Message+ on Palm companion no longer works

[RichieLenny]

I've been using the Verizon Palm as a companion phone for about 3 years now. The battery life is crummy but it's a nice little phone to keep me connected with calls or texts while running instead of bringing along my big Samsung.

Today, Message+ no longer works. I get an error message that it needs to be upgraded, but the Google Play store says the phone is not compatible. So, I can still get phone calls on my main number routed to this but can no longer get my main number texts (or text out). I've tried updating the OS but the version from about 3 years ago is the most recent.

Does anyone know if Verizon has a patch/fix forthcoming? This was pitched as a "stay in touch by phone or text" limited utility phone and until yesterday it was. It would be great to get back that functionality.

Thanks.

[vzw_customer_support]

RichieLenny, I’m glad the Palm has been a useful device to keep you connected when away from your main smartphone. As with a lot of technology, things advance at a rapid pace and some devices eventually do become less compatible as time moves on. The Palm is a retired device, which may not get newer software updates, and new versions of apps may no longer be supported on the device. I have one of the original iPads for example, which no longer can run most Apple apps, so I get where you’re coming from. The device will still work for calls, and on our network, but app developers like Android/Google, do tend to move quickly on and no longer update older devices. I hope this has helped clarify things, and you have a good day, thanks for using VZ. 

-John

[sandthemann]

@vzw_customer_support  - from your OWN FAQ on the application -

What devices are compatible with Verizon Messages (Message+)?

Verizon Messages (Message+) is compatible with:

• Mobile devices running:
  • Android™ 4.2 and newer
  • iOS 7 and newer

The Palm Phone runs Android 8.1, so this response was a deflection. 

[RichieLenny]

@sandthemannthat is my take too. Verizon Message+ says it works with 4.2 and later so the "it's Google's fault" deflection just doesn't cut it. Verizon needs to make good on its web-posted FAQs--or go on record stating that they baited and switched. It's disappointing enough that I'm shopping for alternatives everywhere.

@vzw_customer_supportthe iPad analogy is specious. I have old iOS devices as well. But Apple has been honest and forthcoming about what is and is not compatible--and also doesn't sell things that go obsolete on key sales-pitch functionality in 3-year time horizons. How hard could it be to get YOUR Message+ programmers to update YOUR software to be compatible with an iOS that YOU exclusively sold?

[vzw_customer_support]

We're sorry to read that your device is no longer able to use the Message+ app. Seems like an update may have made the device incompatible. We would suggest contacting our dev team for more details on this issue. You can find contact information on the Play Store under Developer contact. ~Peter

[RichieLenny · Accepted solution]

It's disappointing that Verizon developers (or whoever you use as a developer since Message+ is a Verizon product and the Palm companion is sold as a Verizon product) weren't aware they broke this. For what it's worth, I'm one of many Verizon customers tired of "talk to our other people" answers when I'm paying you as a company for a bundle of services.

In any event, there is a workaround that I found:

System  -> Apps  -> Message+ -> Advanced -> Modify system settings -> Toggle OFF "allow modify system settings" (toggled on was the default) -> Return

Modify system settings should now show "Not allowed"

You may want to put this in your FAQ or troubleshooting inventory to help other customers.