There is a blurred line between Android tablets and phones. While there are a few Android tablet-optimized apps compared to the Apple ecosystem, most phone apps run smoothly on tablets.
In some instances, however, you may get “this app may not be optimized for your device” errors when installing or when updating an app.
What does ‘apps not optimized’ mean? App optimization defines how an app fits into a gadget screen and more importantly, how it launches smoothly on different screen sizes.
In some cases, an app may run smoothly on the phone but be sluggish on a tablet due to screen differences. Yet, an app may work on both platforms seamlessly.
Some of the reasons why you are getting “app is not optimized for your device” errors include:
- Cache on Google Play Store
- Your tablet or phone is running on an older Android version.
- Your phone or tablet may have inferior specs, for example, a less powerful CPU.
- Incompatible screen configuration
How to optimize an Android app for tablet
Fortunately, you can optimize tablets Android app for tablets in different ways:
Solution #1: Force the Google Play Store to stop
Clearing data on Google Play Store – through forcing the app to stop – helps in solving the compatibility issue. To force the Play Store, follow these steps.
- Go to your phone or tablet’s settings
- Select ‘Apps’
- On the ‘Apps’ section, click the “Google Play Store.”
- Select on “Force Stop”
- Finally, Clear data
After forcing the Google Play Store to stop, restart your phone/tablet. Try to download the app again.
Solution #2: Update your Android version
Older Android versions may affect apps’ compatibility. If your Android tablet is running on an older version such as Android 4.4 and below, you should update it.
To update your Android version:
- Open ‘Settings’ on your phone or tablet
- Select “About Phone”
- Tap on “Check Updates”
- If there are updates, tap ‘Install.’
- After installation, restart your tablet or phone
After the installation of a new Android version, you should be able to download any app on the Play Store. If not, consider Solution #3 below.
Solution #3: Remove and (then) add your Google Account
Removing and (then) adding your Google Account back solves the app compatibility error on Android tablets.
Adding the account back helps Google to identify your device correctly and therefore, to make apps optimized for tablets available on your device.
To remove Google Account:
- Go to your Settings app on your device
- On ‘Accounts,’ select account
- Select “Remove Account”
After removing your account, restart your device. Add your Google account through this process:
- On your device, go to Settings Account
- Select “Add Account”
- Depending on your device instructions, add your main account.
After adding your account, you should be able to download any app. If you are still getting compatibility errors, you should consider updating your Android version.
Fixed the app not optimized error?
With the three solutions, you should be able to fix the app not optimized error and install any Android app on your Android tablet /phone.
While most updated apps can run on older Android versions, the apps may be sluggish on phones and tablets with obsolete specs. If you cannot update your phone or tablet’s OS, consider investing in a new one.
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