I still have the same situation here.
@r.liechty_SDR Any new predictions for maintenance to be completed?
1 Like
I don’t know if they finished what they wanted to finish or not.
They didn’t start this until Saturday and may not have finished yet if they ran into any troubles.
The notice said
The duration of the suspension is subject to change, depending on the server maintenance progress.
Ron
Samsung Developer Relations
1 Like
How about fully free games/app without D-U-N-S Number? Basically, I have no any revenue on my games so have IAP or not is the same. Just fee games, do I need to have D-U-N-S Number?
To publish Android Apps on Galaxy Store you must now have a Corporate Commercial account. (Corporate meaning some sort of business even a single person) . There are no exceptions.
Ron
Samsung Developer Relations
Hi, as I see we are still having the same problem:
The notice said
The duration of the suspension is subject to change, depending on the server maintenance progress.
This is understandable but the original notice said it would take only 9 hours on the same day, if it is taking way more than that (several days now) we would appreciate an updated notice with new estimated dates.
It is quite clear that Samsung instead of putting the needed effort (read money) in keeping its store clear of garbage apps, hopes to solve the problem by removing small independent developers from the equation.
Statements like “I expect most legitimate Android sellers can still sell on Play Store. Those that can’t sell on Play Store bring to question my belief that they legitimate developers and not just ad ware or other scams.” makes me ask why this store exists and why we put the needed effort to cross publish our apps trying to reach a wider audience (without much luck by the way given the percentage of installs I can see from Google Play compared with this store).
No, we are not a “side effect of Covid”, we are producing value to the Samsung store (and the Samsung ecosystem in general) and it is a pity to be kicked out. I remember that at the beginning it was put big emphasis on the possibility to publish here apps using special technologies implemented on Samsung devices, but probably this decision is also part of the late lack of differentiation of Samsung products from other Android devices.
1 Like
Thank you for clarifying my point. The only sellers this affects are those that cannot publish on Play Store and for those that sell on Play Store it has minimal effect.
I understand that there are some sellers that did put extra effort into developing apps especially for Samsung devices and I sympathize with you and others.
In any case I do value your opinion those that agree with me and those that don’t. I pass your opinions on to management.
Ron
Samsung Developer Relations
I feel your pain. I am from a 3rd world country and have been developing apps and Tizen watch faces since Gear s2 was a thing. Unlike you, it’s my hobby, I started as “What could possibly go wrong if I publish a design I did for my own use”. Due to the overwhelming positive response, it quickly became my side business. I had over a million watch face downloads including free and paid watch faces, I got nothing but praise and 5 star reviews on all my designs. Recommended by YouTuberes in Top 10 watch faces (that one shocked me and didn’t made me cry…nope). Few even sent me emails to thank me and told wholesome stories how my watch faces are loved or used by someone who have some impairments.
Unfortunately, the success of Samsung smart watch meant doom for us, Samsung no longer needed us small developers who put all the time, energy and resources into building our small business and indirectly made the Samsung watch an attractive kit for an average consumer. We brought attention to the watch running on a banal OS no sane developer was willing to touch. We got repaid by Samsung by getting banned from ever publishing watch faces on their store. Despite my numerous attempts to regain my licence, I was always shun by Samsung in corporate lingo of its not you it’s us and we have limited openings.
Now the history repeats itself. Samsung has become strong alternative to Google Play store because we small developers were able to publish apps and indirectly strengthened the Samsung eco system. Samsung no longer need a small independent developer because big tech are pushing apps on Samsung store, even timed exclusives. So time to kick off that small developer who is sitting in a corner of their room in some remote country. Because Samsung has leeched out all the potential they had.
I am sorry for myself and all those small talented creators such as yourself you have supported Samsung for years and was never appreciated rather got shut due to Samsung coarse attitude towards their small long-term supporters. Our talents would be servers best else were until Samsung realise that if you find a mouldy tree in a forest you don’t burndown the whole forest and build a skyscraper over the land and learn that they need us, our apps, our watch faces, our themes our support, and our money. We don’t need them.
@Viseware
Tizen Developers do not need to have a DUNS verification.
The only Watch Face designers that were removed did not adhere to the Seller Portal Terms of service so in fact they left Samsung, Samsung did not leave them.
Galaxy Store was never meant to be an alternative to Play Store as @gsw said the downloads from Galaxy Store are minimal at best.
I understand that there may be some sellers that have a legitimate reason and for them the Galaxy Store is necessary, but they are extremely rare. All legitimate sellers should be extremely pleased that their apps can now be found and sold on Galaxy Store.
Ron
Samsung Developer Relations
We surely appreciate your frankness, but in your role I would not insist defining the Galaxy Store as a store with minimal downloads and extremely rare legitimate reasons to be used by developers. 
I guess anyway these are not the same arguments that you use when onboarding big companies…
Hello, I only joined this thread because I don’t know how I did it, but I came across a DUNS page where apparently we can register for free and obtain the holy number, here is the link to register:
Garbage apps can published from company, not only from small independent developers. Instead of spending effort helping store less garbage from small independent developers(just like Google, Apple, Amazon… are doing now), Samsung decide remove all of games/app from small independent developers what maybe can reduce right away ~50% games/app on store. And we will see how many garbage games/apps and how many high quality games/app was removed from galaxy store soon. Will see
Apple uses the same method of requiring a DUNS verification for their sellers and is just doing the same cleaning up as other online stores. The intention is to do as you say. Get rid of low quality garbage apps that so higher quality apps are showcased better.
There are many benefits in being a business and acquiring a DUNS number. But there very many reasons not to do so if you are not a legitimate seller.
Ron
Samsung Developer Relations
Hi @r.liechty_SDR, can we have some update about this?
Not sure Apple require for new developer account or not but for sure they don’t require for old developer account and not remove any games apps if not update DUNS. The same for other online store. If you have any info about other store require DUNS, could you please send me some URL from their official website to know? Thanks
Correct, I still have an Apple Developer Account from 1990’s 
Apple only requires it for commercial sellers and Samsung is only publishing commercial sellers now.
Ron
Samsung Developer Relations
1 Like
I’ll ask but I think it is more complicated than they thought. Everything in the Seller Portal seems to be triple complicated because of privacy regulations.
Ron
Yes, you need to update to commercial seller and add a DUNS number even for free android apps.
1 Like
