Google changes its policies as often as some change their underpants.

Hi guys,

As a programmer you have to respect and apply many guidelines, is also right so.
But if these guidelines are not understandable or even so senseless, then I just too much.
Now I wonder if at all should put all my apps still Google Play, because you make us as programmers life more and more difficult.
I now start to provide all my apps from Google Play in parallel also on my website.
Let's see how this develops.

What do you think of this, or how do you do it?

Filippo said:

What do you think of this, or how do you do it?

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It will be difficult to bypass Google or Apple. This Fight is Lost.

jahswant said:

It will be difficult to bypass Google or Apple. This Fight is Lost.

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Not really.
Today I was contacted by two customers because they cannot buy my application.
This is probably because the Google Play services have not been installed or updated.

Unfortunately, without stores, it is nearly impossible to distribute apps.

tufanv said:

Unfortunately, without stores, it is nearly impossible to distribute apps.

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Most of my customers buy my apps again and again, because I only offer purchase licenses with fixed terms, like 1-month, 6-month and 1-year.
Therefore, it should not be a big problem.
You just have to teach the customers how to install an app outside Google Play.

Whats this about changing underpants?

I agree with everyone else, Google and Apple have us by the short and curlies. Same as selling "real" stuff, Ebay, FB etc are where everyone looks to buy. I started a hobby back in 2000 and used Ebay to get the sales going. I'd let the buyer know about my website in a little note with the item I'd sold and eventually I got away from using Ebay. Maybe the same is possible with apps but I think its not the same with a digital product, we still need the storefront to let people know about our produce.

MikeH said:

Whats this about changing underpants?

I agree with everyone else, Google and Apple have us by the short and curlies. Same as selling "real" stuff, Ebay, FB etc are where everyone looks to buy. I started a hobby back in 2000 and used Ebay to get the sales going. I'd let the buyer know about my website in a little note with the item I'd sold and eventually I got away from using Ebay. Maybe the same is possible with apps but I think its not the same with a digital product, we still need the storefront to let people know about our produce.

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You could do the same with apps.
You could upload demo apps to Google Play that link to the full version on your own website.
Something like InApp-Purchase, only that the full version is not purchased via Google Play.

MikeH said:

Whats this about changing underpants?

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This is just a figure of speech.

Filippo said:

You could do the same with apps.
You could upload demo apps to Google Play that link to the full version on your own website.
Something like InApp-Purchase, only that the full version is not purchased via Google Play.

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But we'd still need the play store - also, is it possible to load a non store app into an iPhone as it is with Android? I think not.

Filippo said:

This is just a figure of speech.

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Thanks goodness for that! Mine are still good ?

MikeH said:

But we'd still need the play store - also, is it possible to load a non store app into an iPhone as it is with Android? I think not.

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For Apple, the situation is different, because it is not so really easy to install an app outside Apple store.
I have also had problems with Apple, but never as many as with Google.
And from Apple, when there are problems, you really get help.

At first they were free to sign up for an account and made every effort to attract developers, when a large number of developers entered their playground, they started to collect fees and execute developers. developers have to follow their own ridiculous rules and regulations unduly. Do they know that it is the developers who make their growth and finance them
Disappointed in the view of GooglePlay too

I must first say that I am not an Apple fan and everyone here knows that.
Apple runs the apps approval much better compared to Google.
When an app is uploaded, it is first reviewed by Apple. If a problem is detected, then the programmer gets an email with the reason and if possible an app screenshot with the problem. If there is no policy problem, then the app is approved and it stays that way until the next update.

With Google it works differently.
The app is uploaded and approved without much scrutiny.
After a certain time (week, month), you get an email with the info that this app does not meet the Google policy and it must be changed within 2 weeks, otherwise the app is blocked.
Now you have the possibility to complain, but it usually brings nothing, because you get no help, but again an email with the same reason.

@Filippo said....
With Google it works differently.
The app is uploaded and approved without much scrutiny.

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There was a time when that was true.... The idea that Google programming was completely open source and community supported has long since past. It was inevitable that such an open source eco-system would eventually turn into the 'Wild West'. Consequently the accessible file systems of Android have been increasingly locked down and measures for protecting privacy and children have become increasingly strict. From a privacy point of view Android is now where iOS was 7 or 8 years ago..... when we all started to hate it!

Around 5 years ago Google was issued a number of 'cease & desist' notices by companies over brand-name infringements. Google consequently ran a database of well-known brand names over their inventory of apps and removed them from sale without further discussion. I was one such victim. This app was designed to perform a particular support function on a particular aircraft, the name of which was evident from the app title. It was made VERY clear that the app was in no way connected with the aircraft manufacturer. This was of no interest to Google who took the easy way out.

There was a time, just before Covid, where Google woke up to the amount of malware in circulation. It started taking a long time (a week plus) to get apps approved.

I remain alert for pirated versions of my app that can be found online. If I find one I download it and examine the package. They are invariable bloated and re-engineered with malware. It makes you wonder what sort of environment we would be operating in if we never had those changes to Android and Google policies.

Filippo said:

I must first say that I am not an Apple fan and everyone here knows that.
Apple runs the apps approval much better compared to Google.
When an app is uploaded, it is first reviewed by Apple. If a problem is detected, then the programmer gets an email with the reason and if possible an app screenshot with the problem. If there is no policy problem, then the app is approved and it stays that way until the next update.

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I wish this was the case. Apple are not always so helpful:



Four times I asked them what "Other" means. Then without any changes to my app, they eventually accepted it. Still no explanation though. It would appear that Apple uses humans to test app submissions and these humans have variable proficiency.

With Google it seems to be much more automated with, as you say, checks being made later on.

MikeH said:

It would appear that Apple uses humans to test app submissions and these humans have variable proficiency.

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Just like in real life, because a person can usually judge better.
I think that's how it should be.

MikeH said:

I wish this was the case. Apple are not always so helpful:

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I did not write that Apple always does everything right.