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FAQ: Distribution

Michael Totschnig edited this page Dec 17, 2023 · 16 revisions

After installing an update from Play Store, the premium key I purchased is no longer recognized.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do to prevent this problem, since it is caused by a Play Store bug, that Google has not been able or willing to fix for half a decade. Usually it happens when there are multiple accounts on the device that have each in the past downloaded the application. In that situation, Play Store does not guarantee which user gets an update for a new version and then you may end up with the app attributed to the user that does not own the purchase, and the license is deactivated. The solution consists in installing the app again from the user account owning the purchase. Unless the problem relates to the professional licenses (sold by subscription), you can also contact support@myexpenses.mobi with the confirmation of your purchase, and we will provide you with a free promo code, that should activate the license on your second account.

I bought the licence key for the version distributed on Play Store/Amazon AppStore/F-Droid, is it transferable to the version distributed on another store?

Unfortunately, generally, it is not, for the following reasons:

  • Google and Amazon do not allow to use payment mechanisms different from their own for selling premium functionality. Thus allowing to activate the key from another app-store on a version downloaded from Play Store or Amazon AppStore would infringe on their policy.
  • The key purchased on Play Store or Amazon AppStore is handled by proprietary libraries that cannot be used on the version distributed on F-Droid, and they would only recognizes purchases, it the app is downloaded from the respective Store, anyway.

Why should I subscribe to the professional licence?

The effort in maintaining this project and supporting its distribution is still only partly funded by the proceeds of the sale of the license keys, the remainder being driven by personal commitment. Increasing the part that is funded allows us to spend more time, pay for more and better external services. One-time payments in the range of a couple of $ or € are only capable of generating serious revenue on a very large user base, which is not achievable without serious expenses for marketing, with the paradox consequence that at first additional resources would need to be put into something of no direct value for the user, and with no guarantee of success either. That is why, we decided to implement a licence model that invites users to contribute on a regular basis, and achieved increased proceeds that are directly invested in the continuous development of the project, thus providing users with a better product.

When trying to validate a licence key on the F-Droid version, I get "Device limit exceeded".

Ideally, when you no longer need a device, or install a new ROM on it, you'd open "Settings", then select "Contribute". There you can click on the key and then on "Remove" in order to unlink the device from the licence. If you no longer can do this and run into the limit of 5 devices, simply contact support@myexpenses.mobi and we will clear the devices from your licence.

Is there a version of this project for iOS/iPhone?

No, and there is no plan to develop one. As an Open Source project, we fit better into the Android ecosystem, which is also based on an Open Source platform.