Visibility in Google Play

D

DouglasNYoung

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Hi wise ones,
I have an app which allows users to make calls and send texts, and won't show up on Google Play for Tablets without phone functionality!
There is of course lots of other functionality that Tablet users could be using and the phone functionality is nice to have, but not necessary!
How can I therefore make the app available to both Phones and Tablets, without having to create a separate app without the call/text modules?
I kind of guess the Manifest File might hold a clue, since it reads
B4X: 
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE"/>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE"/>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE"/>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CALL_PHONE"/>
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SEND_SMS"/>
but can't see the answer!

Thanks in advance,
Douglas
 
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NJDude

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You have to make modifications to your Manifest, for example, the line below will make the phone feature not "mandatory", so, devices without phone capabilities will see your app.
B4X: 
AddManifestText(<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.telephony" android:required="false" />)
 
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D

DouglasNYoung

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Thanks NJDide,
One clarification, please.
Does it matter where/when the line is inserted in the Manifest file?

Thanks,
Douglas
 
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IanMc

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Yippeee! A-tablets here I come, a tablets here I come ...

Haha! he called you NJDide

heeee... anyway, ahem,

Does this look about right for my manifest file with your inclusion?
B4X: 
'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: http://www.b4x.com/forum/showthread.php?p=78136
AddManifestText(
<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="4" android:targetSdkVersion="14"/>
<supports-screens android:largeScreens="true" 
    android:normalScreens="true" 
    android:smallScreens="true" 
    android:anyDensity="true"/>
<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.telephony" android:required="false"/>)
SetApplicationAttribute(android:icon, "@drawable/icon")
SetApplicationAttribute(android:label, "$LABEL$")
'End of default text.

? Cheers for the tip!!!!
 
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IanMc

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Well I've bunged the new version up there and it says it's added something like 308 more devices

I think we have to thank DouglasNYoung for his well-formed and nicely written request.

Cheers DouglasNYoung!

and of course NJDude for his knowledge

:sign0142:
 
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luke2012

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I add this line to my manifest file but users cannot find my app in Play Store.
Any Ideas about this ?
 
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MotoMusher

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You have to find the feature that's the problem. Nexus 7 for example doesn't think it has a camera for example since it is front facing not rear facing. It could be any one of your permissions. Phone is just one of many possibilities. Solution is the same, just have to find the right line, and make sure it isn't actually required for the app. Also remember to check the feature in you code since you are no longer making it mandatory. If there is no flash for the camera for example, you will crash when you call flash code.
 
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luke2012

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Thanks for your reply !
I checked the app's permissions and I found a new jelly bean permission :

READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

How I can make it not mandatory ?
 
Last edited:
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luke2012

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Hi Erel,
the complete list of permission that my app needs :

READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
CAMERA
GET_TASKS
WRITE_SETTINGS
INTERNET
WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
BATTERY_STATS
GET_ACCOUNTS
ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
WAKE_LOCK
KILL_BACKGROUND_PROCESSES

At the moment if I search my app with my Galaxy Tab 2 (10"), the app cannot be found on the market.
Which could be the filter about this ?
 
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MotoMusher

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My guess it is camera, since it is front facing from the specs I just saw. Nexus 7 doesn't show camera apps since it does not have a rear facing camera.

Try this in the manifest and see if it shows up. It's there in my app only because of Nexus 7.

<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera" android:required="false"/>
 
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luke2012

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Before of all.... Thanks for you reply!

For sure the Galaxy Tab 2 have a camera on the back of the device.
I don't remember if there is a front camera, I'll check.

Why you suspect that tha filter permission is Camera ?
 
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luke2012

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1) In this case the problem is on Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1".
So I have to check the hardware details in order to understand if the camera permission could be a problem.

2) the other issue regarding that my app use the camera to take pics : so in this case if I put <android:required="false"> there is a app crash ?
 
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luke2012

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The statement : <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera" android:required="false"/> is the solution!
Now Google Play says "700" devices added to the list and if I try to search my app with my Galaxy Tab 2 I can find it!

Thank you very much for your answers !
 
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