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I just read most of the thread and there are a lot of posts concerning about app piracy on Android where the user buys the app and returns it for a refund after

I just read most of the thread and there are a lot of posts concerning about app piracy on Android where the user buys the app and returns it for a refund after copying the binaries. But interestingly a user on the thread pointed out this... "You can't backup any app on Android. You can set the apk to non-distributable, which won't allow it to be backed up." Others say you can copy the app if you have root access. And I found another thread on the Android Market forums Google. http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=1d4d0b7df8ac88b3&hl=en http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?... Can any other android developer here throw some light on this?

jsz0 16y ago
That is correct. Rooted users can copy whatever they want. I believe some of the popular GUI file management tools like Astro won't allow it even if you're rooted but that's only a minor stumbling point. You can do it via a shell or use one of the utilities that does it automatically.
- SingAlong 16y ago
  So the answer to the question "will i make enough $ on android with the piracy problem?" would be "depends on the number of generous users".
  - orangecat 16y ago
    Sure, just like most other platforms. Pirating apps on the iPhone is trivial as well. His return rate seems high; mine is less than 10%. No idea what my piracy rate is, and I don't really care. Although I would if my app required server resources that I was paying for.
dpcan 16y ago
I don't even think about it. Yes, my apps get a canceled order every day. Sometimes two. But if those people didn't think they could steal my app, they never would have paid for it to begin with so it's not like that's money I wouldn't have made. I won't lie. It sucks, I feel violated and hurt when my apps are returned, but I choose to enjoy the good feeling I get from the sales I do make instead.

jsz0 16y ago

That is correct. Rooted users can copy whatever they want. I believe some of the popular GUI file management tools like Astro won't allow it even if you're rooted but that's only a minor stumbling point. You can do it via a shell or use one of the utilities that does it automatically.

SingAlong 16y ago
So the answer to the question "will i make enough $ on android with the piracy problem?" would be "depends on the number of generous users".
- orangecat 16y ago
  Sure, just like most other platforms. Pirating apps on the iPhone is trivial as well. His return rate seems high; mine is less than 10%. No idea what my piracy rate is, and I don't really care. Although I would if my app required server resources that I was paying for.

dpcan 16y ago

I don't even think about it. Yes, my apps get a canceled order every day. Sometimes two. But if those people didn't think they could steal my app, they never would have paid for it to begin with so it's not like that's money I wouldn't have made. I won't lie. It sucks, I feel violated and hurt when my apps are returned, but I choose to enjoy the good feeling I get from the sales I do make instead.