This article introduces some of the most important recent changes to Google Play’s developer policy, which you can also review through the online training camp video.

☟ Online training camp video ☟

  • Tencent Video link: v.qq.com/x/page/w324…
  • Bilibili video link: www.bilibili.com/video/BV11v…

Important Update Reminder

We have updated our policies regarding cash games and competitions to include the following: Countries and territories that allow the distribution of such apps, and new requirements for member feedback activities. Please click on the link below to view the information: Mp.weixin.qq.com/s/PyvCPFegC…

Updates to background location information

In 2020, we published a new location information policy that aims to increase transparency and limit access to location data, especially in the background.

Your application should not request location information in the background unless it is absolutely necessary. Before applying for the permission to obtain background location information, check yourself by asking the following questions:

  • Is this function important to the core purpose of the application?
  • Can your application provide the same experience without getting location information in the background?
  • Does this feature provide obvious value to users?
  • Do users want the application to get their location information in the background?

Here are some tips to help approve your location information permission request:

  • Understand location permission policies. If your application needs to use device location data controlled by location permissions, you may want to know the location permissions policy.
  • Check the background location access permissions checklist to see if your code contains anything that might get location information. Please note that you are also responsible for all data requested and used by third-party SDKS used in your application.
  • Evaluate the requested permissions and look at alternatives to minimize the use of location information. If your application can achieve its purpose without requesting any location data, do not request location permissions.
  • Review in-app disclosure statements to explain to users how your app will use location information. Be sure to display this disclosure statement before triggering functions that require location permissions.
  • Review the Privacy policy and provide a valid link to it. Does your privacy policy comply with Google Play’s user data policy? Please note that you should clearly address the acquisition, use, collection and sharing of location data in your privacy policy.
  • Check your product details to make sure users can reasonably guess that your app will always be using their location data.

As of the first quarter of 2021, we have begun to take action against all apps in the Play Store that violate the new background location access policy.

Android 11 apps

From August 2021, new applications will require:

  • Distribute in Android App Bundle format.
  • Use Play Asset Delivery or Play Feature Delivery to submit resources or features with a download size greater than 150MB. For new applications, extended files (OBBs) are no longer supported.
  • Aim for API level 30 (Android 11) or higher, and adjust for behavior changes.

Starting in November 2021, for existing applications:

  • All updates are targeted at API level 30 or higher and are adjusted for behavioral changes in Android 11.
  • Existing apps that have not received the update will not be affected and users can continue to download from the Play Store.

Settlement Library version 3

Google Play aims to be a healthy ecosystem where developers can build high-quality apps that people love to succeed. Many developers are realizing that using Google Play’s one-time purchase and subscription services will help them succeed.

For this reason, we have launched clearing Library version 3. This version offers new ways for users to make payments, subscription promotions, in-game purchase transaction attribution, and improved shopping reliability and security.

  • From 2 August 2021, all new applications must use clearing Library version 3 or higher.
  • By November 1, 2021, all updates to existing applications must use clearing library version 3 or higher.

New settlement policy announcement

As previously announced, we have updated our settlement policy:

  • Google Play is committed to helping all developers succeed.
  • We want to make it easier for developers to innovate and grow their businesses on Play.
  • Effective July 1, 2021, we will reduce the service fee on the first $1 million of annual revenue to 15 percent.
  • All developers will be eligible for benefits from this change, regardless of their annual income.
  • Of the 99 per cent of developers around the world who generate revenue from Play, fees will be halved.

The policy was updated in April 2021

All file access – effective May 5, 2021

Last July, we announced a partitioned storage requirement for apps targeting Android 11 or later, with the goal of giving users more control over access to the storage space on their devices.

Starting May 5, 2021, developers of apps that require extensive access to files on the device, such as antivirus apps, will have to submit permission requests in the Play Administration.

News apps – effective May 5, 2021

An app that identifies itself as a “News” app in the Google Play Admin center (hereinafter referred to as a “News app “) must meet the following criteria:

  • If an application consists primarily of user-generated content, it may not declare itself as a news application.
  • News apps can use advertising and other monetization tools, as long as their primary purpose is not to sell products, services or generate advertising revenue.

The app in the picture has a large proportion of online marketing and advertising content, which can be considered as the main purpose of the app

User data – effective May 5, 2021

If your application processes sensitive user data, you must comply with the following rules:

  • Specify privacy policies in the Play Administration in specified fields and in the app. Privacy policies and any form of in-app disclosure statement must specify how your app accesses, collects, uses and shares user data. Your Privacy Policy must disclose what types of personal and sensitive data the Application will access, collect, use and share, as well as to whom personal or sensitive user data will be shared.

Children and Families: Inspiring Advertising – effective May 5, 2021

Last year, we issued a new requirement that ads should be closed after five seconds. To be clear, this requirement also applies to motivational advertising.

We have added an example in the “Common Violations” section that clearly illustrates and provides screen shots of incentivised advertising experiences that do not comply with the policy.

— An AD pops up while the user is playing the game and doesn’t close after 5 seconds

Children and Families: WebView – effective May 5, 2021

If the target audience of the app includes children, the following requirements must be met:

  • The sole purpose of the application should not be to provide a WebView of a website, nor should the main purpose be to attract affiliate marketing traffic to a website, no matter who owns the corresponding website, this is a violation of the rules.

The app only displays the WebView of an existing web page

Package view – second half of 2021

If the app wants to see the complete list of installed apps on the user’s device, the developer needs to request permission so that we can review whether this is outside the scope of the data needed for the app’s core purpose.

If you plan to request this permission for an app targeting Android 11 (SDK 30) or higher, you’ll need to explain why your app needs this permission in the Play Admin center starting in the second half of the year. We will also notify you 60 days in advance of the deadline.

The installed application directory information queried from the device is sensitive personal data. Operations related to this information must comply with the personal information and Sensitive Information policy.

If the core purpose of an application is to launch, search for, or interoperate with other applications on the device, it can obtain, to the extent appropriate, permissions to view other applications installed on the device.

As shown above, the example on the left reveals the permissions that the application will use in a striking way. However, the game may not be satisfied with the requirement that its core purpose is to launch, search for, or interoperate with other apps on the device, so this is prohibited. The example on the right is an antivirus security application whose core purpose requires starting, searching for, or interoperating with other applications on the device, so this might be an acceptable use case. Developers should submit a permission claim form in the Google Play Administration to get feedback on whether the app can use this permission.

The policy implementation grace period for new and existing applications is shown below:

Best practices

To help you optimize your app publishing experience, please refer to the following best practices and tips:

Develop an effective plan for application audits

While some of the application review process is certainly automated, most of the actions that affect your application are manually evaluated.

It’s best to plan ahead and allow at least 7 days for app approval and release.

Use self-managed publishing patterns

Self-managed publishing helps you know when:

  • When an application is in the auditing state
  • When the application is approved
  • When the app will be available on Google Play

This way, you can commit your changes well in advance of the expected release date to give yourself time to view or execute your changes.

Appeal against disposition violations

Do not be alarmed if you receive a violation disposal email from us.

If you have read the relevant policy and believe that our decision may be wrong, please contact our policy Support team. We will reply to you within 2-7 working days. Please specify the reasons and submit relevant documents to speed up the review, such as documents proving your right to use the content in the app.

Do not submit appeals twice, as this will slow down processing!

Report illegal content

If you find an app that violates the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement, such as copyright or trademark issues, please notify us. Please go to G.Co/Legal and submit an application for our legal team to further investigate and protect your copyright and trademark rights.

Notify the application review team in advance

The app review team accepts advance notification of upcoming app or product details release events.

To prevent your app from being punished for violating the INTELLECTUAL property policy, make sure to use the advance notice provided by the Play Management Center and submit the intellectual property license statement when you publish your app.

Report improper application

If you believe an app violates the Google Play Content Policy, please fill out the Report of inappropriate apps form.

Head over to the Google Play Policy Center for details of this update.

Thank you again for paying attention to Google Play policy updates, and we look forward to your success in Google Play!