⛔ Google rejects ntfy from Google Play ⚠️

[binwiederhier]

Google has rejected the ntfy app update for using the REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES permission.

This permission is used in the current production version (v1.14.0, aka "28") to install .apk files that were received by ntfy

In newer builds of ntfy (v1.15.2, aka "31", and others), I have removed the REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES permission, yet Google keeps rejecting the app. I have appealed, but nothing has helped so far.

Unable to publish new versions ⛔ ⚠️

As of right now, I cannot publish new versions of ntfy on Google Play.

Communication from/with Google

Note: Version "28" is the current Production version. Newer versions do not have this permission. This is an error on Google-side, yet, I cannot do anything about it.

Google Play console screenshots

Update 1

After "Creating a release" (version v1.16.0, aka "32") directly in the "Production" track (and setting the "roll out percentage" to 100%), the "App bundles and APKs using sensitive permissions" page is now empty. There is hope.

Update 2

It's fixed!! I believe what worked was to deploy directly to the Production track with 100% rollout. It was truly YOLO, but I had no other choice. That made the the "App bundles and APKs using sensitive permissions" page show no releases in violation, which I think was ultimately the fix.

[binwiederhier]

Fixed.