Android question

[Hawkmoon]

I have a bubble level app on a Samsung tablet that works well and does exactly what I need. I'd like to get the same app on my cell phone, but it doesn't appear to be available from the Play Store any more.

Is there a simple way to copy a single app from a Samsung tablet to a Samsung smartphone? Something that an Android idiot like me can do, without crashing either device?

[BobR]

I typed bubble level for android into the Play Store and came up with a bunch of apps.


bob

[dogmush]

No.

The play store filters results based on what works on the hardware you are using. If you can't find the same app it's likely it won't work well on your phone.

Your best bet is to search "level" or "bubble level" in the play store on your phone and pick a free one.  You might have to try a couple to find the next one you love.

[bedlamite]

To answer your question, yes you can extract the APK file, and install it on your phone.

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=apk+extractor&c=apps

Your phone had to have the right sensors for a level to work, some don't.

[Hawkmoon]

The play store filters results based on what works on the hardware you are using. If you can't find the same app it's likely it won't work well on your phone.

Your best bet is to search "level" or "bubble level" in the play store on your phone and pick a free one.  You might have to try a couple to find the next one you love.

Already tried several others. They don't cut it.

The tablet with the app I want is on Android 5.11 (Lollipop), and can't be updated beyond that. The phone is on 8.1.0, has more RAM and more storage, so that's not the problem.

[Hawkmoon]

Update -- found out why I can't find it. In addition to the tablet, I have the same app on a cheap, burner phone I keep on my desk for testing apps. No SIM card, so it has never been used as a phone, but it's an okay test bed.

When I fired up the app on the burner phone, it popped up a screen asking me to give it a 5-start rating. When I clicked okay, it took me into the Play Store ... where I discovered that the app is one of the ones I tested this afternoon, except that the current version is an update to what I have installed. And the updated version is just awful in comparison to the original.

So I know I can stop looking. Now I just have to figure out if I'm smart enough to use one of those .APK grabbers to download the app and install it on another device.