Question 517 of 1,020

Mobile Device Application Support →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Android Phone Cannot Install App from Google Play Store

This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device application support. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A user reports that their Android phone will not install an app from the Google Play Store. The device has plenty of storage space and a strong internet connection. What is the most likely cause of this issue?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

A
The app is not compatible with the device's screen resolution.
Why wrong: While screen resolution can affect display, it typically does not prevent installation; most apps scale to fit.
B
The device's operating system version is too old for the app.
Many apps require a minimum Android version; if the device is outdated, the app will not install.
C
The Google Play Store app needs to be reinstalled.
Why wrong: Reinstalling the Play Store is rarely necessary and would not be the first step for a single app issue.
D
The user is not signed into their Google account.
Why wrong: Being signed into a Google account is required for purchases but not for installing free apps, and the scenario does not mention a sign-in prompt.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is that the device’s operating system version is too old for the app. This is the most likely cause because app developers set minimum OS requirements in the Google Play Store, and if the Android phone cannot install an app from the Google Play Store, the store itself will block the download or display an incompatibility message, even when storage and internet are fine. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between hardware issues (like low storage) and software compatibility problems, a common trap where candidates overlook OS version checks. A helpful memory tip is to think “OS before storage”—always verify the Android version first when an app fails to install, as developers rarely support older releases.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

The device's operating system version is too old for the app.

The most likely cause is that the device's operating system version is too old for the app. Android apps specify a minimum API level (minSdkVersion) in their manifest; if the device runs an older OS version below that threshold, Google Play Store will block the installation and display an incompatibility message. Since the user has plenty of storage and a strong connection, the OS version is the primary remaining constraint.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
The app is not compatible with the device's screen resolution.
Why it's wrong here
While screen resolution can affect display, it typically does not prevent installation; most apps scale to fit.
✓
The device's operating system version is too old for the app.
Why this is correct
Many apps require a minimum Android version; if the device is outdated, the app will not install.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The Google Play Store app needs to be reinstalled.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the Play Store is rarely necessary and would not be the first step for a single app issue.
✗
The user is not signed into their Google account.
Why it's wrong here
Being signed into a Google account is required for purchases but not for installing free apps, and the scenario does not mention a sign-in prompt.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that storage or connectivity are the only blockers, but the trap here is that OS version compatibility is a silent filter enforced by the Play Store's server-side logic, not a client-side error message.

Trap categories for this question

Scenario analysis trap
Being signed into a Google account is required for purchases but not for installing free apps, and the scenario does not mention a sign-in prompt.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the hood, the Google Play Store checks the device's Build.VERSION.SDK_INT against the app's minSdkVersion and targetSdkVersion declared in the AndroidManifest.xml. If the device's API level is lower than minSdkVersion, the Play Store API returns a 403 error or hides the app entirely. This is enforced by the Google Play Developer Console's 'Device Catalog' which filters devices by OS version, screen density, and hardware features. A real-world scenario: an app targeting API 26 (Android 8.0) will not install on a device running Android 6.0 (API 23) even if storage and network are fine.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Related 220-1201 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.

Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.

Mobile Device Accessories practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.

Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.

Mobile Device Application Support practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.

Network Protocols practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.

TCP & UDP Ports practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.

Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.

Network Services practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.

Network Configuration Concepts practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.

Common Networking Hardware practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.

IP Addressing practice questions

Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.

Practice this exam

Start a free 220-1201 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

220-1201 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1201 question test?

Mobile Device Application Support — This question tests Mobile Device Application Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The device's operating system version is too old for the app. — The most likely cause is that the device's operating system version is too old for the app. Android apps specify a minimum API level (minSdkVersion) in their manifest; if the device runs an older OS version below that threshold, Google Play Store will block the installation and display an incompatibility message. Since the user has plenty of storage and a strong connection, the OS version is the primary remaining constraint.

What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Keep practising

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.