Developers want to build safe, high-quality apps and get them into the hands of users as quickly and smoothly as possible. To help you build safer apps earlier and avoid policy complications, we are introducing a feature that will provide specific, in-context guidance on policies that impact your app, starting right as you code in Android Studio.
Overview
You can expect to see:
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Which policies may specifically apply to your app and short summary of the policy.
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A link to the full policy (which you should always review).
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Do's and Don'ts to avoid common policy compliance pitfalls.
Play Policy Insights in Android Studio helps you with early policy guidance to help you get through reviews quicker and more smoothly. Please note that it does not cover all policies, provide app review decisions, nor replace app reviews.
Remember, you should always review the full policy on the Policy Center to ensure compliance.
An example of what this may look like
What Google Play Developer Policies are included?
Our initial launch includes the Ads policy regarding Usage of Android Advertising ID and the Permissions and APIs that Access Sensitive Information policy for the following APIs and permissions:
- Accessibility API
- All Files Access Permission
- Exact Alarm Permission
- Location Permissions
- Full-Screen Intent Permission
- Health Connect by Android Permissions
- Package (App) Visibility Permission
- Photo and Video Permissions
- Request Install Packages Permission
- SMS and Call Log Permissions
- VPN Service
Timeline information
The feature is currently available as lint checks in the Android Studio Canary. We will continue to expand to a much wider range of Play policies later this year. This feature will be released in the Stable channel of Android Studio later this year.
How to get started
To get policy insights across your whole project, follow these steps:
1. From the code menu, click on Inspect for Play Policy Insights.
2. Select Whole project and click Analyze.
3. Review list of all relevant policies across your code base in the Inspections window.
Share your feedback
We are actively seeking feedback from developers before releasing it in the Stable channel of Android Studio later this year.