Hello! I understand you're having trouble updating the HITSTER app on an Android 9 phone. Let me make sure I have it right: Is the update not showing at all, or does it fail to install after you try? Also, have you been able to use the HITSTER app on this device before, or is this your first time trying to update it?

This will help me guide you properly.

The update not showing at all

Thanks for confirming that the update just doesn't appear for your Android 9 phone. That helps narrow it down.

From what I know and have seen, HITSTER recently had some compatibility issues with certain Android versions, especially older ones like Android 9. It's possible that the developers have stopped providing updates for devices running Android 9 if the app requires newer system features. One note I found is that "the latest Android update might make this app incompatible with your Android phone" suggesting some versions may no longer receive new updates2.

To move forward, here are some steps you can try:

1. Check Your Google Play Store Settings:
Make sure your Play Store app is updated and that the device is set to receive updates automatically. Sometimes an outdated Play Store app can hide updates.

2. Clear Google Play Store Cache:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store
- Tap Storage > Clear Cache
- Relaunch Play Store and check for the HITSTER update.

3. Manually Search the Google Play Store:
Open Google Play and search directly for HITSTER to see if the update option appears specifically on its page.

4. Consider Reinstalling the App:
Uninstall HITSTER completely and reinstall from the Play Store; sometimes that triggers the latest compatible version to install.

5. Check for Android System Updates:
While Android 9 is relatively old, check if any system updates are available that might improve compatibility.

6. Alternative Possibility:
If HITSTER has dropped support for Android 9, the update might not be available at all for your device, and no action will force it to appear. You might want to review HITSTER’s official FAQ or support channels to confirm device compatibility for current versions3.

If you want, I can help you check those settings in more detail. Could you please confirm if the HITSTER app currently works on your phone at all, or is it just the new update that’s missing?

Are you satisfied with this guidance so far?

the new update is missing

Thank you for the clarification that the new update for HITSTER is missing on your Android 9 phone.

Based on the official information, the HITSTER app requires Android 10.0 or later to run properly and receive updates. This is confirmed on the HITSTER FAQ page which states that the app works with Android phones running version 10.0 or later5. Since your phone runs Android 9, this would explain why the update from October 2023 (and later) is not showing up for you in the Google Play Store. The app's latest versions simply are not compatible with Android 9, hence the update is unavailable for your device.

What this means practically:
- Your current HITSTER app version on Android 9 will likely remain the last supported version for that system.
- You will not receive the newest features or fixes included in updates released after October 2023.
- For the best experience and access to the latest updates, upgrading your phone to a device running Android 10 or above is recommended.

If upgrading the phone is not an immediate option, you could try using HITSTER on another device (e.g., a friend’s phone running Android 10+ or an iPhone) to get the latest app experience.

Would you like me to assist you with checking if there are any alternative ways to get some features from the update on your current device or help you verify your phone’s Android version details?

Are you satisfied with this explanation and the advice so far?

yes assist me with checking if there are any alternative ways to get some features from the update

Thanks for asking about alternative ways to access the new HITSTER update features on your Android 9 device. I looked into options and here’s what I found that could help you enjoy similar experiences despite the compatibility limitation:

1. Web-based Alternative – Webster:
There is an open-source web application called Webster that functions as a web alternative to the HITSTER app. It allows you to scan Hitster cards and play music using either offline or online modes right from a browser. Since it’s a web app, it should work on your Android 9 phone via the browser, bypassing the Play Store compatibility restrictions. You can check it out here: Webster on Codeberg.

2. Create Your Own Cards with Spotify Links:
Some users have created custom game cards by generating QR codes that link to specific songs on Spotify. You can scan these codes manually or use apps that recognize Spotify links to play songs, offering a way to replicate some interactive features from HITSTER. You can generate such QR codes from Spotify links using free online QR code makers.

3. Third-Party Apps Inspired by HITSTER:
There are independent developers working on open-source or similar games inspired by HITSTER, such as “HitStar” on GitHub, which you could try on your device if you feel adventurous (though setups might require some technical skills).

4. Use HITSTER on Another Device:
If you have access to another device running Android 10 or later (or iOS), you might consider using the updated HITSTER experience there for full features.

5. Spotify Integration Alternatives:
HITSTER relies on Spotify streaming for music playback. Some users mention partial feature access by scanning QR codes on physical HITSTER cards directly from their phone to trigger songs via the Spotify app, which you could try even on older devices.

Would you like me to guide you step-by-step in setting up the Webster web app on your phone’s browser or help generate custom Spotify QR codes? This way you can get some of that HITSTER experience without needing the app update.

Are you satisfied with these alternative options so far?

yes help me setting up the Webster web app on my phone's browser

Great! Let’s get you set up with the Webster web app on your Android 9 phone’s browser so you can enjoy HITSTER card scanning and music playback.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Choose a Modern Browser:
Since Webster works through the web, you want to use a browser that supports modern web features. If you don’t already have it, I recommend downloading Google Chrome from the Play Store and setting it as your default browser.

2. Access the Webster Web App:
Open your browser and go to the Webster project page here: https://codeberg.org/derkades/webster
This page is the source, but to use the app fully you may want the direct URL to the live version, which you can get from the page or reach out to the developer community. If it doesn’t have a hosted version, you can still clone or download the project if you are comfortable with web hosting.

3. Scan Your HITSTER Cards:
When you access the Webster app, it should allow you to use your phone's camera to scan HITSTER game cards. Make sure to give the browser permission to access the camera when prompted.

4. Play Music Through Spotify:
Webster integrates with Spotify to play songs linked to the HITSTER cards. Make sure you have the Spotify app installed and logged in with a Premium account on your phone, as HITSTER requires Spotify Premium to control playback.

5. Disable Private/Incognito Mode:
Make sure you are not in private or incognito browsing mode since the web app needs to save some settings and maintain connections.

If you find the direct web app URL isn’t straightforward or if this seems technical, I can assist you with alternate methods like setting up custom QR codes or finding a hosted web version you can open directly.

Please try opening the codeberg link on your phone and let me know if you see options to scan cards or play music, or if you'd like me to help you further with setup details.

Are you satisfied with this setup approach so far?