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How To: Fix Google Play services ‘Wrong Architecture’ error on Meizu MX5

Yash GargJuly 24, 2015

Like any other phone meant to be sold in China, the Meizu MX5 doesn’t come with Google Play Services installed. This means there’s no Google Play to download apps and other stuff, which can be a bit of a problem for international users.

Which is why, Chinese resellers usually ship the MX5 (among other phones) with Google Play Services side-loaded. On the MX5 though, it can be a bit of a problem because the phone has a 64-bit CPU in the MediaTek Helio X10 while the Google Play Services that the resellers install are for 32-bit phones. If you, like me, faced the problem of Google Play Services returning the ‘wrong architecture’ error, here’s how to fix it.

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You simply need to install the right Google Play Services version for your phone, which in the case of the Meizu MX5 is arm64-v8a. If your MX5 doesn’t already have Google Play Services, head over to the AppCenter and download ‘Google Installer’, which will install the required services for you. Next, we need to replace the services with the right version, which can be downloaded from APK Mirror. Voilà! You’re ready to go about installing whatever apps you like now.

Disclaimer: The download is via a third party server and we assume no responsibility if the APK file corrupts your device.

The latest Meizu is quite an impressive device for the money, especially if you’re in China. If you aren’t, you can get one from CooliCool for US$339.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author
Yash Garg
Yash is a blogger by profession, builder of things by passion and foodie by birth. You'll usually find him talking about technology, music, travel and the game of cricket on the streets of Pune when not busy writing or speeding his way through the country! Read more on retro handheld gaming on RETRO91

You can learn more about Yash, add him to your Google+ circles or follow him on Twitter to stay connected!

The Special Juan
July 24, 2015
good to know….waiting for mine to be delivered. I Paid a whole US$1.99 from Fast card tech to install the play store….seems like money down the drain!
- balcobomber25
  July 25, 2015
  If they do it correctly and it works its not bad. Some shops charge as much $5 to install it.

The Special Juan
July 24, 2015
good to know….waiting for mine to be delivered. I Paid a whole US$1.99 from Fast card tech to install the play store….seems like money down the drain!
- balcobomber25
  July 25, 2015
  If they do it correctly and it works its not bad. Some shops charge as much $5 to install it.
MaxPower
July 25, 2015
waiting for more feedbacks about this phone and then I’m pretty ready to buy it.
- balcobomber25
  July 25, 2015
  I have been busy but have had about 8 hours hands on time with it and I love it. Still need to put it through its paces.
  One thing I will say my sister has an iPhone 6 Plus, the MX5 is smaller, lighter and stronger despite the same size screen.
  - Ja Ja
    July 26, 2015
    @balco one question, can we use USB stick via OTG as camera saving path on default camera app?
    - balcobomber25
      July 26, 2015
      I have been using a new OTG USB stick (link below) which completely eliminates the need for an extra cable. It has worked perfectly for everything. I haven’t tried it with the camera app yet, I don’t use the stock camera apps. But I will test it out and let you know.
      - Ja Ja
        July 26, 2015
        Yes, please test.
        Btw. yesterday i bought the phone and the same USB stick like you are, only 32 GB. 🙂
        
        balcobomber25
        July 26, 2015
        The USB stick is awesome. I got the 64 because I found it on sale in a store near my parents house, only paid $20 for it. Otherwise I probably would have got 32 as that is more than big enough for my needs.
        Nicole88
        July 26, 2015
        Will this work with MX5? I ask cause it’s usb 3.0
        balcobomber25
        July 26, 2015
        A USB 3.0 device is backwards compatible so it will work fine on 2.0 it just won’t be as fast.
      - Tener
        July 27, 2015
        Ok, maybe you can’t change this on stock camera app? What about another camera app? Is there some camera app that support change recording path to usb stick?
        balcobomber25
        July 27, 2015
        I am currently using Open Camera and I don’t see any option for that. It’s not something I have ever tried because all my photos get uploaded to Google Plus automatically so I never have an issues with storage.
      - The Special Juan
        September 7, 2015
        Hi BB. Just wondered if you have had any issues with the OTG on your MX5? Mine is very temperamental – For example, when trying to transfer a video or documents, I receive the message “Disconnecting external storage”. Very frustrating! I have posted a response on the Meizu EU forum yet have received no advice on how to fix.
        
        balcobomber25
        September 7, 2015
        No I have been using two actually, a Sansdisk 16GB one and a Toshiba 64GB one and have had no issues with either.
Said AlRamdhani
July 25, 2015
Thank you for the post, it was very helpful
MaxPower
July 25, 2015
waiting for more feedbacks about this phone and then I’m pretty ready to buy it.
- balcobomber25
  July 25, 2015
  I have been busy but have had about 8 hours hands on time with it and I love it. Still need to put it through its paces.
  One thing I will say my sister has an iPhone 6 Plus, the MX5 is smaller, lighter and stronger despite the same size screen.
- Ja Ja
  July 26, 2015
  @balco one question, can we use USB stick via OTG as camera saving path on default camera app?
- balcobomber25
  July 26, 2015
  I have been using a new OTG USB stick (link below) which completely eliminates the need for an extra cable. It has worked perfectly for everything. I haven’t tried it with the camera app yet, I don’t use the stock camera apps. But I will test it out and let you know.
  http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Android-Smartphone-Tablet-SDDD-064G-G46/dp/B00HR7J3CA
- Ja Ja
  July 26, 2015
  Yes, please test.
  Btw. yesterday i bought the phone and the same USB stick like you are, only 32 GB. 🙂
- balcobomber25
  July 26, 2015
  The USB stick is awesome. I got the 64 because I found it on sale in a store near my parents house, only paid $20 for it. Otherwise I probably would have got 32 as that is more than big enough for my needs.
- Nicole88
  July 26, 2015
  Will this work with MX5? I ask cause it’s usb 3.0
- balcobomber25
  July 26, 2015
  A USB 3.0 device is backwards compatible so it will work fine on 2.0 it just won’t be as fast.
- Tener
  July 27, 2015
  Ok, maybe you can’t change this on stock camera app? What about another camera app? Is there some camera app that support change recording path to usb stick?
- balcobomber25
  July 27, 2015
  I am currently using Open Camera and I don’t see any option for that. It’s not something I have ever tried because all my photos get uploaded to Google Plus automatically so I never have an issues with storage.
- The Special Juan
  September 7, 2015
  Hi BB. Just wondered if you have had any issues with the OTG on your MX5? Mine is very temperamental – For example, when trying to transfer a video or documents, I receive the message “Disconnecting external storage”. Very frustrating! I have posted a response on the Meizu EU forum yet have received no advice on how to fix.
- balcobomber25
  September 8, 2015
  No I have been using two actually, a Sansdisk 16GB one and a Toshiba 64GB one and have had no issues with either.

Ryan
July 25, 2015
Can anyone try and play a video in 60fps in YouTube. It works fine on other devices but wont playback on a Meizu. It defaults to 480p. Does it work on the MX5?
Franc Boo
July 25, 2015
Good to know. Yesterday i bought one piece.
Said AlRamdhani
July 25, 2015
Thank you for the post, it was very helpful
Guest
July 25, 2015
Can anyone try and play a video in 60fps in YouTube. It works fine on other devices but wont playback on a Meizu. It defaults to 480p. Does it work on the MX5?

Chandra Mohan
July 25, 2015
Thank you guys, I am facing this issue in Letv X1 also, I will try and update
Franc Boo
July 25, 2015
Good to know. Yesterday i bought one piece.
Chandra Mohan
July 25, 2015
Thank you guys, I am facing this issue in Letv X1 also, I will try and update
MikusP
July 26, 2015
Hey! Thanks for this post. I was facing the same problem on my Meizu M2 Note. Once you’ve installed the correct Google Play Services for your device, it’s important that you open up the Meizu App Center and disable Auto Update and Auto Download apps, otherwise it will once again replace the updated Google Play Services with an incorrect version