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Google Play Store reject my app because of background location

P

Preda

Lurker
I have a problem with Google Play Store approval process. My application has been rejected multiple times. Bellow is the what I received from the Google Support:

https://i.stack.imgur.com/Lx89V.png

They say that selected feature should deliver clear value to the user and be important to the core functionality, or main purpose of the app. And that's exactly the case here: the app's core feature is the Nearby Page, which shows people geographically close to you. From there, you can see their profile and start chatting. So, it's absolutely required that background location sync every users location periodically, so I can see a valid list of people around me.

Here is a brief video showing how the Nearby functionality looks like:

Any idea what am I doing wrong?
 
Does your description of the app for the user include the information that the app will not function if location access is not granted?

Although not particularly clear, it sounds to me that Google feels that you have not met their requirement of informing users (of your app) that without background location access the app will not function properly.
 
puppykickr said:
Does your description of the app for the user include the information that the app will not function if location access is not granted?

Although not particularly clear, it sounds to me that Google feels that you have not met their requirement of informing users (of your app) that without background location access the app will not function properly.
Click to expand...

Hmm...I'm not sure if that's the case. If you take a look at the video that I posted above, at 0:12 time, you will see that the disclosure say exactly that: Wi collect location data to identify nearby people...
 
Does it say this in your Play Store submission and listing, or just in-app? This is just a way of rephrasing @puppykickr's question, but that does seem to be a key question and you didn't answer it.

(Sorry if the answer is in your video, but I prefer to read rather than sit through videos and so never watch them. Nothing personal).
 
Hadron said:
Does it say this in your Play Store submission and listing, or just in-app? This is just a way of rephrasing @puppykickr's question, but that does seem to be a key question and you didn't answer it.

(Sorry if the answer is in your video, but I prefer to read rather than sit through videos and so never watch them. Nothing personal).
Click to expand...

This is the link to my app on Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wichat.app

Do you think that I am missing a more accurate description of the app itself here?
 
Sorry, I thought the app had been rejected - how come it has a Play Store link?
Preda said:
Do you think that I am missing a more accurate description of the app itself here?
Click to expand...
I think you are missing any sort of description. The three words "People around me" tell the prospective user absolutely nothing about what the app does, never mind explaining what permissions it requires and why (or why the user might wish to install it).

But I'd assume that you also need to submit some documentation to Google ("assume" because I've never submitted an app to the app store). So what information have you provided to them?
 
Yes, I agree with you, the 3 words says nothing. I've updated the description and will wait to see if the are going to approve it now. This is the new description:

Wi is an application that lets you connect with people and events around you. Use Wi to:

- See people around you and chat with them
- See photos or videos that people around you publish
- Or publish a photo or video yourself
- Like and comment other's people posts
- Check for interesting events and places around you

List through posts published by people around you to see discover what they are doing, or if there is an interesting ongoing event that you can join right away.

Or find out which people are near you and start talking to them.


I've also updated the description explaining why I do request location background permission. See screenshot bellow:

upload_2021-2-12_0-16-55.png



As last thing, I've provided the application policy where it again explain why location background is required. Here it is: https://wiapp.net/privacy-policy/

At this point, I really hope they are going to approve the app.
 
After updating everything as described above, Google rejected the app again, sending me the same email. I'm running out of ideas.
 
My app has been removed for using background location as well. We used it for the geofencing feature to let users know they were close to one of our stores. It was a nice feature from what we were getting back. The issue is that geofencing requires background location for Android 10 and greater and now we can't use it if background location isn't a "core function" of the app. So how does this work for major stores like wal mart, taco bell, etc that would have used something similar to let people know about their order or picking up groceries. Am I missing something or is this essentially prohibiting the use of geofencing unless you've got a mapping app? Looking for a way back into the store without having to remove a useful feature to my customers.
 
Try writing to the technical support service. Maybe you're doing something wrong, and it's not what you think at all. There are stringent rules for applications you want to place in the apple store. I came across this myself when I created the first applications in https://flipabit.dev/ since I did not know many nuances of this sphere. But believe me, these rules are constantly changing, and not everyone can keep track of them. So don't get upset and try to contact people who understand this and can tell you exactly what your mistake is. Good luck with your app
 
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