I'd like to know if anyone has had similar problems publishing an app with subscription access on Google Play.
Currently, I'm struggling with a deactivation warning for my app due to "Paywall Restriction."
I'm supposed to submit login credentials for the app, even though there is no login.
The app in question has been available on the Play Store for several years, and all updates have been approved so far.
Suddenly, for the past few days, there have been problems to pass the review process.
Situation:
The new review process seems to have significant problems dealing with such situations.
As a developer I feel helpless facing the entire new review process, and troubleshooting consumes enormous resources.
My question:
What can be done to prevent the impending deactivation on Google Play?
Has anyone had similar experiences or tips on how I can proceed before my app is removed?
Currently, I'm struggling with a deactivation warning for my app due to "Paywall Restriction."
I'm supposed to submit login credentials for the app, even though there is no login.
The app in question has been available on the Play Store for several years, and all updates have been approved so far.
Suddenly, for the past few days, there have been problems to pass the review process.
Situation:
- My app offers special content that is only accessible after purchasing a subscription.
- After uploading a new version, the warning appeared: "Paywall restriction. The in-app experience is behind a paywall or requires a subscription."
- Deadline to resolve: 14 days, otherwise the app will be removed.
- Requirement: "Update your app login credentials in the app access declaration."
- I cannot provide login credentials as the app has no login. Access is exclusively through purchasing a subscription via Google Play Billing.
- I explained this in an appeal and pointed out that the reviewer must purchase a subscription to fully test the app – a procedure that was always accepted in previous reviews.
- The response to the appeal was a standard email that did not address the specific situation.
- The "App access" settings were entered according to instructions.
- Additional information (Instructions for app review): "To use the app, the reviewer simply needs to purchase a subscription. There is no other way to access the content. This procedure has been in place for years."
- Despite correct declaration and new uploads (including ALL test tracks), the warning persists.
- A new appeal is not possible.
a) When that didn't help, the text in the "Additional information" (Instructions for app review) was adjusted, and several promo codes for a subscription were provided, as reviewers apparently can no longer purchase a subscription themselves these days.
After submitting the change, I received the same warning as at the beginning.
b) Following that, we created a fresh Gmail account specifically for Google testers and assigned it as a tester account with a test card for the app. The credentials for the new Gmail account were entered in the "Additional information" (Instructions for app review), and the change was submitted again.
The response was again the same, and the warning still persists even after several hours.
The new review process seems to have significant problems dealing with such situations.
As a developer I feel helpless facing the entire new review process, and troubleshooting consumes enormous resources.
My question:
What can be done to prevent the impending deactivation on Google Play?
Has anyone had similar experiences or tips on how I can proceed before my app is removed?