Plant Base for Android - Requirements and Device Compatibility

Runs on Android versions 2.2 (Froyo) or later. Tested up to Android 14.

Should work on most Android smartphones and tablets. It is not designed for other types of device such as Android TV or watches.

We have tested many real devices from 3" phones to 10" tablets. However, due to the very wide range of available screen types it is tricky to ensure that everything displays correctly on every device.

Works on Amazon Fire tablets. Installation is the same as Android. Previous versions to Fire OS 5, including the original Kindle Fire, used a carousel style interface and the Plant Base launcher icon appears fuzzy and unsightly although the app works fine. In the past we have supplied special builds for FireOS/Kindle embedding larger icons, please contact us if this is an issue for you. Later models from about 5th generation onwards are no problem.

No internet connection is needed for any for the core functions to work.

Certain Android permissions are needed for the app to work :-

• file system storage access for the database files
• GPS location service, option for plant list records

The plant database files are not supplied as part of the main app installation. They need to be loaded separately - see the installation guide for details. An easy download of these data files is provided by the free Data Support app.

The Data Support app additionally requires full network access permission. This is to enable the function that downloads the database files from our web server.

The data files are quite large and will need space in the built-in storage or SD-card. They are kept in their own directory, named PlantBase. Current minimum requirement is about 375Mb and this will increase if you add more data and pictures. The picture image library occupies most of the space. When updating the database using the Data Support app, the space needed will double because a backup copy is made.