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JustGidman's avatar
6 years ago
Solved

Android update breaks Friends iOS crossplay (Oct 2019)

@EA_Blueberry  @EA_Roger  @EA_Arrenai 

Anyone else having trouble playing a 'Friends' match between iOS and Android devices after the recent Android update? (my devices updated around 26 Oct 2019)

Since the update, I receive the following prompt when I try to connect a Friends 'vs' match from my iPad:

We've improved Challenges! Please update your game to the latest version, so you can challenge all your friends.

Thing is, I already am running the latest iPad release (v1.32.11). I checked for updates - nothing there. I went to the App Store - yep, version listed for download is the same as the one installed on my iPad.

Android to Android Friends 'vs' match works perfectly (both Android devices are on v1.34.5).

Does anyone know if PvZH uses the same version structure for iOS and Andoid? (ie; at some point there will be a v1.34.5 version released for iOS). Or do iOS and Android versions have nothing to do with each other?

As a test, I loaded PvZH on a second iPad and the Friends 'vs' match feature worked without a hitch (iPad to iPad). Installation on 2nd iPad receives above error when attempting cross platform play.

Contacted support and jumped through the usual totally unhelpful hoops (recommendations to uninstall/reinstall, links to the generic iOS troubleshooting page...). Eventually reached the conclusion that the Android version update was the likely culprit. They asked me to post on the forums so the moderators can pass on to the devs. Yeeesh. :-/

Please help! My second iPad is probably older than half the PvZH community so it absolutely drags (surprised was even able to install frankly).

iPad to Android is our best play option but at the moment it's dead.

  • Thanks @EIDiabolo - seems to be working for us now as well.

    Looks like iOS caught up to Android and now both are on version 1.34.32

    Version history in App Store says iOS version was updated 2 months ago. Thanks for the heads up @EA_Arrenai @EA_Blueberry :-/

    Given EA doesn't seem worried about keeping the app versions synced (and doesn't care about PvZH crossplay generally), I recommend disabling app updates on your devices to ensure the versions remain compatible.

    On Android:
    1) Go to the PvZH app on the Play Store
    2) Tap the menu button (three dots at top right)
    3) Ensure 'Enable auto update' is NOT ticked

    On iOS:
    1) Open Settings
    2) Tap 'iTunes & App Store'
    3) Under 'Automatic Downloads', ensure 'Updates' is NOT ticked.

    NB: Presume this will keep ALL apps from updating automatically. Of course, you can manually update from the Updates section on the App Store but that's potentially pretty painful depending on how many apps you have and how frequently they update.

    That said, if there isn't an outstanding PvZH update (which seem to be becoming less and less frequent anyway) you can safely just use the 'Update All' button and make the process a lot easier.

    If anyone knows of a way to prevent an individual app from auto-updating on iOS please let us know.

    Tagging others from this thread so everyone knows PvZH crossplay is back.

    @TreyFlamezZ @abc1152370561 @TimODMO @Boondox_Ninja907 @bythehill @Orangetango09 @Ambislo

30 Replies

  • EA_Arrenai's avatar
    EA_Arrenai
    Icon for EA Staff (Retired) rankEA Staff (Retired)
    5 years ago

    Hey there, @TimODMO.

    I don't have an update yet, but I'll update this thread as soon as I do. Thanks for sticking in there.

    Arrenai 🐱


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  • bythehill's avatar
    bythehill
    5 years ago

    For anyone interested that has an android, you can always downgrade your version by downloading from any apk storage website. I've never had issues when doing this; you uninstall the game (making absolutely sure that it is linked to an account otherwise risk losing your progress), download the apk version you want and install it.Yes, your phone will warn you that you shouldn't but there really is no risk.

    [CM edit - Removed third-party link. Please note that EA does not support using APKs, and downloading anything from a source other than the official storefronts could put your device at risk.]

  • Thanks @bythehill - if this works it might bring PvZH back from the dead!

    @EA_Arrenai @EA_Blueberry - I get that EA can't endorse downloading from third party sources but c'mon man! Feels like there's a solution here.

    Surely it would be easy enough for EA to make the official, compatible Android version available via APK download (eg; link in this thread). Or worst case scenario, simply email it directly to anyone who requests it.

    Obviously we're big boys and girls and can assess the risk of third party downloads vs the benefits of continuing to play PvZH. But it also seems like EA could easily fix platform incompatibility and is choosing to disregard a simple solution (and kind of forcing players into a position where they're forced to weigh those risks).

    PS - know you guys are just the messengers so no hate. Please keep fighting the good fight on our behalf.
  • JustGidman's avatar
    JustGidman
    5 years ago

    Sadly it's looking like @Amblslo may have been right.

    It's pushing 8 months since the issue was raised. Around 7 months ago the issue was "on the team's radar" and to be addressed "in the near future".

    As far as I can tell, the fix would be as simple as EA making the compatible Android version available via APK download (could simply put the link in this thread). Seems like @bythehill proved this works.

    The fact that they haven't and haven't explained why they won't is a bit of a finger in the face of those of us asking for help.

    Giving it one last shot before leaving PvZH for dead.

    Though I suppose the lack of an iOS update for at least 8 months is a pretty strong signal that EA left PvZH for dead a while ago.

    Please give us some hope @EA_Arrenai @EA_Blueberry!

  • EIDiabolo's avatar
    EIDiabolo
    5 years ago

    @JustGidman @EA_Arrenai 

    For me and my wife the issue has been fixed quite a long time ago. 

    i don’t remember the exact date but it’s month. And we can play crossplay again without issues. 

  • Thanks @EIDiabolo - seems to be working for us now as well.

    Looks like iOS caught up to Android and now both are on version 1.34.32

    Version history in App Store says iOS version was updated 2 months ago. Thanks for the heads up @EA_Arrenai @EA_Blueberry :-/

    Given EA doesn't seem worried about keeping the app versions synced (and doesn't care about PvZH crossplay generally), I recommend disabling app updates on your devices to ensure the versions remain compatible.

    On Android:
    1) Go to the PvZH app on the Play Store
    2) Tap the menu button (three dots at top right)
    3) Ensure 'Enable auto update' is NOT ticked

    On iOS:
    1) Open Settings
    2) Tap 'iTunes & App Store'
    3) Under 'Automatic Downloads', ensure 'Updates' is NOT ticked.

    NB: Presume this will keep ALL apps from updating automatically. Of course, you can manually update from the Updates section on the App Store but that's potentially pretty painful depending on how many apps you have and how frequently they update.

    That said, if there isn't an outstanding PvZH update (which seem to be becoming less and less frequent anyway) you can safely just use the 'Update All' button and make the process a lot easier.

    If anyone knows of a way to prevent an individual app from auto-updating on iOS please let us know.

    Tagging others from this thread so everyone knows PvZH crossplay is back.

    @TreyFlamezZ @abc1152370561 @TimODMO @Boondox_Ninja907 @bythehill @Orangetango09 @Ambislo

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