How to Remove Background Location Permission from Your Android App

Описание: Learn the steps to successfully remove the `Background Location` permission from your Android app, ensuring compliance with Google Play's requirements.
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How to Remove Background Location Permission from Your Android App

As an Android developer, you might face the challenge of needing to remove a permission that was declared in a previously released version of your app. This can become particularly complex when it involves sensitive permissions, such as Background Location. If you've issued an app version that requests Background Location and you later decide that it's no longer necessary, you may find yourself navigating a maze of repercussions during the app review process on Google Play.

The Problem

In this case, the issue arises when:

You initially released your app with Background Location permission.

You determined that this permission is no longer required.

You submitted a new app version without this permission but found that the previous versions still appear in the Permission Declaration Form, causing complications with app review.

The Google Play review team may reject your new release if it still flags the previous use of Background Location, leading to a frustrating cycle of resubmissions. Additionally, reaching Google Play support for clarification may not yield timely responses, leaving you unsure of how to proceed.

The Solution

Fortunately, there is a clear path to effectively removing the Background Location permission from your app. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

1. Understand the Google Play Review Process

Before diving into the solution, it’s essential to understand that Google Play Reviews look at all app bundles across tracks (e.g., Production, Closed Testing, Internal Testing). If any of these bundles include the Background Location permission, your app will be flagged during the review process.

2. Update All Bundles Across Tracks

To successfully remove the Background Location permission, you need to ensure that no app bundle in any track includes this permission. Follow these steps:

Check All Tracks: Review every track your app is associated with (e.g., Production, Internal Testing, Closed Testing).

Update Each App Bundle: Create an updated app bundle for each track that does NOT request the Background Location permission. This means even if your current submission does not have the permission, if any previously released version in another track does, it will still cause issues.

Deploy the Updates: Submit these updated bundles across all tracks, ensuring that your app is consistent in its permission requests.

3. Monitoring the Review Process

Once you have submitted the updated versions of your app:

Be Prepared for Review: Understand that the Google Play Review team will cross-reference the permissions declared in your app with those across all submitted bundles. Ensure that all versions are consistent.

Follow Up If Necessary: If the app gets rejected again, review the feedback provided by Google Play to address any concerns regarding permission declarations.

4. Communicate Changes Clearly

When submitting your app updates, it's also a good idea to communicate clearly in the review notes that the Background Location permission has been removed in all app bundles. This can help speed up the review process and clarify any confusion for the reviewers.

Conclusion

Navigating permission changes in an Android app can be daunting, especially with sensitive permissions like Background Location. However, by ensuring that all app bundles across all tracks are updated to exclude this permission, you can successfully address the issue. Once you've made your updates, keep a close eye on the review process for any further adjustments that may need to be addressed.

By understanding the Google Play ecosystem and taking these deliberate steps, you can effectively remove unwanted permissio