Likebook Mars (T80D) Bolinda Borrowbox Crashes

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Updated to current version on Playstore.
The library account works on an Android Tablet.
Libby works OK.

Basically after Sign In it should load a Terms & Conditions text.
The Arrowed circle appears and halts in the middle of the screen.

Tapping Agree doesn't work. It always exits with
'Borrowbox has stopped'

The T&C never appear. Reinstall didn't help, that just brought back the initial sign in screen.

Restarting, even after a reboot, just loads the same T&C screen (without the content) and exits. Having Google Framework (GFW) on/off makes no difference.

Libby and Google PlayBooks (both need GFW), Kindle App and default browser work. Though most apps don't see the SD card.

Anyone else use it?

Our library uses Libby only for Magazines and Newspapers. Books are on Borrowbox.

A year ago they talked of moving to a different system, but that hasn't happened yet.

[ottischwenk]

What Android version do you have on Mars?

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Thanks.

It's
Android 8.1.0
Kernel 4.4.103
BYRead-V3.1.1-2021081711

Borrowbox was last used just over a year ago. I had to go to Web and both renew library account (Local library) and set a new PIN, hence the new sign-in

EDIT:
My phone that stays in library for 2FA (mostly SMS) is Android 7.0 and Kernel 3.18 and last patch 5 Jan 2019.
Borrowbox on same Library account is working on it, but it didn't sign itself out because not used since Library renewed.

It's up-to-date on updates.

My 11″ tablet was a new sign-in. It's Android 13.

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Also I see arrogant Google has somehow applied the "remove permissions if app not used" system which wasn't on the tablet before. A pest of a system.

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The 7.8″ T80D Boyue Likebook Mars was bought mainly to access my local library during Lockdown. Came with Android 8.0 and had some OTA upgrades. Only non-Playstore app or SW added was KOreader direct from Git using the native browser.

Now that Bolinda Borrowbox crashes on the first screen after Sign In, it's pointless for me. The app is fine on Android 7.0 phone and on the new NxtPaper 11 tablet (Android 13). I use phone for MP3s / Audio books and Sage for real PD or bought eBooks.
Neither Kindle nor Kobo works with any Library in Ireland for ebooks. They all use Borrowbox for ebooks and audiobooks (hence Borrowbox on the phones!). Libby is used for Comics, Magazines and newspapers which better suit a 10″ plus screen.

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Looks like a Mars issue unless specific to Android 8.0 version.
EDIT: Mars is 8.1, the working tablet is Android 8.1 Go

Tested Borrowbox on Android 7.0 phone (OK) and now on a Juno10 Android 8.1.0 (with Nova Launcher as I hate the Go Search bar on the Home Screen). Works fine on the Juno10 Android 8.1.0 (security patch 5th May 2020), which is a seriously budget tablet sold in local Tesco with semi-fake RCA branding.

It's baffling.

[ottischwenk]

Hmmm

BorrowBox Library
Bolinda digital
....
Diese App ist für keines deiner Gerät verfügbar

Im living in Austria - EU (41 registered devices)

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Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Hmmm
Im living in Austria - EU (41 registered devices)

I remember you live in Austria. Ireland is also in EU, though claims to be Neutral, it's simply custom not in the law or constitution. But this did work and either it's the updated Borrowbox is incompatible with the Mars or some other subtle issue. Not being in Ireland or the County Library. I added the Android 8.1 tablet Borrowbox and sign-in on same library afterwards.

Everything that Bolinda Borrowbox installs on is working except the Mars.
I wondered was the T&C (Terms and Conditions) using the browser and I don't know what the Mars is using. So I added Chrome, checked the default app & link settings, etc, ended app, rebooted, same.
I uninstalled and reinstalled again and put in the barcode and pin. Again that was accepted and it failed to load the T&C text and halted: "This application has stopped".

All the other apps still work, inc Google Play Books, Kobo, Kindle, Chrome, etc.

Borrow books works with fresh sign in on Android 7.0 phone and Android 8.1 Go Edition 10" tablet.

It's the Terms and Conditions that fails to load so the [ Cancel ] and [ Agree ] buttons are inactive / disabled till that does load. The actual sign-in is accepted.

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Bolinda Tech support are now involved. However they don't seem to understand it's not the account but the newer version of Borrowbox failing to load the body text of the Terms and Conditions.

Is there a site where I can download the apk of earlier versions of Borrowbox?

[ottischwenk]

Sorry

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Earliest I can find is May 2023. It was last used working maybe in late 2022, but some version between then and May might work.
The settings on the working Android 8.1 Tablet don't seem to be able to be copied, by me anyway.

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The good folk at Bolinda are examining this issue. The Borrowbox app works with phone on 7.0, a tablet with a similar Android 8.1 and Android 13. Other internet using apps work on the Mars inc Google playstore Books. It did work in 2022.

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It seems that part of the Borrowbox needs "full screen"

If an app "stops" / "exits" / "crashes" press on App icon and select "Start Full Screen"

Press back on Nav/Status bar.

EDIT:
The app must not be on the task list or you can't change the App Preferences by holding a finger on the icon.

[Lanark1982]

Meebook P78 now crashes with Borrowbox for me too (using which was the main reason I bought it in the first place). Any new borrow looks like it loads, gets to "counting pages" and then hangs interminably . I hadn't used BB since the start of January, but I suspect this has happened since the latest firmware was loaded. But now even a factory reset doesn't solve the problem.

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Close the BB app.
Press on app icon and go to Application Optimisation
Select Start full screen.
You can also enable the other settings or not, but not Regal (that does no greys)..
They are working on it.