Popup Factory 2 has been removed from Google Play.

Popup Factory

Popup Factory 2 has been removed from Google Play.

rhys 2022. 9. 4. 15:50

According to Google's Android/Play Store policy, there are permissions that phase out the use.

QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES, an essential permission for Popup Factory operation, is included in this target.
Google Play Store has decided not to apply an exception to Popup Factory.

Fix policy violations to prevent your app from being removed

It is a bit worrying that it will be a clunky app by removing the permission,

and for users who are already using PF2 well.

This is because, if you remove the permission, you will not be able to perform the following actions,

which are the core functions of the app.

- Search all apps & get app icon
- Launch apps

If the permission is removed: Failed to acquire app icon & unable to run

It is very regrettable that the app characteristics are not taken into account. 🤯

I am thinking about how to distribute it in the future.
Perhaps there will be limited distribution through the this blog.

To share information with Android developers,
I put below, from the first warning email and details I appealed to Google Play Store.

It seems that banking and finance-related apps will get/allow exceptions only, for the purpose of detecting malicious apps.
It seems to be inconsistent with current policy enforcement.

The survival of the app depends on, which reviewer you meet. lol.

It's bittersweet!

Action Required: Your app is not compliant with Google Play Policies (Popup Factory 2)

Google Play Support <no-reply-googleplay-developer@google.com>

Hi Developers at rhyshan,
After a recent review, we found that your app Popup Factory 2 (com.rhyshan.popupfactory2) is not compliant with one or more of our Developer Program Policies.

See below for more information about your app's status and how to correct the issue.

Status: Further action required

Your app may be removed from Google Play if you do not resolve the issue(s) by the deadlines listed below.

Issue found: Less broad app-visibility method should be used

We are unable to approve your app’s use of QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission because the declared task can be done with a less broad app-visibility method.

One suggested method is to declare your app's need for specific package visibility using the element. You may refer to the common use cases.

Your app may be removed from Google Play if you do not resolve this issue by August 31, 2022.

Issue details

We found an issue in the following area(s):

SPLIT_BUNDLE 14

About the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission Policy

The QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission cannot be used in the following scenario:

When the required task can be done with a less broad app-visibility method.

The QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission can be used in the following scenario:

When your app’s core user-facing functionality or purpose requires discovering any and all installed apps on the device for awareness or interoperability purposes. Examples include device search, antivirus apps, file managers, and browsers.
Note: Apps granted access to this permission must comply with the User Data policies, including Prominent Disclosure and Consent Requirement, and may not extend its use to undisclosed or invalid purposes.

For more help addressing this issue, read more in our Help Center.

If you believe that your use case is policy compliant, please contact our policy support team and provide the following details:

An explanation of why the required task cannot be completed with a less broad app-visibility method, and
Code excerpts (in an text file attachment) of where QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission is used in your app, and/or
If your app is using any SDKs requiring the use of the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, provide SDK documentation (in the form of a screenshot or an accessible link) describing the use case for each of the SDKs using the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission

Action required: Submit an updated app for review

Here's what to do to help get your app on Google Play:

Make sure to read the applicable policies or requirements:
- QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission Policy
Make appropriate changes to your app (if possible), and be sure to address the issue described above. You may also want to check your app's store listing for compliance, if applicable.
Double check that your app is compliant with all other Developer Program Policies.
If you made changes to your app bundle, store listing, or APK, please sign in to your Play Console and submit the update(s).

Contact support

If you've reviewed the policy and feel our decision may have been in error, please reach out to our policy support team. We'll get back to you within 2 business days.

Learn More

Visit the Android Developers Blog to learn more about free tools and resources for building safe and successful apps.
Thanks for your continued support in helping to make Google Play a positive experience for both developers and consumers. We look forward to seeing an updated version of your app on Google Play.
Please complete a two question survey to help us improve this experience.

https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/10158779#intended&exceptions&invalid&&zippy=%2Cpermitted-uses-of-the-query-all-packages-permission%2Cexceptions%2Cinvalid-uses

폭넓은 패키지(앱) 가시성(QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES) 권한 사용 - Play Console 고객센터

도움이 되었나요? 어떻게 하면 개선할 수 있을까요? 예아니요

support.google.com

Think we've made a mistake?

Google Play Console - Policy status - Warning details

YESSSSS!

I believe that I received a warning in error because the violation doesn’t apply to my app.

I understand why I received a warning and would like help with addressing the violation.

Re: Appeals Confirmation [4-61]

Google Play - App Concent

Dear Google Play Developer,

Thanks for contacting Google Play. Your appeal has been submitted successfully and will be reviewed by a specialist. The ticket number for your appeal is referenced in the subject of this message. Currently, we are experiencing a high volumes so there may be a delay in our responses.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work on getting a response back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks,

The Google Play Team

Re(2): Appeals Confirmation [4-61]

googleplay-developer-support@google.com / cases-outbound-prod.bounces.google.com

Hi Developer at rhyshan,

Thanks for contacting Google Play Developer Support.

I received your appeal for your app Popup Factory 2 (com.rhyshan.popupfactory2) and I appreciate your patience while I look into it. I'll let you know as soon as I have any additional information to share.

Please let me know if you have any questions in the meantime.

Regards,

K-

The Google Play Team

Please visit the Google Play Developer Policy Center and Google Play's Academy for App Success to learn more about building policy compliant and high quality apps. You can also visit the Android Developers Blog for the latest Android and Google Play news for app and game developers.

Re(3): Appeals Confirmation [4-61]

googleplay-developer-support@google.com / cases-outbound-prod.bounces.google.com

Hi Developer at rhyshan,

Thanks for contacting the Google Play team.

Status: Latest app update not available on Google Play

We’ve reviewed your appeal request and found that your app, Popup Factory 2, (com.rhyshan.popupfactory2) is not compliant with Google Play policies. If you submitted an update to an existing app, the version published prior to the update is still available on Google Play. I’ve included details below about the specific issue with your app and what you can do to get your app back on Google Play.

Step 1: Review the policy issues with your app

We found that your app is not compliant with how QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission is allowed to be used. Permitted uses involve apps with core functionalities that require the discovery of any and all installed apps on the device for awareness or interoperability purposes.

Specifically, we found the following issues:

We have determined that the declared task can be done with a less broad app-visibility method. You can declare your app's need for increased package visibility using the <queries> element. You may refer to the common use cases.

If you believe that your use case is policy compliant, please provide the following details:

An explanation of why the required task cannot be completed with a less broad app-visibility method, and
Code excerpts (in an text file attachment) of where QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission is used in your app, and/or
If your app is using any SDKs requiring the use of the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, provide SDK documentation (in the form of a screenshot or an accessible link) describing the use case for each of the SDKs using the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission.

Please update your app to fix this issue. You may also want to double check that your app complies with all other Developer Program Policies.

Step 2: Submit a compliant update or remove the permission from your app

Once you’re ready to submit a compliant version of your app:

Make the necessary updates to address the issue(s) identified above or please remove the permission from your manifest and in-app functionality.
Double check that your app is compliant with all other Developer Program Policies.
Sign in to Play Console and submit the update to your app.

Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks for working with us to fix the policy issue and for your continued support of Google Play.

Re(4): Appeals Confirmation [4-61]

SH Han <rhyshan@gmail.com> to googleplay-developer-support

Hello, Google Play Team.

Our Popup Factory series requires, "the discovery of any and all installed apps on the device" to achieve core functionalities of its own.

The main function of Popup Factory is launching other installed apps with the intended size.

To do this, Popup Factory must first know the list of installed apps.

An explanation of why the required task cannot be completed with a less broad app-visibility method, and

🔧 If I remove QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES, Popup Factory can access or launch only these apps: https://developer.android.com/training/package-visibility/automatic#app-types-visible-automatically

🔧 Me and my friends mostly launch games with Popup Factory, but it won't be able to find installed apps without permission.

🔧 Example usage:

1. Add Calculator and Telegram from AppSelectActivity. (Where I use QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES)

2. Specify the desired popup size.

3. Launch test.

🔧 https://youtu.be/z4uuAbyRdtg?t=254: Adding 2 app into 1 launch set(eng sub available)

Code excerpts (in an text file attachment) of where QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission is used in your app, and/or

🔧 mainIntent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_LAUNCHER)

val launcherApps = pm.queryIntentActivities(mainIntent, 0)

class AppSelectActivity : AppCompatActivity() {

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        Log.d(TAG, "AppSelectActivity: onCreate")
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_app_select)

        val pm = packageManager
        val mainIntent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN, null)
        mainIntent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_LAUNCHER)
        val launcherApps = pm.queryIntentActivities(mainIntent, 0)
        Collections.sort(
            launcherApps,
            ResolveInfo.DisplayNameComparator(pm)
        )
        rv_selector_app_list.layoutManager = LinearLayoutManager(this)
        rv_selector_app_list.adapter =
            AppSelectAdapter(
                this,
                launcherApps
            )
    }
}

If your app is using any SDKs requiring the use of the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, provide SDK documentation (in the form of a screenshot or an accessible link) describing the use case for each of the SDKs using the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission.

🔧 I am not using any SDKs, just getting a list of launchable installed apps.

Please kindly check again.

Thank you.

Re(5): Appeals Confirmation [4-61]

googleplay-developer-support@google.com / cases-outbound-prod.bounces.google.com

Hi Developer at rhyshan,

Thanks for your reply.

I have reviewed and found that your app Popup Factory 2 (com.rhyshan.popupfactory2) is still not compliant with Google Play policies. We found that your app is not compliant with how QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission is allowed to be used. Permitted uses involve apps with core functionalities that require the discovery of any and all installed apps on the device for awareness or interoperability purposes.

In order to fix this issue, please make sure to DEACTIVATE the non-compliant APK (App Bundle Version: 14) and increment the version number of the APK. Kindly note that all active APK versions need to be compliant.

You may read through QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission and Developer Program Policies for further information.

Thanks for your continued support of Google Play.

Regards,

K-

The Google Play Team

Re(6): Appeals Confirmation [4-61]

googleplay-developer-support@google.com / cases-outbound-prod.bounces.google.com

Thanks for contacting Google Play Android Developer Support.

Please take a minute to answer this short survey about your satisfaction with our support, as we'd like to know your thoughts about what we're doing well and how we can improve: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/contact/app_tsurvey?caseid=A..

If you're not fully satisfied with the resolution of your case, or if you need additional assistance, you can skip the survey and reply to our last response to reopen your case. We'll be happy to help.

Thanks in advance for your valuable feedback!

The Google Play Android Developer Support Team

Q. How satisfied are you with your most recent interaction with the Google Play policy support team? *

A. Include more personalized email responses from the policy support team

Unsuccessful appeal against the suspension of your app?

#QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES #Android11 #PolicyViolations

#google #playstore #popupfactory #Android