Ask LH: Can I Buy Android Apps Without An Android Phone?


Dear Lifehacker, My mobile phone contract expires in a few months and I’m planning on upgrading to a phone running Android. I was wondering if there is any way to take advantage of the Android app deals you post without already having an Android phone. I’m wondering if there is any way around the “There are no Android phones associated with this account” problem on the Android Market? Thanks, Anticipating Android

Dear AA,

This is a tricky one. As you note, if you don’t have an Android handset associated with your account, the Android Market (or, as we now apparently have to call it, Google Play) doesn’t let you buy or download apps. I can’t think of a really easy way around this (if readers know different, please advise), but there are a couple of out-there suggestions.

Use someone else’s phone. Google keeps track of every device you’ve ever used with your account, whether or not it is currently active. My own account lists dozens of phones that I have tested, even though I have performed a factory restore on most of them and then returned them to the manufacturer. What this means in practice is that if you can persuade a friend with an Android device to let you set up your account on their temporarily (before wiping the device and then putting their details back in), you’ll have an option. You’ll need a generous-minded friend, especially if they’ve done a lot of customisation, but it’s a possibility.

Buy a cheap prepaid handset. As we’ve mentioned before, one of the advantages of Android is that there are very cheap handsets out there. You can easily get a device for under $100 before your contract expires. You’d have to save an awful lot on apps to make that a worthwhile move, but if you’re happy to pass that handset on to a friend or relative once you do shift, it’s a possible strategy.

That said, I’d just wait. App deals constantly appear and recur; you might miss some now, but there’ll always be other options. And since a huge proportion of the Android app space is free apps anyway, you’ll have plenty of app choices without needing to break the bank.

Cheers
Lifehacker

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