Thread: Modded 2.1 ROM and Copy Protected Market Apps

This is for anyone who is tearing their hair out trying to figure out why some of their purchased apps are not showing up in the Market after installing the Modded 2.1 ROM on their MotoDroid. After some reading around, i've come up with an answer; unfortunately it seems there is no workaround aside from reverting to the official 2.0.1 ROM.

The problem is this: the Google Nexus is not currently a production device. Since it hasn't been released, it's OS is currently not "whitelisted" by Google. Apparently, copy-protected apps need the specific OS to be on a "whitelist" or the apps won't show up in the market, plain and simple. A search for a copy-protected app will simply show it as not being in the Market at all (meaning you cannot simply repurchase it even if you are that determined to run 2.1)

Apparently this is done to prevent hackers from installing developer ROMs on their devices and extracting the licensing APK files after downloading the app. While I agree that measures like these ARE needed, given the proliferation of sites like rapid.org where downloads of licensed apps can be found; it does present a particularly nasty roadblock to those of us who like to mess with "leaked" OSes.

I only hope that this DRM doesn't affect "cooked" ROMs that are based on officially released OSes (although it shouldn't) - but I could see a potential problem if the DRM does a check to ensure a particular "whitelisted" OS is running on the correct carrier network. For instance, say a nice MotoDroid ROM is cooked based on a hypotherical 2.1 build with Motoblur for a T-Mobile device. I only hope that the DRM scheme doesn't check to make sure this "T-Mobile" based ROM is running on the T-Mobile network.

I don't believe i've heard of this being a problem with 1.5 and 1.6-based ROMs, but this is Android 2.x we're talking about; I only hope the DRM hasn't become stronger.

Interesting, however, I have 2.1 on my Droid and all my apps works.

Yeah I have no problem with any of my purchased files either.

It's a very specific few. There are a few apps where you download the app for free, and then you need to download a license file seperately to unlock features. Touchdown is one, I believe Documents to Go was the other one (of the apps I own). The problem definitely doesn't pertain to purchased apps as a whole, as most of them are not copy protected. You will know which APK files you are going to have difficulties with, the app manager built into Astro will refuse to back them up, and they will be marked 'private'

I am sure I am more prone than most to spot incompatibilities, i've got about 100 apps and games installed ATM.

Touchdown is the biggie, if I had thought of this back when I purchased it, I would have purchased it via Nitrodesk's website and gotten a serial number, rather than a downloadable license.

I know it's not a problem specific to my device or account, as I read about all of this at alldroid.org for the most part.

Then maybe I have no protected apps but all 75+ of mine work fine on 2.1

What do you see as a major improvement running the 2.1? Just asking

Jlevy what are the +'s of running 2.1 over 2.0.1?

Originally Posted by jlevy73

Then maybe I have no protected apps but all 75+ of mine work fine on 2.1

Again (just to clarify for others reading the thread) this problem ONLY happens with copy protected apps. It is NOT a problem per se, it actually means that Google's copy protection mechanism is working. It's just that it COULD present a problem later on with cooked ROMs.

The rest of my apps (the ones I installed before I realized Touchdown License Key wouldn't show up and had to revert to 2.0.1) worked absolutely fine on 2.1 - including games such as Speed Forge 3D

Originally Posted by watkins

Jlevy what are the +'s of running 2.1 over 2.0.1?

I'll answer that one real quick (off the top of my head):

- 5 homescreens now, instead of 3
- new Google news/weather widget
- new App screen; no more app drawer; it's more of a 3D cube (you have to see it to understand)
- OS seems faster overall
- New Gallery app, can automatically sync with Picasa
- Animated wallpapers
- Apparent increase in overall OS stability

Probably a whole lot more I didn't notice, but I really didn't run it all that long.

Originally Posted by Dave12308

I'll answer that one real quick (off the top of my head):

- 5 homescreens now, instead of 3
- new Google news/weather widget
- new App screen; no more app drawer; it's more of a 3D cube (you have to see it to understand)
- OS seems faster overall
- New Gallery app, can automatically sync with Picasa
- Animated wallpapers
- Apparent increase in overall OS stability

Probably a whole lot more I didn't notice, but I really didn't run it all that long.

I have to agree the new app screen you almost can't describe. I think you summed up the new additions. I was able to the get nexus one boot screen on and that looks really cool. The 5 homescreens is a big bonus and I definitely like the new google news weather widget.

Also, I found the radio to be a little better.

Ive been working on installing this ROM and keep getting an error and it tells me to use the terminal emulator on the pc.... hmmmm

It would be nice to get this but tonight Im a little fed up.

Rooting was easy I figured this would be easier...who knew.. mfg:

Originally Posted by bbcrackman

Ive been working on installing this ROM and keep getting an error and it tells me to use the terminal emulator on the pc.... hmmmm

It would be nice to get this but tonight Im a little fed up.

Rooting was easy I figured this would be easier...who knew.. mfg:

Are you using the ROM from alldroid?

Originally Posted by jlevy73

Are you using the ROM from alldroid?

Yes, I think I got it figured out. Must read all the steps first...hahaha

How long does the backup usually take. Mine has been going for about 20 minutes

Originally Posted by bbcrackman

Yes, I think I got it figured out. Must read all the steps first...hahaha

How long does the backup usually take. Mine has been going for about 20 minutes

That sounds about right.

Someone posted a fix to fool the copy protection in the thread I posted at droidforums.net about this issue:

2.1 Users - Reason Why Your Copy-Protected Apps Won't Show Up - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

basically, you change a line in /system/build.prop and the phone thinks it's running Eclair

Originally Posted by Dave12308

Someone posted a fix to fool the copy protection in the thread I posted at droidforums.net about this issue:

2.1 Users - Reason Why Your Copy-Protected Apps Won't Show Up - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

basically, you change a line in /system/build.prop and the phone thinks it's running Eclair

Sure wish someone would hurry up with Eris crack