It is indisputable that quality and functionality are the main reason for an app’s success. In today’s digital world, the average mobile user spends a quarter of their day on their mobile device. During this time, they spend 90% of the time on apps.
When it comes to mobile apps, Android is by far the leader. The Google Play Store boasts nearly 3.5 million functioning apps to download, making it the largest application repository in the world. Android has become increasingly meticulous and dedicated to ensuring only the highest user experience to Play Store users. In fact, roughly 55% of the total apps submitted for review never make it to the Play Store for public downloading.
Google’s Android’s approval process for Google Play Store is something every app developer should know. This is fundamental to ensure that the money and work put into launching an app doesn’t go to waste. In this regard, Android Google makes it easy to understand why some applications don’t make the cut. Let’s dive into the top six.
1. Bug-ridden or Unfinished Versions
It is no secret that Google and the Android team employ some of the best engineers in the world. Their demanding standards ensure that only the highest quality applications make it to the Play Store. Inaccurate or misleading information, as well as bugs and incomplete apps, contribute to a big percentage of the total rejections. Some of the factors that make an app complete are a built-in support link, version history, company information, and documentation.
How to Avoid This?
One way to ensure that your app is complete and bug-free is by investing in comprehensive testing to ensure all bugs are taken care of before submission. Underestimating small bugs can result in time-consuming resubmissions and launch delays. Carefully review Android’s Document for App Developers to ensure all the information and content in your app is tested and correct.
2. Carefully Test and Fix – App Crashes
App crashes are also responsible for an application’s failure to make the cut. All major application repositories have a low tolerance for app crashes. Therefore, making sure your app runs smoothly before submission is key.
How to Avoid This?
A great solution to this problem are repetitive testing and a practice called “regression.” An app needs to be tested in different scenarios to identify potential small bugs and crashes. This means testing your application on several devices instead of just one. Luckily, major quality assurance and testing companies have a multitude of consoles and devices in their arsenal to conduct extensive testing across platforms.
3. Inconsistent User Experience
Though Apple has stricter interface guidelines, Android’s shouldn’t be underestimated either. One of the reasons why some apps don’t make it to the Play Store is because of poor or inconsistent interface. It is of crucial importance that your application is tested vigorously on different platforms to ensure it is flawless and functional before submission.
How to Avoid This?
Ensure that you follow Android’s human interface guidelines. With Android, you’re lucky to have more freedom with interface designs, unlike Apple. However, ensuring your app follows all interface guidelines is a must.
4. Long Loading Times
Would you spend seconds waiting for an app to load? The ideal loading time of a mobile app is just two seconds. According to VMware’s Aptiligent division, about 48 percent of consumers will delete or stop using an app if it is slow. Apps that take longer than this amount of time to load are usually pretty good candidates for rejection.
How to Avoid This?
One way to avoid this problem altogether is by designing apps that value simplicity and functionality at their core. As mentioned earlier, testing vigorously across platform is another way to ensure everything works and flow perfectly. Applications that perform too many functions but have glitches or take longer to load have higher chances of being rejected.
5. Intellectual Property Infringement
As you may guess, Google’s position on intellectual property rights makes it clear that any application impeaching on IP rights (such as trademark, patent, or copyright) will not make it on the Play Store. Similarly, impersonating a brand or existing app will also result in a ban upon submission.
It is imperative that your app needs a fulfills a unique function or delivers a unique experience, also called unique selling proposition (USP). There are exceptions, however: if you partnered with an existing app, you can show documentation upon submission in order to be accepted on the Play Store
6. Neglecting User Privacy
Android wants to “build the world’s most trusted source for apps and games.” So, not valuing your users’ personal data can be a very costly mistake. Confidentiality is at the heart of the matter for major application providers. Following Android’s User Data and Privacy Policies are therefore a must for every application trying to make it on the Play Store. You should never access user information without informing the user in clear and explicit terms, as this can have harmful consequence on the submission and overall success of your app.
How to Avoid This?
Be as clear and upfront as possible about the permissions and information your app requires. It is always good practice to allow users to choose the data they are willing to share with you and which they aren’t. It is also best to avoid sharing and capturing personal user information without notifying the user.
Ready for Launch
These are just some of the reasons why apps may be rejected by the Play Store. There are many more criteria that could cause your app to be rejected, including copyright infringement, similarity to other applications, usage of private APIs, external payment gateways, and others. An experienced testing and Quality Assurance Services provider like GlobalStep can help you navigate successfully through Android’s guidelines as well as support you in conducting comprehensive QA and testing to ensure your application is free of bugs, maximizing your chances of approval and success in the Play Store.
