Google Play package visibility policy: fixes and checks
By The Draftbit team · Updated
Sources checked
This guide is for Google Play apps querying installed applications, including those declaring QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES.
The list of apps on a device is sensitive information. Google restricts broad visibility to eligible core functionality and expects targeted queries where they can meet the task.
Identify which apps you need to see
Inspect QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES, manifest queries, and alternative discovery methods. We’d ask whether the feature needs every installed app or only a known set of compatible handlers.
Narrow the query and its use
Replace broad access with scoped visibility where possible. Broad-access eligibility requires the actual app purpose and current declaration requirements. Other methods of approximating the same full inventory are also restricted. Installed-app data can’t be sold or shared for analytics or advertising monetization.
Test the required integrations and inspect data sent to other services. Give Google the query scope, core interaction, and final manifest. Removing the permission while recreating the same prohibited inventory through another method doesn’t resolve the policy.
Messages this guide can help with
Package visibility; Package visibility policy violation; Package visibility rejection; Package visibility denied
Official sources
We checked these instructions against the sources below. The console layout may change, and your review decision may call for different steps.
- Google Play: Package visibility Checked 22 September 2026