Android Question Push Notifications, B4A 12.0 and Advertising ID permission

[Andrew (Digitwell)]

I am just updating an old app to API 33.

The app uses Push Notifications.

The build etc is fine but when I upload to Google Play for release I get the following message

I checked the built Manifest.xml and it contains this line:

    <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID"/>

I do not want to use an Advertising ID in this app. Is this now a requirement when using Push Notifications?

If not, how can I remove.

My Manifest is quite simple.

Spoiler: Manifest code

'This code will be applied to the manifest file during compilation.
'You do not need to modify it in most cases.
'See this link for for more information: https://www.b4x.com/forum/showthread.php?p=78136
AddManifestText(
<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="14" android:targetSdkVersion="33"/>
<supports-screens android:largeScreens="true"
android:normalScreens="true"
android:smallScreens="true"
android:anyDensity="true"/>)
SetApplicationAttribute(android:icon, "@drawable/icon")
SetApplicationAttribute(android:label, "$LABEL$")
CreateResourceFromFile(Macro, Themes.LightTheme)
'End of default text.


'Icon

SetApplicationAttribute(android:icon, "@mipmap/ic_launcher")
CreateResource(mipmap-anydpi-v26, ic_launcher.xml,
<adaptive-icon xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<background android:drawable="@mipmap/background"/>
<foreground android:drawable="@mipmap/foreground"/>
</adaptive-icon>
)


'Set up keyboard handling for scrolling
SetActivityAttribute(Main, android:windowSoftInputMode, adjustResize|stateHidden)
'**************************************


CreateResourceFromFile(Macro, FirebaseAnalytics.GooglePlayBase)
CreateResourceFromFile(Macro, FirebaseAnalytics.Firebase)
CreateResourceFromFile(Macro, FirebaseNotifications.FirebaseNotifications)

'*****************ANDROID PUSH NOTIFICATIONS ********************
AddPermission(android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS)
'****************************************************************

 

[Erel]

You can remove it by adding RemovePermission(com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID) at the end of the manifest editor.

It is added by Firebase SDK. I do not know whether removing it will break anything.

 

[Andrew (Digitwell)]

I have taken the decision to leave it for now and declare that it is used for Analytics.

 

[asales]

Very strange.
I checked all my apps and they have this permission too in the manifest (and mostly was update in the last month).

<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID"/>

I changed one this apps to use the SDK target = 33 and uploaded to the Play Store, using the B4A 12.2 to test.
I checked that the app don't use Advertising ID in the content of Play Console.
The upload is fine. I don't received this error message about Advertising ID.

 

[Andrew (Digitwell)]

Take a look on your play console at the App Content section. Scroll down to the Advertising ID. How do you have it set? I had to declare the use of an advertising ID.

 

[asales]

Edit:
I updated another app - using the API = 33 - and get the same error as yours.
I will try with the RemovePermission.

app não usa um ID de publicidade = app don't use advertising ID

and they has the permission.AD_ID in the manifest:

 

[Computersmith64]

If you're using Analytics or Crashlytics removing the AD_ID permission might stop data collection & reporting: https://support.google.com/firebase/answer/6318039?hl=en

- Colin.

 

[asales]

If you're using Analytics or Crashlytics removing the AD_ID permission might stop data collection & reporting: https://support.google.com/firebase/answer/6318039?hl=en

- Colin.

Thanks Colin. This information is very useful.