Moderator's Action
 

For indexing and future search purposes, a recent question whose focus was how to use the Mobile Passport App, as opposed to the recent changes in the functionality of the free version and the "enhancements" offered in the new premium version, was moved to the relevant thread:
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

Honestly, I thought the app was provided by CBP, not a private enterprise (though I suppose I should have realized because it works worked well it wasn't CBP).

Anyway, MPC's development costs should be covered by CBP somehow. It's designed to make immigration more efficient for both sides - users and CBP.

Seems as if that may have changed:

After reading this thread about a day AFTER my Android Mobile Passport app auto-updated I initially became enraged, as any normal person would be. But after having a few drinks in the lounge I calmed down a bit and completely uninstalled the nefarious downgraded "upgraded" application, and downloaded the .apk for the latest non-downgraded version 2.16.1.0 from https://mobile.softpedia.com/apk/mob...port/2.16.1.0/ , and reinstalled that version from the .apk rather than from PlayStore. Then I disabled automatic updates. Android PlayStore now advertises it as installed correctly, with an upgrade available, but auto upgrades are disabled for that app and for the time being it all works fine. I re-scanned my passport and saved a new profile and I used the old version at LAX today same as it always was. I assume this is a temporary fix since at some point I imagine they will disable the older version from the server side but for now anyway, that fixes the problem.

Yes, my app was updated. When I first opened it today, it did not insist on "delete stored data" or "upgrade", but now it does. I think I'll just pay the fee and reconsider in a year. :rolleyes:

In any sort of automation the costs associated with developing that automation should be paid for by the labor that said automation saves. Additionally any type of process automation that transfers onto the consumer, a task that was previously performed in whole or in part by an employee, should also result in cost savings.

Example. Around my town Walmart, Home Depot and some grocery stores have deployed self checkout kiosks, no doubt at a very considerable expense in development and deployment. Would I pay extra to use such a line? Hell no, I would not! But they are often quicker than the cashier lines so I am happy to use them. But the store paid all that, no doubt huge, development and deployment expense, because the automation saves them money in the long run. They wouldn't dare try to charge a customer to use it.

There are a million other examples in private industry where a great amounts of money are spent on automation that is provided free to the consumer simple because automation is labor saving and therefore cost saving.

Except of course in government related endeavors where labor savings would tend to increase costs.

Moderator's Note
 

Folks,

Per the sticky thread, Please Read: Important Information, the Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues forum is informational: "This is the place to ask questions and get information to help you travel safely and with minimal hassle."

Please limit your contributions in this thread to requesting and providing practical information about using the Mobile Passport App.

If you wish to discuss or debate the costs associated with developing automation, or the economics or the business model of the company which developed the app, or comment about governmental efficiency, please start a new thread in the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum or OMNI (access to OMNI is limited to members who have been on FlyerTalk for 180 days and made 180 contributive posts).

TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

As others have pointed out don't update your app of you want to retain the original functionality - as long as you don't mind keeping possible bugs and other issues that have been fixed in later versions.

Generally all uploads not manually deleted by the developer stays on the App and Play stores but users don't have access to them.

It seems like there is an apk of an old version available on some site that someone has uploaded for people to use. That is also an option although I suspect not legal if the uploads are not by the developer.

Anyone know which version number was the last non "Plus" iPhone version?

Never mind. It's Mobile Pass 3.0.2.ipa

My free version is 3.3.0 (276). Works on my iPhone and iPad.

It really depends. MPC and GE share the same line to get to an officer at JFK T1, which just causes frustration for all the GE folks who get to line up once again with their receipts in hand while the MPC folks can walk right up to the officer.

My last two trips home to BOS there has been a dedicated MPC line and the immi officer there just took some of the GE traffic (which zips through anyway) when that bogged down. So zero wait with MPC. I'm not going to update my app but have not re-entered the country since the update so no comment on whether that still works.

From the other MPC thread: