Play Store warning: You must complete the advertising ID declaration before you can release an app that targets Android 13 (API 33)

Question

I am trying to release a Flutter based Android app to the Play Store.

When I review my release in Play Store console, I have the following warning:

You must complete the advertising ID declaration before you can release an app that targets Android 13 (API 33). We'll use this declaration to provide safeguards in Play Console to accommodate changes to advertising ID in Android 13.

Apps targeting Android 13 or above and using advertising ID must include the com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID permission in the manifest.

I have followed the advice and added the following to my android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml:

    </application>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID"/>
</manifest>

When I 'flutter clean', create and upload a new bundle, I'm still getting the same warning. Does anyone know how to resolve this warning?

Note: I have incorporated Google Ads in my app using the google_mobile_ads plugin.

Luke

Britteny

Does this answer your question? I don't use ads in my flutter app then why this message is showing in my play console? – Ashwell

No that doesn't help me because I am using Ads and the answers from that link is for those not using Ads. That link may help @theCaptainXgod. Thanks for sharing. – Britteny

Answer 1

There are 2 steps that you have to follow to solve this problem.

1. add com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID permission in AndroidManifest.xml file.
2. Go to your Google Play Console select the app which you are trying to upload then on the left side go to Policy and programs -> App content then select Actioned tab, scroll down and find Advertising ID form fill this form by clicking on Manage button on right side.

So you have already done step 1. Now complete step 2 and upload your app again.

Bomb

Hey, can you help me too? I didnt even have ads but they ask for declaration & even though i saved it using NO, my app is not published – Curvilinear

@Curvilinear kindly post it as s separate question with details. – Bomb

If your app does not use "Advertising ID" then skip step 1 and jump to step 2... Select "No" on the provided form. – Buhr

The link for "App content" is now under Policy and programs all the way down in the menu. Look for a shield icon with the letter 'i' next to it. After clicking "App content", there are many "To do" items. Scroll down to Advertising ID and click Start. – Anyaanyah

I am not using any advertisement in my app. I have already select "No" radio option and still getting same message "Your app targets Android 13 (API 33) or above. You must declare the use of advertising ID in Play Console". Not working this solution for me. Thanks. – Cathleencathlene

If You have just marked "Does your app use advertising ID?" option to "NO" and then you will have to wait until Google reviews your submitted "No" answer, if this is approved by Google then you will be able to submit / publish your latest app version on google play console. – Cathleencathlene

Answer 2

--- UPDATE September 26th, 2023 ---

1. Go to your Google Play Console, select the app, then on the left choose Policy and Programs -> App content
   
2. Open tab Actioned
   
3. Scroll down to Advertising ID
4. Choose Manage, then

• No incase you do not use Advertising ID
• Or Yes if you (or apps you use) do, like Google Analytics or Firebase Analyicis
  

5. Only if you answered with Yes above, add the following line to your AndroidManifest.xml:

   <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID"/>
   

Nectarous

Just to be clear. I'm updating my app after two years. I have received this warning for the first time. I always show Ads through com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads, but this concept of "Advertising Id" is new to me so I guess I'm not using it. Should I answer "No" or "Yes" to this question? – Endeavor

@PabloAlfonso I think you are only using an Advertising ID in case you are using the Advertising ID API. --- Fore more info on Advertising ID, see the Advertising ID Help Page – Nectarous

This solved the issue for my Xamarin.Android app – Kurys

Important detail for me was: Google Analytics and Firebase Analytics use Advertising ID to say who is who. So even thou I do not have ads, I had to check I use it: support.google.com/firebase/answer/6318039?hl=en – Offertory

Must be old - because this area doesn't exist any more. – Tumefy

I am not using any advertisement in my app. I have already select "No" radio option and still getting same message "Your app targets Android 13 (API 33) or above. You must declare the use of advertising ID in Play Console". Not working this solution for me. Thanks. – Cathleencathlene

If You have just marked "Does your app use advertising ID?" option to "NO" and then you will have to wait until Google reviews your submitted "No" answer, if this is approved by Google then you will be able to submit / publish your latest app version on google play console. – Cathleencathlene

Answer 3

If you are using Firebase for Analytics or Crashlytics, we need to declare the use of ads as it it written in this link in the last paragraph https://support.google.com/firebase/answer/6318039?hl=en that the Android the SDK collects the Advertising ID.

1. First, you need to add this in your AndroidManifest.xml .

<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID"/>

2. Then, choose Yes for the section Does you app use advertising ID in the Actioned tab of App Content.

3. If you keep getting the same message even after you submitted the changes for Ads, you might have missed the Declaration for Advertising ID in the Need Attention tab of App Content. At the top of the declaration, is it written that you can't roll out releases with artifacts targeting Android 13 until you have completed this declaration. Click on Start Declaration blue button.

4. In the declaration, choose Yes for Does your app use advertising ID and check the checkbox for Analytics.

5. Lastly, submit the changes in the Changes Overview. Then, you won't get blocked by the same error message when you try to deploy again.

Misshape

I'm wondering why the Android Google analytics team decided to use the advertising ID instead of the App Set ID as Google recommends here support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/… – Aerugo

Answer 4

Some Google libraries use AD_ID internally. If you don't use any advertising in your app, you can add this to your manifest & the warning will be gone on your next release.

<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID" tools:node="remove"/>

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