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How to Enable Google Play App on Onyx Boox eReaders (Video)

March 19, 2019 by Nathan

Onyx Android

Onyx’s ebook readers run Android 6.0 and have the ability to install apps from Google Play, but by default the Play Store app does not show up on Onyx’s ereaders until you enable it from the settings menu.

However, enabling the app isn’t enough because it will just give an error message about the device not being Play Protect certified.

You have to use a workaround to get the Google Play app to function properly.

It’s actually really easy and it only takes a few taps to get the Play Store app up and running.

Here’s how it works (note that these directions are for the newer 2.0 software version, not the older firmware):

How to Activate Google Play

  1. Go to Settings > Application > Enable Google Play.
  2. After enabling Google Play tap where it says GSF ID.
  3. Sign in to your Google account.
  4. Reboot for good measure and then install apps!

Onyx has a YouTube video showing how to active the Google Play Store on Onyx devices but for some odd reason the video is unlisted so it’s not exactly easy to find.

How to Activate Google Play

Filed Under: Android, How To Tagged With: onyx boox

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mukesh says

    March 23, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    Mine is not working even after all the steps in the video and on this article

  2. Jeremie says

    April 19, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    I got it to work… You follow the steps listed. Then I rebooted. Then I went to the Google settings, and store was not signed in. Signed in, and am able to access my apps.

  3. Davia says

    April 23, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    My Nova pro doesn’t look the same as the ones I’ve seen. Doesn’t come with the Chinese default apps and store. Everything was in Russian and from Russia. Google play won’t work and it can’t get access to look for updates. WiFi is on and working. Can’t find GSF ID anywhere.

    • Nathan says

      April 24, 2019 at 6:17 am

      Have you tried updating the software manually?

      • Lorraine says

        August 30, 2019 at 2:25 pm

        Hello, Nathan. How do you manually update the software?

        • Nathan says

          August 30, 2019 at 3:39 pm

          There’s a link on their support page where it says Check “how to update” here.

  4. Penny Zhu says

    November 22, 2019 at 8:59 am

    I just bought a boox note2 and tried to follow the instruction. It said to wait 10 min and restart then it should be done. I did it but still can not access google play.

    • Nathan says

      November 22, 2019 at 9:57 am

      Sometimes it can take a few hours, or days in some cases.

      • Ricardo Del Pilar says

        August 27, 2021 at 3:25 pm

        I just got my onyx darwin 7 and the option for Google play is no on the device. I try to go the settings like they said here . But that option is not on my device. What can I do ?

        • Nathan says

          August 27, 2021 at 4:18 pm

          It might not have that option. The Russian models have different features.

  5. Mike says

    November 28, 2019 at 12:50 pm

    Pathetic. I am fairly close to returning my Boox Note Pro 2.
    I can’t even sign into google play store since I get the Device is not play protect certified message.

    • Nathan says

      November 28, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      E Ink devices cannot be certified for a number of reasons but people still insist on having Google Play installed so you have to deal with some initial setup annoyances if you want to use it. Patience is required. I always disable it because there aren’t any paid apps I want to use on an E Ink device anyway, and free apps are easy to install without it.

  6. I'm Reading Moby-Dick says

    November 29, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    fyi – The video is now unavailabe.

  7. Emilio Espinosa says

    November 27, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    It worked on my brand new Nova 3. It was kind of disappointing because I chose this brand for using Android 10.

    Thanks

  8. Valentin says

    December 20, 2020 at 4:44 am

    I have a new Boox Nova 3. I got the Andorid ID registered and also downloaded Play Store and got signed in. But when I click on install the apps, it will not happen anything, even if I wait for hours. Any tips here?

    • Nathan says

      December 20, 2020 at 8:13 am

      Sorry but you’ll have to contact Onyx. I don’t use Google Play because of reasons like this—it’s too much of a hassle on E Ink devices because they aren’t properly supported and never will be.

  9. Chris says

    January 5, 2021 at 9:26 am

    No Luck with my new Poke 3. Followed all the steps but still can’t access Google play.

    Wish I hadn’t bought this ereader

    • Nathan says

      January 6, 2021 at 7:38 am

      Why don’t you just sideload apps? Google Play is more trouble than it’s worth.

  10. Marta says

    February 2, 2021 at 4:02 am

    Tengo el box nova3 , no puedo entrar en mi cuenta de Google por el play protector, que puedo hacer?

  11. Rebecca says

    May 9, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    Thanks! I followed your directions, restarted my Nova 3 and voila! Scribd books back in readable format (after downloading app from Google play)

  12. Tim Mead says

    June 29, 2021 at 8:04 am

    For all those who tell us not to use Google Play store – please fill in the blanks about what to use instead (and how). Some links or pointers would be gratefully received ?

    • Andy says

      October 22, 2021 at 2:52 am

      Hi – I have a new Nova 3 and am having the same trouble as you all however in response to your question I have summarised two methods for you :-
      Solution 1:
      1] Switch Boox on, connect to Wifi and login in to Google on Boox
      2] Go to the play store on a PC (or other device)
      3] Find app you want (to load on your Boox) and click install
      4] There then should be a list of devices that you can install on – select your Boox
      5] It will download to Boox and appear minutes later.

      Solution 2: Sideload
      1] Find APK of app you want to use … or
      2] If you have the app loaded on your phone you could use an app like Astro to back your own apk up to your phone backup folder
      3] Send this apk to a PC by USB cable or GDrive
      4] Connect your Boox to PC using USB cable
      5] You may have to switch USB debugging mode on (Settings – Applications .. top of screen)
      6] Copy APK from PC to Boox download folder
      7] Open storage on Boox
      8] Find APK and click on it
      9] Opens dialog with option to install so install

      Hope the above acts as a guide for you ..

  13. Gunnar Steiner says

    November 10, 2021 at 9:08 am

    I got an Onyx Poke 3 and had the same problem with Play Store. I followed several guides (all explaining the same steps), but without any luck. After several hours (actually next day) I reset the device to factory default. I then started again from scratch selecting ENGLISH (US) language – not my local Danish language! I then followed the steps again and all worked!

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