yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Nexus 7 General] erica_renee:
Its more flat then square.. .

I totally agree with the deciding on What user to install for.. As well there should be settings in the admin account as to what type of apps a user can install. how much disk space they can use.. To really make it usable for what most in here want.. Limit time constraints and so on .

Im sure they will Build more into it as they go.. The way windows does multi user is awesome..

/user

/user/ erica

/user/ erica renee

/user/ guest

I have my /user /erica located on a second partition.. So if i wipe windows no worry about any data because now games email and everything uses the user account for the most part..

Something similar would be awesome..
[Nexus 7 General] rmm200:
Poll does not cover my use case.

My daughter can download free games on her ID. She can use my ID if she needs something I purchased.

Bringing up piracy in the context of multi-user is just stupid - people into stealing will and the rest of us won't.

Multiuser has nothing to do with it.

Current Google PlayStore works fine for me. I can download a paid app onto any device I register on my account.

Greedy developers who want more money out of me - can just go find a different customer. I won't buy their product.

I say that as a developer.
[Nexus 7 General] blackhand1001:
Lol, as if that's a bad thing. Chrome is horrendous. I also think having played apps only work on one user is stupid as well.
[Nexus 7 General] Thorvexx:
I have a solution, though I'm not sure whether it's legal or not.

As you can still add multiple Google-accounts to a user, it's not really a problem, just can just add your google account to the other users,disable sync, switch to your account it in the Play Store, install the apps you want(it's just a matter of seconds,no second download needed)..problem solved.

As for your Kids, delete your Google-Account from their account after installing, the apps should still be available.

Worked for me.
[Nexus 7 General] e.mote:
I find myself agreeing with many of the sentiments voiced thus far.

I agree that this is part of Android's maturity process as it grows out of its phone roots. For phones, a per-user license model is the natural choice, as device-sharing isn't common. But once device-sharing is needed, this model breaks, and needs modification.

While there are various workarounds available as mentioned, I think there needs to be an official solution, if only for ease-of-use alone. Normal users shouldn't be expected to jump through hoops for a functionality as basic as sharing a device between family members.

For the short term, I think a restricted-mode (aka kid's mode) for the primary account would be very useful for a family device, more useful than the current fully-segregated acct scheme. This avoids any app-sharing abuse, as the restricted mode can't be used as an independent account.

For the long term, I think a more granular licensing scheme is needed for apps. Example: For a $5 app, an "auxiliary" license (say $1) may be offered for a separate account on the same device. This allows the dev to still make some money, but not large enough to push users to avoid paying the cost of a full second license.

I don't think a per-device scheme would be advisable, as it would get confusing and complicated when mixed in with per-user apps. The more complications to paying, the more people will opt for the easy way out, which is warez.

Speaking of piracy, yes, there will alway be people who pirate no matter what. But the facts are that piracy is a major problem for Android, because it is so damn easy and convenient for people to find pirated apps. The more hassle it is for users to pay for what they want, the more people will pirate. Think of it as a convenience function.

It's also a function of user expectation. As some said, we are used to the PC's per-device licensing model for family devices, and paying multiple times for the same thing on the same device just seems wrong, no matter how you couch the argument. I think users can be weaned away from this to the per-user model, but only gradually, and with carrots to lead the way. Doing an abrupt about-face like the current multiuser implementation would only antagonize the user, and be a recipe for increased piracy. Look no further than the music and movie markets for a taster of the draconian approach.
[Nexus 7 General] tikiral:
I consider it to be the same thing as two different devices. My solution there? The official Google one. I add my Google account to the Play Store so when I buy something, my wife can use her tablet, go into the store, switch to my account and install it. I'm in the same boat as one of the previous folks said and upgrade often so I don't anticipate having to worry about the multi user deal. I'd actually rather see the ability to add other accounts that aren't tied to a google account for more of a work / fun separation.
[Nexus 7 General] gogol:
My experience is different.

I have separate Google account for buying app, email, and even contacts.

So, I can still share my purchased apps with multi user setup.

On my main account, I setup in the following order:

- google account for buying app

- then add my Gmail account

On second user:

- my wife Gmail account

- then add the Google account for buying app

And I have no problem installing my purchased apps on both users.

Note that I always buy apps, I don't pirate. Even app as expensive as TomTom.

The thing is... I want to share with my family members. Those are my families, we share a house, television, Nintendo Wii, etc.

I share a desktop computer pc with all the apps.

I always do that, and I don't think that's wrong.

And I don't want to change that.

That should be the way multi user setup in a single device.

If I have to buy multiple copies of app, then that's just greedy, and not practical.

---------- Post added at 10:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------

I don't think I can agree with calling apps sharing an "abuse" and wrong.

I meant, if I have a tablet with an app there, I am may not give it to my wife or kids to play with it? Just because I bought only one license?

"Sorry kid, this is daddy's toy. You may not play this game, daddy only bought one license"

So for that, I must hide the tablet?

That's absurd.

I have never thought like that ever.
[Nexus 7 General] adfad666:
Perhaps it could be something set at the app level by developers. If a developer doesn't mind his app being used by multiple users on a device then he can allow it in the app itself. However there will also need to be some way of managing this, perhaps via another option on the play store. a simple check box with "make this app available to other users of this device" would be more than enough, and it's either visible only on apps which allow it, or it's greyed out on apps that disallow it with an explanation why.

Devs could then offer single user and multiuser apps for additional cost.
[Nexus 7 General] erica_renee:
I would agree with this . But i think the best solution is to somehow bind each user to your google app account. And have the app limited to run on say 3-5 devices Only.. As to where you can remove a device when you retire it. Get a new one you can install your apps. Of course some type of device validation. Google has that now with wallet . As far the above with multi user a device. There needs to be in the app manager a way to make this app available for all users.. FIXES Both issues.

Great Replies everyone.. I am so glad to see this thread civil. they usually are not so much
[Nexus 7 General] Toast95135:
I don't see what the issue is. If you want something like a guest account, use your gmail thats linked to the market to install paid apps. You don't have to buy them again. You can add a pin number to keep anyone from buying anything and they can add their own account as well.
[Nexus 7 General] gr8hairy1:
I don't see a license going out per device. Too easy to mess up, especially since build.prop would likely play a role in it. And that can change from rom to rom. If it did go that way obviously it'd have to be something new. Adding in a 'secure element' so to speak that can never be wiped or edited (not going to happen for older devices).

So Google has what's already in place, linking to user accounts. Sure the idea of multiple purchases and multiple 'installs' doesn't sound appealing, but purchased apps are forever tied to your account. And the high HIGH majority of time multiple accounts will be getting used, I believe, are a TEMPORARY arrangement. The kids who use our tablets/phones grow up and get their own as we have gotten our own. And couples who share devices very likely will end up with separate devices, because as soon as we move on to the next device, the previous device becomes the others primary use device. All the apps they have a license for goes with them to their device.

At the end of the day, when I get a new tablet I do not want to re-purchase all my apps. I will always favor apps linked to my account, so no matter if my stuff breaks or I buy new, I still have my apps.
[Nexus 7 General] bubbleguuum:
This is maybe the best solution as far as ease of use is concerned. Although it would be a nightmare for Google to implement without it leading to abuse.

Anything involving a mix of apps tied to 1 account and 1 device = recipe for fun.

The thing is that Google cannot suddenly change the rule 1 purchase tied to 1 Google account, without developer consent and explicit opt-in.

As a developer myself I have mixed feeling about it, even if I understand than in some scenarios it may be desirable that an app is tied to 1 device instead of 1 account.

I do not think this will increase piracy though.
[Nexus 7 General] player911:
I think Google needs to simply allow devs to choose if their app is multiuser or not.

Realistically we all have our own tablets in my house and they all have my account in the play store. I haven't experimented but don't they have pins or some security in the play store to lock on the other users?

If I buy a game or app, I want it available on all "my" devices considering all of the tabs are mine that they use.
[Nexus 7 General] veeman:
Just having an option to install to only one user or multiple users when you download an app would probably fix all this.

Sent from my Nexus 7
[Nexus 7 General] ezas:
You get one feature that people want (multi user) and lose another IF you want. Everyone still has the option to use a single login for an app they don't want buy twice. And the vast majority of apps cost less than a drink at Starbucks. You could afford a $200+ device but spending what $10, maybe $20 per person who uses the device? And had been pointed out you are buying the app across multiple devices. For some it's not optimal but how much in life is?

BUT I do think think it should be opt in/out for the Dev.

Sent from my Nexus 7

Clean ROM 2.0 - leankernel .5
[Nexus 7 General] stopher819:
How is this bad for devs? It further promotes the one app/one user paradigm you've always had with phones. Now, instead of several people sponging off of one purchase, the dev is properly compensated. It doesn't promote piracy, it promotes sales. For those of you expecting more of a PC model, try to remember that the pricing structure is radically different to compensate. $2 versus $50. Hell, buying 4 copies you still come out ahead. Be careful what you wish for. The last thing I want to see is full software cost migrating over to the tablet. It may not be what you want, but it's what's best and it's what's right.
[Nexus 7 General] e.mote:
Some mentioned the option of having the developer allowing single- or multi-user installs. Preceding this is the matter of compensation. I think most would want to be paid more for allowing multi-user, hence my suggestion of allowing an expansion to the current one-copy-per-user model.

Elaborating on my earlier example, the user would still pay full price (say $5) for the primary license. Thereafter, he can buy additional "auxiliary" licenses (say $1 each). The auxiliary license would only work if there is a primary license of the same app on the same device. Further, he can buy a "family" license (say $5) that allows use for any number of accts on the same device, again providing that the primary license exists on said device.

This avoids per-device licensing, as it's a much simpler matter to detect the primary license on the device than to determine if the device is legit. It also avoids the hassle of transferring licensing rights to a different device, and the need to maintain a device database per user. Per-device is a hassle for both the user and the dev.

Again, I also would opt for a restricted-mode for the primary account, to allow for kids and the occasional 3rd-party use. It would be helpful for this feature to be built into the OS, as there are already apps that do this.

Of course, all this would work best if managed by Google.

BTW, I noted from the poll that about half the users chose the "don't share" option. Perhaps the poll would be more relevant if it were couched for a larger and more expensive tablet, say the N10. Admittedly, the N7 is still a more personal device than a family device.
[Nexus 7 General] afrojoc:
Isn't a super easy bypass to this just adding your gmail in the market on the other user account so you can download using your account? ..
[Nexus 7 General] rootbrain:
Yes, this seems stupid to me. If you get a Nexus 4, are you going to share it with your family? No way, they each have their own. A tablet yes, but to have to purchase the same apps multiple times, or just not use them, or share "userids", then what's the point? So, is there going to be an Android 4.2 for phones and a separate 4.2 for tablets? Think.

Plus, with the file structure changes because of the multi users "security", there are many apps that won't even work unless installed by each user of the device.

Google, do you even talk to people are are you just letting your devs do whatever they want?
[Nexus 7 General] SoonerLater:
Google Fumbled -- Opportunity for a Shrew Developer

Ok... so Google has managed to disappoint nearly everyone of us. But I wonder if a shrewd developer can find an opportunity here.

So I won't use Google's multi-user option in 4.2, but if a developer lets me have "security profiles" where (1) all my apps are available to me; (2) my chosen subset of apps are available to my "wife" sub-user; (3) my chosen subset of apps are available to my "kid" sub-user... I'd pay for that. Yes, it would not let my kids have separate home pages and their own game high scores -- but I don't give a sh** about that. I just want privacy. I want a one-click solution when I pass my tablet to my wife or kid. If someone gives me that, I'll gladly pay $10.00... maybe more.
[Nexus 7 General] haloimplant:
I will buck the trend and say that I can see why Google would go this way.

They already allow a user to have their apps on multiple devices (note that a typical machine license for pc software does not allow this). Now with adding support for multiple users on one device, they had to decide: do the app licences stay user-based or move to device-based?

As much as we might want it, we can't have it both ways. If simply adding a user to a device gave you all their apps, you wouldn't even need piracy! Only one person in a group of people with would need to buy anything. I know we all l like getting free/cheap stuff but that's just not good business.
[Nexus 7 General] gogol:
This^^

" ... They [Google] already allow a user to have their apps on multiple devices ..."

I cannot see any reason that user may not install multiple copies in a single device, because it's a piracy.

How is that logical? I said it earlier, even with 1 app, 1 user, and 1 device ... The user can still share the device to other users!

Whether the app is installed once or multiple times in the same device, the device itself is still share-able.

My wife, my kids, they borrow my tablet, they play the game that I install. Whether that game is installed once or multiple times in that same tablet, that does not matter. That tablet is share-able.

I just don't understand the reasoning of this piracy thing for installing multiple times on the same device, because the end-result is the same: multiple users are able to use that same device, no matter what! Those multiple users are able to use that device, play that game, use that app in the past, nowadays, and in the future.

Got my point?
[Nexus 7 General] CrazyPeter:
I really don't understand the problem.

Either apps are locked to USERS (Google Play Account) or DEVICES, and Google (and Apple, and Microsoft) all chose to lock to Users.

Are you really suggesting that you want it to be locked to a device that all local users of that device can use, but the next device you buy, you have to buy all your apps again?

Nothing has changed, I wish people would stop making out it has. Seems now Google have multi-user sign in, people want Google to give them BOTH, which clearly isn't going to happen.
[Nexus 7 General] Kearkan:
This goes back to the old issues of sharing games and movies etc, which technically, is not legal, but no one's going to chase you down for lending your friend your halo 4 disk try it.

What I'm trying to say is there's nothing wrong with a system that is well within Google and devs rights.

Really, as annoying as the system is, there's nothing happening that is technically ripping anyone off. When you buy an app, you buy it for your account.
[Nexus 7 General] Idan73:
Such a B's about nothing. System is fine as it is now. No it does not promote piracy and yes several users in this thread have stumbled onto right way to use multiuser accounts without problems.
[Nexus 7 General] ExploreMN:
Wow...what on earth did you guys expect with multiple user profiles? Seriously? The way app licensing works its tied to the email account tied to the Play store. I would have been shocked had it NOT been this way.
[Nexus 7 General] Idan73:
Some jokers think that it's easier for my wife and my daughter to go to warez site, find what they want, click the link that takes them to wait site with capcha, type, and sometimes get failed link, rinse and repeat, sideloaded the app and do over every time new version is released, as opposed to adding my account give my daughter apps I originally bought for her, take off syncing everything and after downloading stuff for her switch back to her no credit card account.

Code protected my account anyways.

One time setup and switch and switch back in play store account selection if I decide to get something else.

Even if I had to add the account and remove it right after it would be easier, but I got nothing to hide. :D

They decide to limit me to 5 devices with crappy procedure of removing and re registering like some suggest and warez become more appealing.

Even Google Music 10 devices limit sucks big as I found out several times, being semi compulsive flasher, with id changing after every flash.
[Nexus 7 General] rmm200:
Having used multi-user for a few days now, I have to say I am very satisfied with the implementation.

Developers got every penny out of me they would ever get, all my daughter's games are available on her ID,

and she has no access to my GMail or other accounts.

Perfect world from my point of view.
[Nexus 7 General] SwiftLegend:
Maybe I'm just dense, but I don't really understand how this exactly promotes piracy. If I already OWN the app, then I think I should be allowed to transfer it to other accounts on my tablet, even if that involves me using a "warez" since I already paid for it.

I mean by this logic, wouldn't pulling the app from /system or /data to install it on another user account be considered 'piracy'? I just don't see how it can be called that.

I see it the same why with downloading copies of games/movies/cds. If I already own and paid for a physical copy, then I should have full rights to download a digital copy, no matter the means.
[Nexus 7 General] ExploreMN:
Maybe you would be honest, but in the real world being able to tie an app to multiple accounts would lead to abuse. I think people need to stop crying...I mean hell, imagine if app licensing were like PC licenses and you could only install the app on one device! The current licensing is amazing when you think about it.
[Nexus 7 General] gr8hairy1:
I don't see anyway 'any' form of device licensing could work.

If you let every user on a device share apps, when they get their own device, all they need to do is have the account with the paid apps sign in on theirs. That account can then be password protected so no fear of security issues.

That is the piracy issue. That would make it unnecessary for people of the same household to ever buy more than one app.

Sorry OP, good topic, good question, but as it stands, Android 4.2 is just fine as is. Anything different would promote piracy.
[Nexus 7 General] CrazyPeter:
No, just you and other that don't get it...

Android has always been USER licensed, not DEVICE licensed. Nothing has changed... You can't (and shouldn't) have it both ways. That's wrong.
[Nexus 7 General] slimdizzy:
This thread is full of cry babies. If you don't like the way Goggle did something, roll your own ROM with a workaround or STFU. Seriously, you make it sound like your life is ruined that your wife can't play your copy of drawsomething. Pathetic. Give some users an inch I swear.
[Nexus 7 General] ajpettit:
yeah i share the concerns of the op i'd love to be able to leave my tablet out so that friends can choose music to stream or play games or do some browsing. i've set up a second account with a newly made gmail account. apps i've added are a few free games and news apps netflix and amazon music (both with my log in) amazon frightens me as the possibility still exists for someone to purchase music on my behalf. the playstore has no payment details attached so paid apps are out but if i were to buy (for my account) a premium game or app i would have no hesitation to use warez so as the other user account could use it. it's not ideal but i don't see anyway around it.

i enjoy scuba diving and have some charting (maps of the sea) software if im on a dive trip and someone wants to look at the app they will be looking at a cracked version im afraid to say.
[Nexus 7 General] Dorkington:
Mobile apps are cheap. Not worried.
[Nexus 7 General] charlesky:
Just one thing is certain: the only solution that will work is one that is regarded as fair by both sides (developers and consumers). Devs who expect a user to purchase an app several times just so they can lend their tablet to their kids are failing to see that, and so are consumers who want to install the same app for multiple users on multiple devices.

The only licensing concept that really fulfills this is the notion that one licence allows one instance of the app to be run at any one time. This is a common paradigm for PCs, though largely enforced by trust (backed up by the threat that you'll lose the licence if you go posting your serial number online) - attempts to enforce it at run-time through activation schemes and online checks are onerous and often self-defeating and not something I would want to see on Android. One way of partially implementing it might be to allow the user to choose between a per-user and per-device licence when purchasing the app. That would require further work to allow per-device licences to be transfered and some way to verify that the app's been uninstalled from the old device, but this shouldn't be beyond Google's capabilities. If you want to use an app across all your devices, but also want your three kids to have access to it on the family tablet then you're going to have to buy two licences, I think people are going to recognise the fairness in that.

As things stand now it encourages the creation of a new shared Google account to buy apps that's then linked to all the profiles on a tablet in addition to the personal account - this is far worse for developers as that account can easily be used across multiple tablets, with multiple copies of an app potentially running at the same time off the same licence.