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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones?

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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 06/05/2024 at 22:09 #156217
Albert
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Today I've been trying to book tickets for an upcoming trip to Scotland. The National Rail website didn't offer me any other option than to book through Lumo, if I chose the LumoFixed fare.

On booking on the Lumo website, I was offered the choice of mobile tickets or pick-up at a station. The mobile tickets, however, appeared out of reach for me and my gf - I am unable to install the app because my phone is not compatible (despite having Android 10, where Android 8 is required) and she is unable to install the app because it's not available in Germany (also Android).

I've fortunately spotted the issue in time and booked tickets to be picked up at King's Cross. But does anybody know more about this app and can tell why it's so problematic on older or foreign phones?

AJP in games
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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 07/05/2024 at 08:15 #156219
postal
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Running Android 10 on a rather old Galaxy A40 and have just installed LumoGo from the Play Store with no problems. App opens and seems to allow all of the expected functionality so doesn't appear to be a generic OS issue.
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 07/05/2024 at 08:26 #156220
jonathanp
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A developer can choose to restrict which markets can download their app, and Lumo has restricted their app to exclude Germany. Why exactly Lumo have chosen to do this only they can answer. My guess is that they don't think it's worth providing translation into foreign languages.

I can't see any obvious reason why the app would be considered incompatible with an Android 10 phone, unless it was an unusual model that lacked ubiquitous features like GPS or WiFi.

Last edited: 07/05/2024 at 08:26 by jonathanp
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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 07/05/2024 at 09:12 #156221
Jan
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There are more than enough foreign apps without a translation available on app stores, though, so that can't really be the reason, either. But still, probably some misguided thinking along the lines of "we only operate in the UK, so why would anybody outside of the UK need the app and who cares about tourists and other non-residents".
Two million people attempt to use Birmingham's magnificent rail network every year, with just over a million of them managing to get further than Smethwick.
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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 07/05/2024 at 12:12 #156226
Peter Bennet
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Perhaps ask Lumo?

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 07/05/2024 at 13:17 #156227
postal
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Peter Bennet in post 156226 said:
Perhaps ask Lumo?

Peter
Download and install the app while in the UK and see if it works at home? Via VPN on phone?

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 07/05/2024 at 13:44 #156228
jonathanp
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That wouldn't help. Each Google account has a region, and the region determines which apps are available, regardless of where the user is physically located.

What I find surprising is that Lumo has electronic ticketing, but offers it only via specific apps. Anyone know what the app actually does? If it just displays a barcode or QR code, there's no reason why that same barcode couldn't be printed out from the website too.

That's how it works in Germany, anyway. The only difference I can think of is that in Germany when using a e-ticket you have to carry an citizen ID card or passport, whereas Britain still insists that there is no need for adults to have any way of identifying themselves, so it would more difficult to check that multiple people haven't got copies of the same ticket.

Last edited: 07/05/2024 at 13:51 by jonathanp
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Lumo mobile app unavailable on many phones? 08/05/2024 at 15:33 #156239
Albert
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jonathanp in post 156220 said:
I can't see any obvious reason why the app would be considered incompatible with an Android 10 phone, unless it was an unusual model that lacked ubiquitous features like GPS or WiFi.
The only thing that I can think of is that it lacks NFC, but I'm not aware of NFC-based tickets in Britain? (Apart from contactless payments through Google/Apple Pay or bank apps on the London transport network.)
The French Bonjour RATP app, which depends on NFC for its ticketing functions, is not marked as incompatible in the Play Store.

I'll contact Lumo to see if they can tell me anything useful.

AJP in games
Last edited: 08/05/2024 at 15:34 by Albert
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