Your Device Isnt Compatible With This Item – Nook Color Error
Solving the Error – Your Device Isnt Compatible With This Item
“Your Device Isnt Compatible With This Item” is just about the most frustrating error I’ve seen on my Nook Color, mostly because it’s so vague. If you want to skip to the solution and avoid the history, I’ve published it here. Read on for how I tracked down the issue and solved it. [EDIT: If you're running your Nook Color off a microSD card, these directions might not work. I am currently exploring why and expect to post another fix asap. Leave a comment on this post so I can let you know when it's ready.]
Your Device Isnt Compatible With This Item - Solved
I found plenty of people claiming the “Your Device Isnt Compatible With This Item” error related to recent changes at the Android Market and a screen resolution check, but their solutions involved programs that were unavailable or received the same error I was trying to solve. I didn’t want an ADB solution as that is out of the reach of many users, or at least more complicated than they want.
When you go to a number of apps in the Android Market you receive the error ”Your Device Isnt Compatible With This Item.” I found it on apps that were already installed on my phones and even apps that were installed on my Nook Color previously. Astro File Manager was a particular one, and the one I’ve offered as my example in the solution.
Once I discovered that the error related to a need for changing the resolution, I felt I was in the clear. The Nook Color default resolution, at least when running CyanogenMod, is 161. The Android Market seems to reject non-standard resolutions for your device type, and in this case it wanted a resolution of 160.
The next challenge was finding a compatible app in the Android Market that would allow me to mount the system directory as read / write and change file permissions for build.prop. After a number of tries, I found File Expert was compatible and worked fine. I then tried a few different text editors until I settled on Text Edit. Links to both of these are in the solution. I have to give some credit to the blog post that helped me out with the app selection.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the “Your Device Isnt Compatible With This Item” error is showing up for other devices, especially those that didn’t initially launch with support for the Android Market. If you’ve managed to strong-arm your tablet into market support, try exploring this resolution fix. Though I do expect you’ll need to do some research for what your device resolution should be.
I’m sure I’ll be presented with other challenges on the Nook Color, and that’s quite alright. I still enjoy using it as a tablet and see no reason to replace it. If you’ve bumped into something on yours that is driving you crazy, please contact me and I’ll see if I can help.
Jeremy, I rooted my NC 1.4.1 yesterday and all went smoothly except the error message for incompatibility. Long story, short…….I followed your instructions (very well written and easy to follow) All went well till I got to the first operation screen for “systemâ€. When I push menu>more
I dont have a “mount” option. My first option is “settings” Now I’m just kinda stuck. I downloaded the same programs you referred. Any suggestions for another path to permissions or another file program? Thank you. Cassie
Cassie,
Glad you found the instructions easy. Is your Nook Color having issues with root? When you open File Expert, does it prompt you for SuperUser permission?
No it doiesn’t. I have S U permission.
Are you able to mount other folders or files as read/write? For example, the SD Card?
Um…………how do u do that, she says with a big cheezy newbie grin?
Rather than try and do this via comments, I wrote an email to the address your provided. Once we have a solution, we can come back and post it here.
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for the solution, I follow the same instructions, but when I do “mount as read and write” It gives error “mount failed”. Can you help me how to resolve this?
Thanks for your help
Regards
Dax
Are you using the SDcard method of running Cyanogen on your Nook Color? It appears that my directions don’t work for that. I’ve committed to figuring out an alternative but haven’t gotten to it yet.
Update: It appears that I’ve found an alternative fix and I am currently testing it. Once I have something worked out, I’ll post it.
[...] all started because I had written a post on how to fix the “Your Device Isn’t Compatible With This Item” error that was [...]
Having same problem with s d. No mount. Option can’t wait for your solution
I’m honestly out of options for handling this. There seem to be some variables that I’m missing between my Nook Color and those belonging to people that are having luck with some of the suggestions.
i also has an issue with the file explorer app you suggested and also with the text editor, some how it wasn’t working. so i used es file explorer, its a free app, and inside options you can enable root access and systems folder writing. then i browsed to the system folder and opened the file with the built-in editor from es file explorer. made the change and rebooted. also as a side note i didn’t even need to clear the data from the app.
This is great! Thanks, Pedro!
I am so confused…just purchased nook color for my daughter and 2 sons. No problems with 2 of the nooks, but one nook is telling me an app is not compatible when it works on the other 2 nooks?! Help!
Make sure that all 3 are running the same, and most up-to-date version of the Nook software.
Yes, i checked.
Then I am not really sure what to say. You might try restoring the “odd” one back to factory settings and starting over.