Develop Reference

Problems with location permission on android [EXPO| REACT NATIVE]

I'm trying to update an app that has already been published on the PlayStore but is now being refused because GOOGLE informs that the app does not respect usage policies. I receive the following message:
- The app does not comply with the Location Permissions policy
Email with details send by google
After receiving this response from Google, I have already corrected my code, but the app continues to be refused.
Below are the actions I have already taken to try to resolve the issue:
When I received the lock for the first time, I made the requested corrections in the application code. The app currently requests the following permissions:
permissions on code
Below is the print of the permissions after uploading the .aab to the playstore:
enter image description here
Accessing the play store policy menu, I noticed that the privacy policy setting is linked to build number 29 but I'm already trying to send build 35.
This build 29 uses background localization, but I can't unlink it from the policy configuration tab or add another app version.
app settings in play store
wrong permissions in build 29
I've also reviewed the features that use localization in the code and everything is fine. Below screenshots of the code:
code snippet 1
code snippet 2
code snippet 3
I would like to know if anyone has had similar problems and can give me some guidance on how to solve it?

First thing, I noticed that you wrote "ACCCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" (with 3 C). I don't know if this is the error, but better spell it right.
Second thing, be sure that you declared that you DON'T use background location. To do that, go to your Google Play Console, select your app, then go to
App Content (it should be the last section on the left) -> API and sensitive authorizations -> Manage
then set "No" to the question regarding background location.
This is the screen you should see after these steps

Action requested - Submit the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission declaration by July 20

Here is the email I received from Google Play. I added QUERY ALL PACKAGES permission to the manifest file so that all the features would function properly in Android 11 or later. But in reality, I simply require a portion of the permission to implement those functionalities. So, if the "QUERY ALL PACKAGES" permission is withdrawn and another core permission is added in manifest file, do we still need to submit a permission declaration?
DEVELOPER UPDATE
Hello Google Play Developer,
If your app requires the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, you need to
submit the declaration form in Play Console by July 20. Otherwise, you
will not be able to submit new apps or app updates.
Action required:
If your app does not require use of the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, you must remove the permission from your app manifest.
If your app requires use of the QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, you’ll need to provide a description and short video of the core
feature in your app that requires this permission. To prepare for the
questions you’ll need to answer, review this Help Center article.
You have until July 20 to submit the declaration or remove the
permission from your app manifest. Apps that fail to meet the policy
requirements or do not submit the declaration form may be removed from
Google Play starting July 20.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us to make Google Play a safe
platform for you and your users.
Thank you,
The Google Play team

Try these solutions if you don't need QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission
https://stackoverflow.com/a/73104066/10657559
https://stackoverflow.com/a/72774358/10657559
Updating an app that has sensitive permissions on the Google Play Console
In my case I have submitted declaration form in play console like below
Go to Google Play Console , under Policy area -> App Content -> click Manage button under Sensitive permissions and API
Here lists all sensitive permission used in our app -> click Manage button under corresponding permission
Fill the declaration form
I have submitted this 3 weeks ago and I haven't met with any issues from Google Play Console so far.

Action Required: Your app is not compliant with Google Play Policies

i'm having some problem on sending my app to production in play store
See, the first time i tried to send my app to production i received an email 3 days later with this:
After a recent review, we found that your app --- (---) 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.
Issue with your app
Issues with submitted video
We were unable to view the video you provided in your declaration.
Your video should show the in-app feature’s functionality showing
usage of location in the background, and how a user would trigger the
prominent disclosure, runtime permission (with user consent), and
feature in action.
Please check that your video is accessible, and/or modify your video
to demonstrate the declared feature that requires access to location
in the background, then resubmit your declaration form via the Play
Console. Affected APK(s): APK:7, APK:1
And i noticed this:
Your video should show the in-app feature’s functionality showing
usage of location in the background
Note: i created my app using react native and expo
So i realized that expo, by default, includes a lot of permissions in my app, hence, i decided to create a new build including only the permissions my app really needs. (Removing the background location)
ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
Then uploaded my app to play store and sent it to production on monday and today i received the same email saying my app was rejected by the same reason mentioned above.
After reviewing the email i read this: "Affected APK(s): APK:7, APK:1"
And my current app version is APK: 8 which means that i must edit all these versions
So the thing here is that i don't know how to change the code of the previous versions of my app.
What can i do to solve this? any suggestions

I think your video is not accessible or it is in private mode,
Google says for videos you can save it either you drive or youtube but when you put the video from your google drive you need to make it public other vises it will not able to access and then google will not allow to process it. your video should not have any copyright issues and also make the video that explains everything in a clear manner so that it would not creating any problem.
in my case I also got this type of alert then I follow the steps that google listed and make proper explainer video.

error when I post my app-bundle on google play console

I have post an app-bundle on the Google Play Console few day ago, there found a mistake about Location permission, so I filled a form to explain why we doesn't use the location on my app.
But this morning, they send me an email to says my application was refused... with this email:
Option 1: File an exception and roll out a submission (without making changes)
During the extended timeline for compliance, you will be allowed to roll out your latest submission without making any changes by requesting a Location exception. Here’s how:
1. Sign in to your Play Console
2. Select your app.
3. Navigate to the Permissions Declaration Form.
4. To file an exception in the form, go to the question “Does your app meet the Location permissions policy?” and select “No, this app does not meet the Location permissions policy.”
Selecting this option will allow you to access location in the background in your latest submission, in any updates to your app, or when submitting a new app, until the dates mentioned above. For more information, please visit our Help Center.
5. Submit your app.
Option 2: Submit a compliant update
Once you’re ready to submit a compliant version of your app:
1. Make the necessary updates to address the issue(s) identified above.
If your app is not eligible to access location in the background or does not meet requirements for accessing location in the background, please remove the permission from your manifest and in-app functionality.
2. Double check that your app is compliant with all other Developer Program Policies.
3. Sign in to your Play Console and submit the update to your app.
the problem is: I don't understand anything about the Google Play console, there is so much tab everything is complicated to understand.
How I'm suppose to do the Option 1 ? The Permissions Declaration Form is nowhere. The question “Does your app meet the Location permissions policy?” is nowhere !
So I have update some thing in my app, change the versionCode to 2 in my app.json, create the the app-bundle and then :
click on blue button "create a release" upload my new app-bundle. The error still here:
And I have 2 releases ! How I can delete one ?
I have also tried to delete my app but nothing about this. Did I have to create a new app with the same name but the new app-bundle ?

remove permission
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION"/>
and go to google play console
select app
select App content
select Sensitive app permissions
select manage
select No, this app does not meet the location permissions policy

How to fix "Issue: Violation of Families Policy Requirements"

I've tried to publish an app on Play store but it's rejected and I've received an email titled: "Issue: Violation of Families Policy Requirements"
And it also followed by: "Apps that contain elements that appeal to children must comply with all Families Policy Requirements. We found the following issue(s) with your app:
Eligibility Issue
<>
In order to review your app for “Designed for Families” eligibility, we will need you to provide a test login account. Please provide login credentials to the support team before you submit any updated version for another review (select “Test Login Needed” and include the test login account and password details in the open box field)."
I sent the test login account and password as requested, and I'm sure that my app doesn't violate Families Policy Requirements that includes these items:
https://play.google.com/about/families/children-and-families/families-policy/
I've received the same email several time without any further detailed information about this issue.
How can I contact Play_store to Know more about my Problem?

We had the exact same issue (see my comment under the question) and what eventually got us published was changing our "Target age group" configuration in Play Console (App Content -> Target audience and content -> Target age group) - we unchecked everything below 13-15. Not sure if you had those checked, but if you did, try unchecking them then resubmit the app.
I realize that we basically had to lie and are now maybe risking some penalty (getting removed from the Play Store?) but doing everything right got us nowhere, so we had to resort to this "cheating".
Not saying you should do what we did, just saying what worked for us. Do it at your own risk.

Google Play updated the Polices on regular bases here is the new Policy...
Families Policy Updations
Step 1: Login with google play account
Select Your App to Publish and select Release Management-->> App Release from left side corner as below..
Step 2 : Click on the App Content option and follow the screens
Question 1 : Click on Start option and Complete all the questions and submit as follow
answer the correct age group to which your app support.
Example : i selected 18 and Above
Question 2 : Does it appeal to children give your answer
Example : i selected NO because my app not appeal to children
Submit : Click on Next and finally Submit
Final Step Go Back and select your app which you want to update select Release Management>> App Release... now you wont find any error...
#Ambilpura

Check your privacy policy. I had also like this issue, then I provided privacy policy.

Add valid Privacy Url in App Content
and use This easy Privacy and Policy GENRATOR Click here

Here's the latest way to add test credentials in the Play Console:
Open Play Console and go to the App content page (Policy > App content).
Under "App access," select Start (or If you’ve previously added instructions for app access and you want to make changes, you’ll see and select Manage instead of Start.)
Click + Add new instructions and provide your access details.
Use the “Any other instructions” field to let us know if there’s anything special about your login mechanism, such as using a one-time password, multi-factor authentication, or logins with more than two fields. Then, press the "Apply" button.
Source: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9859455?visit_id=637584518828340026-1664302252&rd=1#app_access

Pay attention to "Blocking controls" under app-level on your admob page and check "Ad content rating".