Supported Android versions for Gospel Library

Discussions around the Android version of the Gospel Library application.
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sbradshaw
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Supported Android versions for Gospel Library

#1

Post by sbradshaw »

Availability of Church content is a priority for those who support the Gospel Library app. Unfortunately, as mobile ecosystems change, it's impossible to continually improve the app while supporting older devices indefinitely. As a workaround, the Google Play Store provides old versions of Gospel Library to old devices:
  • If you're on Android 2.2 and up, Google Play will give you Gospel Library 2.6.15. (No longer receiving content updates.)
  • If you're on Android 2.3 and up, Google Play will give you Gospel Library 3.3.4. (Content updates will end at the end of 2017.)
  • If you're on Android 4.0 and up, Google Play will give you Gospel Library 4.2.3. (Content updates will continue for the foreseeable future.)
  • If you're on Android 4.2 and up, Google Play will give you the latest version of Gospel Library (currently 4.3.1). (Content updates will continue for the foreseeable future.)
Only the newest versions of Gospel Library will continue to receive the newest content (new general conferences, magazines, devotionals, curriculum, editions of the scriptures, etc.). This is because the content format changes with major app releases to support new features. (As an analogy, you can think of this as switching content from PowerPoint files to Word files. The new format allows us to do more, but is not compatible with the old app. For a little while, as users transition from the old version of the app to the new, the content team produces both (continuing the analogy) a PowerPoint and a Word file of each content item, but eventually, the old file type is phased out to focus resources on providing more and better content in the new format.)

If your device doesn't support the newest Gospel Library, don't feel obligated to buy a new device. The Church doesn't require members to use the newest technology to study the gospel – Gospel Library is provided as a tool for those who are able to benefit from it. If you are on an older device, you can access the newest content by browsing LDS.org or by downloading PDFs to your device. If you don't have a smart device at all, the Church continues to provide scriptures and other core content in print format.

If you are considering purchasing an Android device to use Gospel Library or other Church apps, check the Android version. I wouldn't recommend any Android version below Android 4.4, which is the minimum supported Android version for new Church apps (like LDS Media Library) and will likely become the minimum supported Android version for Gospel Library and LDS Tools the next time there's a major update. Newer versions of Android beyond 4.4 will provide a smoother experience and will last farther into the future, but will generally cost more. For reference, the current version of Android is Android 8.
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
bookwalk
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Re: Supported Android versions for Gospel Library

#2

Post by bookwalk »

Luckily there is a Windows Phone version of the app for Windows that has all the old features--such as font selection to increase font contrast for those visually challenged, so it DOES mean we need 2 devices if you are visually challenged because going back to the paper editions does not allow enlarging the fonts or changing to the high contrast.

Until you restore the font selection feature in 4.X for Android that you had in the past, we will still HAVE to have 2 devices. Why is it that the Windows version can do this and the Android cannot?????
daniel159
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Re: Supported Android versions for Gospel Library

#3

Post by daniel159 »

I have Android 8. Had Gospel Library and everything worked perfectly untill today. The GL app wouldnot open at all. It just gives me a flick and we don't go anywhere. Uninstalled the app about 4 times, updated the phone, restarted a couple of times (just restart and power off options, tried both) - nothing helps. Still app won't open, just flashes "Moroni" and that is it...
Any suggestions what to do and how to make it work? Thank you!
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sbradshaw
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Re: Supported Android versions for Gospel Library

#4

Post by sbradshaw »

daniel159 wrote:I have Android 8. Had Gospel Library and everything worked perfectly untill today. The GL app wouldnot open at all. It just gives me a flick and we don't go anywhere. Uninstalled the app about 4 times, updated the phone, restarted a couple of times (just restart and power off options, tried both) - nothing helps. Still app won't open, just flashes "Moroni" and that is it...
Any suggestions what to do and how to make it work? Thank you!
Here are some things you can try, if Gospel Library doesn't get past the Moroni splash screen:

• Make sure you have the latest version of Google Play Services installed: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ndroid.gms
• Make sure you're connected to a good internet connection, in case the app is trying but failing to download a content update. If you're not connected to internet at all, the app won't try to get updated content; but you may have trouble if you're in a between state – connected to internet, but the internet is slower than normal.
• Check how much storage space you have remaining on the device. If the device is low on memory, it may be failing to download a content update completely.
• Restart your device. This may help free up some memory, for a faster launch.
• Close all of your open programs by swiping them out of recent apps. This could also help free up some memory.

If none of that works, I'd recommend sending an email to Gospel Library support at the email listed here:
https://tech.lds.org/wiki/Gospel_Library_support
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
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