I was just watching the July 2024 Google Policy Updates video and around 2:00 they mention “Apps that are static content without any interaction or app-specific functionalities will no longer be allowed.”
My version of the companion app is currently a single activity that shows my brand, some static text on the screen describing the purpose of the app, an “install on watch” button, a “read more on the website” button, and an “uninstall this app” button. I’ve seen a few other versions of the watch companion app and many of them are similar (and also static content).
Does anyone have any better or more detailed information about whether or not this policy update will affect our watch face companion apps? Are the install/uninstall buttons enough “app-specific functionality” to keep us from being marked as “spam”?
I have updated around 30 watchfaces with companion app source code shared by Bredlix.
before min SDK 33 requirements started.
I have not recieved a single rejection on these 30 watchfaces. And i have sent yesterday update of a watchface only and companion app remains same its still under review. Which i hopefully expect to be approved without any issues with companion app
We will require developers offering the following services to register as an Organization: financial, health, VPN, and government products and services. This is to promote transparency and continuity of critical and sensitive services. This update will be rolled out to new developer accounts first. Existing developers will receive more information this year.
The following rights are considered to be covered by sensitive health-related data (not an exhaustive list):
If you request any of these permissions, your app must clearly disclose how it uses user data, describe the type of data that will be accessed, and obtain explicit consent user’s consent to the use of that data. You can see the full list of Android permissions and corresponding descriptions on the Android Developers site.
Health features in the app
Your app uses the android.permission.BODY_SENSORS permission and must meet the Health Apps policy requirements. If your app doesn’t have any health-related features, remove this permission from your app’s manifest
So the watch face developer must also register as an organization?
