Android Question Switch to the Play Referrer API by March 1, 2020

[Deleted member 103]

Hi,
I got this email from Google today, can anyone tell me how to implement this Api?

Hello Google Play Developer,

We recently announced that we’ll be deprecating the install_referrer intent broadcast mechanism. Because one or more of your apps uses this intent to track referrals, we wanted to ensure you make the switch before March 1, 2020. After this date, new versions of the Play Store app will no longer broadcast the install_referrer intent after app installs.

Action required

Migrate to the Play Install Referrer API to track your app installs for the following apps and/or games.

Affected apps

xx.xxxxxxxxxx
xx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Play Install Referrer API offers better performance, uses a secure communication channel between your app and the Play Store, and offers a more robust solution against spoof and attribution fraud.
We know this change may require some additional work on your part and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you for being a part of Google Play.

 

[DonManfred]

You need to find out which library is involved/add this.

 

[Computersmith64]

Firebase Analytics: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/78380811#comment22

If you have:

#AdditionalJar: com.google.firebase:firebase-core

in your project, it might be coming from there.

- Colin.

 

[scsjc]

It could be in a few libraries. I'm pretty sure it's in Informatix's GPGS library & there is a function called IsGooglePlayServicesAvailable in the FirebaseAnalytics library which might also require the BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFER permission.

- Colin.

i have in permissions:

and i have:

#AdditionalJar: com.google.firebase:firebase-core

 

[DonManfred]

i have in permissions

and it comes from which library? Scroll up the list to see

 

[DonManfred]

It is firebaseanalytics.
it is part of the Firebase.b4x_excluded file.

I´m pretty sure Erel will post an update "in time"...

 

[scsjc]

and it comes from which library? Scroll up the list to see

It comes from the Manifest Editor,
I think it comes from firebase, i use:

 

[ilan]

It make sense that it come from firebase analytics because only those app (the 4 apps that are listed in that mail) use it.

 

[Deleted member 103]

It make sense that it come from firebase analytics because only those app (the 4 apps that are listed in that mail) use it.

Not quite true.
I use it in all my apps and google just listed me 2.

 

[asales]

If Erel can not help, then we're screwed.

I got this email today too.
I don't know why, because I don't have use this InstallBroadcast, only this in my apps:

Dim it As Intent
it.Initialize(it.ACTION_VIEW, "market://details?id=" & url_app)

 

[Erel]

If Erel can not help, then we're screwed.

Not really. Your app will continue to work fine. Just the install referrer intent will not be tracked (which you probably aren't using anyway).

 

[Deleted member 103]

Not really. Your app will continue to work fine. Just the install referrer intent will not be tracked (which you probably aren't using anyway).

Then that's not so bad as we all suspected.

But what is the "install referrer intent" ?

Is that it?

Dim it As Intent
it.Initialize(it.ACTION_VIEW, "market://details?id=" & url_app)

 

[Erel]

No. It is part of the declarations that are added to the manifest when you reference Firebase libraries:

 <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="com.android.vending.INSTALL_REFERRER" />
            </intent-filter>

I've checked the latest versions of Firebase and they still add this intent filter.

Just ignore the message received from Google. All that will happen is:

"After this date, new versions of the Play Store app will no longer broadcast the install_referrer intent after app installs."

 

[Computersmith64]

No. It is part of the declarations that are added to the manifest when you reference Firebase libraries:

 <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="com.android.vending.INSTALL_REFERRER" />
            </intent-filter>

I've checked the latest versions of Firebase and they still add this intent filter.

Just ignore the message received from Google. All that will happen is:

"After this date, new versions of the Play Store app will no longer broadcast the install_referrer intent after app installs."

TBH - even after reading various info about this, I'm still not sure of how it is used in the real world (duh). Are you saying that leaving it as-is won't affect any Firebase Analytics data?

- Colin.

 

[Erel]

Are you saying that leaving it as-is won't affect any Firebase Analytics data?

1. The intent filter is declared in Firebase SDK.
2. Nothing bad will happen if the intent is not sent.
3. In the worst case you will lose the installer referrer information.
4. I guess that Firebase will be updated at some point and will use the new API.