"Inquiry Regarding Rejection of My App on Google Play Due to External Storage Write Permission"

[Entesar_Batiha]

Hello, I want to ask about my app being rejected on the Play Store because it has a permission to write to external storage. I need this permission to download PDF files on Android versions below 11.

[Taifun]

As a start please provide the complete Google Play message
Taifun

[Entesar_Batiha]

Hi Developers at Intisar Mohammad,

After a recent review, we found that your app المساعد في تخطيط الدروس (appinventor.ai_entesarbatiha.Planing_lessons) 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.

### App Status: Rejected

Your app has been rejected and wasn't published due to the policy issue(s) listed below. If you submitted an update, the previous version of your app is still available on Google Play.

### Issue found: Not a core feature

The app feature that you declared as dependent on the All files access permission didn’t meet the policy review requirements for critical core functionality.

Core functionality is defined as the main purpose of the app. Without this core functionality, the app is "broken" or rendered unusable. The core functionality, as well as any core features that comprise this core functionality, must all be prominently documented and promoted in your app's store listing description on Google Play.

Update your app so that the feature doesn't use this permission. If your app doesn’t require access to the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, you must remove it from your app's manifest in order to successfully meet the policy review requirements.

Alternatively, if your app is “broken” or rendered unusable without this permission, it’s likely your earlier declaration was misstated or is unclear. Ensure that the core functionality and technical justification are clearly documented and promoted in the app's description when you complete the Permissions Declaration Form, and resubmit your app on the Play Console.

To bring your app into compliance, follow these steps :

F ollow these steps to bring your app into compliance:

• Review the All Files Access Permission policy.
• Read more about Use of All files access permission to better understand permitted and invalid uses.
• Review Android storage use cases and best practices for common storage use cases.
• If your app meets the requirements of permitted uses, read how to Declare permissions for your app.

About the All Files Access Permission policy

Files and directory attributes on a user's device are regarded as personal and sensitive user data subject to the Personal and Sensitive Information policy and the following requirements:

• Apps should only request access to device storage which is critical for the app to function, and may not request access to device storage on behalf of any third-party for any purpose that is unrelated to critical user-facing app functionality.
• Android devices running Android "R" (Android 11) or later, will require the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission in order to manage access to shared storage. All apps that target R or later and request broad access to shared storage ("All files access") must successfully pass an appropriate access review prior to publishing. Apps allowed to use this permission must clearly prompt users to enable "All files access" for their app under "Special app access" settings. For more information on the R requirements, see Use of All files access (MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) permission.

Action required: Submit an updated app for review

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

1. Make sure to read the applicable policies or requirements listed below:

• All Files Access Permission policy

2. 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.
3. 1. 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.
4. Double check that your app is compliant with all other Developer Program Policies.
5. If you made changes to your app bundle, store listing, or APK, please sign in to your Play Console and submit the update(s).
6. Double check that your app is compliant with all other Developer Program Policies.
7. 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. Check out the latest Google Play policy updates on Full Screen Intent Permission, Health Apps, Photo and Video Permissions, AI-Generated Content, and more! Watch now: #PolicyBytes

Thanks for your continued support in helping to make Google Play a positive experience for both developers and consumers.

Please complete a two question survey to help us improve this experience.

The Google Play Team

[Taifun]

@Entesar_Batiha

MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission

You should not use the permission if you want to upload your app to Google Play

How to request and grant MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission

In this guide I show you, how to request and grant → MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE on devices with Android 11+. Be aware that this permission is usually not granted by Google. However, let’s assume the app is only intended for private use or for special users or for other app stores. This permission must be declared in the Manifest (since it is not declared the Companion app you can't test this with Companion): <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/> Here is a s…

> Be aware that this permission is usually not granted by Google

Taifun