[AC Question]

Hi all,

I've purchased a HOMI Android phone from China

However, I've got a few problems

Mainly I can't connect ot my home WiFi conection - it times out with the Authentication Error message, even though all my other devices connect perfectly!!

Also, (and this may sound like a stupid question), how do I convert any Apps to English (I've changed the language settings to English)

I assume I can add the newest version of Google Play, how can I do that?

Lots of questions, and a purchase I may regret, but I'm sure I can get to the bottom of it

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! You really take your chances with these direct-from-China phones. There's a higher chance of faulty hardware or firmware. They are almost never certified for Google Play, which means the Play Store does not come preinstalled, and is usually not compatible even if you sideload it. The ROM that's installed is often intended for China, so many system names will still be in Chinese.

For your wi-fi issues, check out this guide: http://forums.androidcentral.com/amb...-problems.html

[Golfdriver97]

OP, do you have the Play store on it? From what I understood, many Chinese Android devices did not come with Play or Services.

[Rukbat]

You can't convert the apps to English, unless they're written to use language files, and an English language file is available for the app. You usually just uninstall the app and install an English language version.

As far as wifi, you'd need something like Wireshark to see what the phone is saying when it tries to connect (and the knowledge to understand what you're looking at). As B. Diddy said, you take your chances when you buy those phones, and you bought one that won't connect to wifi. Ylu can try contacting the manufacturer for a replacement, but I've never heard of anyone having any luck contacting those companies. You'll usually get "you must be doing something wrong", "it's not covered under the warranty" or you won't get a response at all.

[Carlo Villa]

Why would you buy a phone from China????
Serious question

[Rukbat]

Supposedly a lot less price (there are "unlocked Note 3"s selling in China for $250 shipped) for the same phone (which it isn't). Some of the Chinese "Note 3"s even have the Samsung logo and the fake leather back. But no 3G or 4G, poor quality parts, poor quality build. But Barnum was an optimist.