issues with the download button, so it's not necessary an issue from Chrome beta.

I have a fix for https://github.com/Lekensteyn/apk-downloader/issues/9, right now I am investigating another issue where the login token keeps getting lost.
[Android Apps and Games] Lekensteyn:
A new version of the spyware-free and open-source APK downloader is available!

Get it from https://lekensteyn.nl/apk-downloader/ or fetch the sources from https://github.com/Lekensteyn/apk-downloader!

Also note that the APK Downloader 2.1 from Evozi still contains tracking code, both the crx hosted on his website and the one from the Chrome Web Store. It obviously merges patches from the opensource project without contributing, or even attributing, anything. Sigh.
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
New version (followed your link and downloaded from 11/02/14)

Chrome canary 34.0.1833.4 and Chrome beta 33.0.1750.70 beta-m are still blocking it :(
[Android Apps and Games] Lekensteyn:
Using version 34.0.1820.2 (Developer build 248536) from https://launchpad.net/~saiarcot895/+archive/chromium-dev, I can still download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.hermit.netscramble. What app are trying to download? What error do you get? Are you sure that you are running the latest version (2.0)?

You can also report it on https://github.com/Lekensteyn/apk-downloader/issues.
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Definitely the latest version installed,chrome is blocking the extension from showing in the address bar,if you prefer can open an issue at github

Tapatyping from my nexus
[Android Apps and Games] Lekensteyn:
Try to reproduce it with a new, empty Chrome profile to rule out settings and conflicts with other extensions. And yes, please open an issue on Github as that makes it easier to track a single bug.
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Ok apologies it looks like I had not installed the correct version sorry about that,however now getting the error "Cannot download app,maybe its a paid app or something ?"

The email address and ID are valid,how to troubleshoot?

thanks
[Android Apps and Games] Lekensteyn:
Can you share the app ID which you are trying to download? Can you download, say, Scrambled Network? You can also try acquiring a new token by logging out and in.
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Thanks [MENTION=4790426]Lekensteyn[/MENTION]

Have opened an issue at github, it works with my nexus 7's ID,just not my nexus 4

Tapatyping from my nexus
[Android Apps and Games] drgkt:
Was working.

Now I get this:
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Check to see that your device ID has not changed,I had a problem and it was traced to the device ID on my nexus 4 changing
[Android Apps and Games] drgkt:
Device id is ok.

Could it be because of "device incompatible"?
[Android Apps and Games] drgkt:
No it cannot be because it does it on other "compatible" apps as well.
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Possibly,in my experience apkdownloader isnt 100% successful,some apps I just cannot get regardless of whether my device is compatible or not,you could also try and log out and back in

Tapatyping from my nexus
[Android Apps and Games] ahmetcan44:
I cannot login. My device ID is correct. It says authentication failed. 2-step authentication is on but when I try to login via Google Authenticator, result is same.

What to do?
[Android Apps and Games] drgkt:
Confirmed. Some apps it downloads, some no. who knows why....
[Android Apps and Games] georgiecasey:
what part of that don't you understand?
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Well, no one knows exactly why, but here's the main reasons:

The app requires payment. This may sound obvious, but people still try anyway.

The app is not compatible with your device. If the device you log in with using APK Downloader isn't compatible with the app you want, you won't be able to download the app. For example, Google Car Home can only be downloaded by two devices. If you don't have either of those devices, you cannot download the app. The solution here is to log in with a device that is compatible, if you have one.

Your login has expired. Yes, this does happen. The login information will no longer be valid, likely due to the (presumed) cookie APK Downloader sets expiring. The solution is simply to log in again.
[Android Apps and Games] kusakov:
Rus Online APK Downloader

Online Apk Downloader from Google Play! http://download.freeapk.ru
[Android Apps and Games] Tweekzor:
What can I try if I meet all those requirments? Trying to download Dropbox (which is free), compatible with my android and I have only just logged in.

The error I get is a 403 Forbidden
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Make sure you're using the version of the downloader here and not the Evozi spyware version or the Codekiems hack. Other than that, there's not much you can do except be patient and see if the issue corrects itself. While most 403 errors are caused by trying to browse where you're not supposed to, the downloader uses the proper Google protocols and should not be throwing up 403 errors.
[Android Apps and Games] Tweekzor:
Thanks, but I have seem to understand the previous message incorrect. Instead of relogging with the plugin I did a login on my account via the website, which obviously didn't solve the problem. Logging back in with the plugin did solve it. :)
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
It's good you got your problem sorted out. :)
[Android Apps and Games] paranoidmarvin42:
Thanks for this :D 2.0 works on latest chrome although there is no file extension to what chrome downloads just numbers. Renamed it, transferred it to phone, works so all is good. :good:
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Just keep in mind that APK Downloader has no control over Google's naming scheme for its apps. When Google updated the Play Store, they updated the naming scheme for apps. As a guess, Google Services Framework has code in it that renames the file to a friendly name once it's downloaded on a device. Obviously, PCs don't have this code, thus they don't change names.

That said, if there is a way to bypass Google's renaming I'm all ears.
[Android Apps and Games] sflesch:
So, the Chrome extension no longer works as Google has blocked any extension not downloaded from the store. One workaround is Chrome developers version, but is there any chance of getting this extension in the store? :confused:
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
I'm not the OP, but to be blunt, no. APK Downloader is in likely the same position as YouTube Options. In the case of YouTube Options, the full version, which let you download from YouTube, violated Google's TOS and thus could not be released on the store. It stands to reason that Google would not permit APK Downloader to be offered on the store if they're not going to allow YouTube Options to do the same.
[Android Apps and Games] beratalp:
Is Firefox extension possible?
[Android Apps and Games] Cozzmy13:
Not Logging In

Why it does that?

I am trying to log in with my Google account, but it fails. On Google Play logging works flawlessly.
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
I'm on version 38.0.2125.0 canary (64-bit) and think we could need an update as I am having problems
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
[MENTION=2714876]bombadier[/MENTION]: Version 38.0.2121.3 dev-m (64-bit) here, and no problems downloading apps with the extension. It could simply be an Internet glitch on your end, so I would try again.

[MENTION=5994357]Cozzmy13[/MENTION]: If your email address and password is correct, then unless you're trying to download paid apps (which will fail), double-check your device ID and be sure it is entered correctly. An improperly entered device ID will prevent the extension from working correctly.
[Android Apps and Games] Cozzmy13:
[MENTION=4702180]streph[/MENTION]on

Should I log on with the account on my phone at least once? Is that necessary?
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
It wouldn't hurt.
[Android Apps and Games] Noahllie:
Hi, I'm new to the forum (and technologically challenged to boot), so please excuse me if I seem a bit lost.

I've been searchin the forum to find out if there's a way to install applications from Google Play to my mobile phone (Nexus 5) via a USB cable connected to my PC (ergo, I guess the apps would need to be downloaded to the PC first).

I realise that the original post describing this process is from 2012 and, before reading 48 pages of later comments... Can someone who has followed the thread tell me if this is still possible? (it looks from the last comments that it is no longer possible?) Is there maybe some other way explained in another thread that I haven't found?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

EDITED!!!: Please don't bother, I already found the answer by following the instructions given in this post (in case anyone else is wondering):

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=50613037&postcount=7
[Android Apps and Games] Mad07:
Q: A510 Device ID ? ; changed via root, flash Customer Image :(

I'm owner of an Acer Tab A510

The Tab was rooted with the Stockkernel long time. After update the Recovery Image, the TAB doesn't start anymore ( about the LVM-Support) and I've flash the OmniRom, CM11 etc...

Uncomfortable the A510 is now several times in the Google Dashboard - already with the name A510. Ok, this one is not a big issue, but : If I try to download an APK from ACER, Google told be, that no device is compatible with this APK.

Now we are on the point with the APK Downloader: I should insert a Device ID. Uncomfortable the ID looks like changed, because otherwise, I should download as normal the APK from the market, isn't it?

I don't want flash back the old Stock-FW incl Bootloader & Recoverymenu, root the device - only to received a valid Device ID andreflash all from the beginning.

Which kind of way can I use also to received a valid Device ID for that Device ?
[Android Apps and Games] thahim:
[MENTION=4273402]Bexton[/MENTION] i have downloaded the extension from chrome webstore, but i can't get device id on my note 3, dialing *#*#TALK#*#* dials the number actually, doesn't takes me to service menu.
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Install Device ID by redphx from the Play Store and run it to get the number.
[Android Apps and Games] Guest005:
Chrome Extension can't login

google account and GSF ID is right

but can't login:crying:
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
What is the app are you're trying to download? I just now tested the extension by downloading AFWall+ and had no trouble.
[Android Apps and Games] hmaxos:
I get the error "You cant use this email" and it's my play email!!!!
[Android Apps and Games] JayBass:
same here, also, cant use this email?

my email address is made up of two names broken by a period, maybe this is why?

like this: blah.blah@gmail.com
[Android Apps and Games] nadres:
i tried this but im having a problem downloading application to other region. the application i was trying to download is in italy store. the error is same that the application i was trying is not available on my region.
[Android Apps and Games] elkinguerrabarreto:
PAILAS

ERROR: Cannot use this mail, what i do?
[Android Apps and Games] jamesjames89:
Same thing. It says I cannot use this email.
[Android Apps and Games] extremesammy:
Still says : "I cannot use this email."
[Android Apps and Games] Johnnady:
not working on Google Chrome 52.x
[Android Apps and Games] vigneshkumar:
this email id cant be used ... error shows while login my account
[Android Apps and Games] billa:
Looks like Goo-gaa-gaa (lol) has changed something again in their api, because neither this nor the original APK Donwloader (https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1515021) seems to work lately. Hope the devs will take a look.
[Android Apps and Games] Seth Rich:
Any updates on this? Should I stop wasting my time trying to hunt down anything that calls itself a browser add-on for direct APK downloading?

And since I'm here - can someone clarify this: The android device ID app gives something called the "Android Device ID" and something else called the "Google Service Framework (GSF) ID". Both are 16-character hex strings. Which one is used by these browser extensions as they interact with google play store?

And - which-ever one is used - does it have to be recognized or "registered" first with google somehow for this APK download method to work?
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
It hasn't been updated in years so I wouldn't bother. Download from APKMirror instead. If the app isn't on APKMirror, install it on your device then back up the APK using one of the many apps for the purpose.
[Android Apps and Games] billa:
Sure that's workable, but this extension was so useful for downloading different platform versions by merely changing the device codename in settings, including api version.

Plus the convenience of browsing the PlayStore on a desktop/laptop browser, and being able to download on the spot while browsing the apps.

Hope the devs will take a look into the glitch, which by the way has been happening quite often lately possibly due to google's api changes.

If there's anything us users can help by testing, just let us know.
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
Replying to me isn't going to get development moving. And after nearly five years since I last used the extension, I don't believe anything will. Of course, you could check for the source code on GitHub yourself and start maintaining things. You clearly have the desire to do the work.
[Android Apps and Games] billa:
Sorry, I wasn't demanding further maintenance of the project, just thought I'd spark some interest in whoever might want to tinker with it.

Once you get used to downloading apps in the comfort of a desktop, it's hard to go back to a mobile device downloading and backing up each one at a time.

Definitely one of my favorite extensions yet, guess will just have to dig into the code.

The authentication fix in the latest version 2.1.10 was the simple deletion of these lines of code.

I'll try to add it back on and see what happens.

/*** REMOVE ***/

, marketDA;

if ((marketDA = /MarketDA..(\d+)/.exec(data))) {

marketDA = marketDA[1];

BrowserCookie.set({

url: appUrl,

name: 'MarketDA',

value: marketDA

}, function() {

BrowserCookie.set({

url: redirectUrl,

name: 'MarketDA',

value: marketDA

}, function() {

});

});

}

As probably everyone has noticed by now, pretty much all APK downloaders have started to fail lately.

The reason for this is a recent change in Google Play's login mechanism, using session cookies rather than tokens.

One interesting thing to note is that in FDFE urls, the following two url parameters are supported:

ipCountryOverride

mccmncOverride

Which when implemented correctly would allow to bypass Google Play's region/carrier locks without using messy proxys. ;)
[Android Apps and Games] mbairz:
Is there any particular reason why this project is chosen to be an extension rather than a standalone application? Is there something special to be gained from Chrome browser Vs the disadvantage of being tied to this platform and if it changes, having to figure out what's wrong etc and make appropriate changes?

I've never written extensions, so I honestly don't know. But I think all a browser can do is just send data and then if all goes well receive other data, so using Java (or another language) should be possible to achieve this? Or am I missing something.

The reason I'm asking is then it can be ported to Android more easily. That is, to have a legit way of downloading APKs from the store *without* having a Play Store.
[Android Apps and Games] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
It needs to be an extension as it leverages APIs present only in Chrome or Chromium-based browsers to do its work. To have an Android app do the same thing likely would require signature spoofing like what MicroG requires. Of course if you wanted to open the signature spoofing security hole on your device you could just use a ROM with built-in signature spoofing, install MicroG and the Play Store, and be done.

The point is moot anyway, as support for this extension ended years ago.
[Android Apps and Games] phichidev:
You can search "Direct APK Downloader" in Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-Ons Store to search and download APK & OBB files directly from Google Play Store
[Android Apps and Games] sflesch:
For those of you looking for alternatives, my Brother-in-law introduced me to Raccoon APK Downloader. So far it has been great.
[Android Apps and Games] William_forever:
I used to rely on that one. But have moved to apknite's extension. Apkpure is okay, too. They're known and safe. Just don't wanna virus to my phone
[Android Apps and Games] TinaDone:
Thank you very much, use the apk downloader from Apk2down.com provider now and download your favorite file.
[Android Apps and Games] :
I input our adrID and it's 16 but that error me must be 16 characters.last I am copy from my ID by my phone.
[Android Apps and Games] k.knuse:
Bluestacks device-id not accepted?

Guys

being a Playbook user I am not in the possession of a device-id, therefore I used the id provided by my BlueStacks installation.

But whenever trying to download I get the "please disable SSL check / verify account" popup.

I am rather certain that I disabled the SSL check successfully: I was able to use the original APK Downloader that also required SSL to be disabled until a few Chrome updates ago (using the switches "--ignore-certificate-errors --allow-running-insecure-content").

The Google Play website says, "This app is compatible with your BlueStacks", so there should also not be an issue with country restrictions etc.

Can anybody advise how to resolve this?

Is the BlueStacks device-id maybe a bad choice despite being seemingly accepted?

I would happily use my Playbook's device-id, and I understand from supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/Android-Runtime-Development/Unique-Device-ID-for-Blackberry-Playbook/td-p/1594647/ (sorry, may not post link) that it is somehow available, but I was not able to access it.

Looking forward to your suggestions!
[Android Apps and Games] Bexton:
As an answer in the linked thread suggests, you can get your device id with

Settings.System.getString(getContentResolver(), Settings.System.ANDROID_ID)

I made a simple app, which should display your device ID.

Download: http://d-h.st/Sc6

Source code of the app:

public class MainActivity extends Activity {
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
TextView _textview = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textview);
_textview.setText(
Settings.System.getString(getContentResolver(), Settings.System.ANDROID_ID));
}
}

Hope it helps.
[Android Apps and Games] XlAfbk:
The ID it shows on my Galaxy Nexus is different from the one GTalk service monitor is showing.
[Android Apps and Games] Bexton:
Thanks for pointing out. I've update the App to show also the "correct" Android Id. There're actually two of them: The previous version of my App showed only the Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID. What we need here, is the GSF Android-ID (used by Google Services).

Here is the new DL link: http://d-h.st/u1B

New app screen looks as follows:
[Android Apps and Games] XlAfbk:
GSF ID now matches GTalk monitors :)

Thx for the app, I'll keep it around as I tend to break my Google account every 2-3 weeks with new ROMs, this is faster than checking Service Monitor.