Android OS was developed by Google and many of the functions and services that run on Android are powered by Google apps. The Google Play Store is where most Android users download apps and it has its own issues with fake and counterfeit apps. Android has had a reputation for being prone to spam and security vulnerabilities for years. To counter this, Google has set out certain requirements that devices must meet in order to use Android. If a device does not meet these requirements, the Android running on it will have limitations. If you are looking for a new Android device, you may want to check whether your Android phone is Google certified or not.
Google Certified Android Phone
It’s ridiculously easy to check if your Android phone is Google certified. Google has published an exhaustive list of certified devices and you can download it . The file can be downloaded in both PDF and CSV format. Google provides instructions on how to use the file.
The devices are listed first by the manufacturer’s name and that of the manufacturer in alphabetical order. Each device is listed under the manufacturer’s name. If you’re not sure what your device name is, you can use the search function in your browser or in Google Sheets or your favorite PDF viewer to find the manufacturer’s name.
If you know the name of your device, you can search for it instead of the manufacturer’s name. If the device is listed, you have a Google certified Android phone.
Non-certified devices
A while ago we posted about how to fix the “Device is not certified by Google” error on an Android device. This error is just one example of the limitations associated with owning and using an uncertified Android device. You may run into other issues, especially with other Google services.
An uncertified device will not suffer in terms of hardware. If the device uses the hardware it claims, it should work fine. Problems only arise when it comes to using Google powered services like the Google Play Store or Google Assistant. If you plan to use services such as Google Pay, you must purchase a device certified by Google. A certified device is the best way to go. It is more secure and in the long run you can avoid unforeseen problems that can occur when using a service that requires a certified device.
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