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APK errors

Play: permissions policy rejection

Error text

Your app has been rejected: Permissions policy. Your app requests the permission READ_SMS / MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE / ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION but does not meet the policy requirements.

Cause

The app asks for a sensitive permission (SMS, all files, background location) but does not match any case the Play policy allows.

Step-by-step fix

  1. List all permissions in the APK with aapt2 dump permissions, including those from libraries.
  2. Ask yourself whether each one is needed for the app's core feature.
  3. If not needed, remove it with tools:node="remove" or use an alternative API (for example the Photo Picker).
  4. If needed, fill in the Permissions declaration form in Play Console with a short demo description.
  5. Upload the new build and submit for review again.

Example commands

aapt2 dump permissions app.apk
./gradlew :app:processReleaseMainManifest
# manifest: icazəni silmək üçün
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_SMS" tools:node="remove" />

How to prevent it

Request only the permissions you need, and ask at the moment of use.

Author and license: Nibras Code