Google Play Developer Program Policy Update

Please review Google Play Developer policy updates.

DEVELOPER UPDATE

Hello Google Play Developer,

We regularly update our policies as part of our commitment to making Google Play the safest and most trusted experience possible. You can find all the details of the latest changes to our policies, including their respective deadlines and additional resources, in our Policy Center.

Policy updates

You’ll have at least 30 days from today to update your app to comply with the policy changes below. For more details, go to the Policy Deadlines page.

We’re updating the Personal Loans policy to clarify that only Pakistan has limited exceptions for apps to provide short-term loans (less than 60 days) and in such cases, only in accordance with local laws and regulations.
We’re updating the Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Software Wallets policy to include a Help Center link that details select country-specific requirements.

Clarifications

Additionally, we’ve added clarifications to some of our existing policies. Because these changes aren’t new or updated, our enforcement standards and practices remain the same.

In our Permissions and APIs that Access Sensitive Information policy, we're announcing a clarification for Body Sensor Permissions and providing FAQs/guidance for general Android Health and Fitness Permissions. Driven by the transition to android.permission.health permissions in Android 16, this update clarifies requirements for accessing sensitive body sensor data (such as heart rate, SpO₂, and skin temperature).
In our AI-Generated Content policy, we’re adding a link to a new Help Center article with industry best practices in safeguarding generative AI apps.
We’re clarifying that the Content Ratings questionnaire considers only the app’s content and not ads, or any additional user agreements, or privacy practices. We’re also reiterating the Inappropriate Ads policy, which states that ad content must not be more mature than the app content itself.
We’re adding a Help Center FAQ link to the Impersonation policy.

Additional information

Starting August 27, 2025, apps subject to the updated News and Magazines policy must complete the News & Magazines declaration within Play Console.
Starting August 31, 2025, new apps and app update submissions must target Android 15 (API level 35). Existing apps must target Android 14 (API level 34) or higher to remain available to new users on devices running Android OS higher than your app’s target API level. If you need more time, you can request an extension in Play Console to extend your deadline to November 1, 2025. See more details in Target API level requirements. To save time and effort, you can use the new SDK Upgrade Assistant in Android Studio to upgrade your app to the new Android SDK.

A better policy experience, built with your feedback

To help you have smoother app reviews, we launched Play Policy Insights beta in Android Studio Canary release. This beta feature gives you rich, in-context guidance on policies that may impact your app through lint warnings. You’ll see policy summaries, dos and don'ts to avoid common pitfalls, and direct links to details. Check it out and let us know what you think.
To help you quickly grasp the essential points of our policies, we’ve started adding summaries to some policies in the Policy Center, like Device and Network Abuse and Permissions and APIs that Access Sensitive Information. We’ll continue adding more throughout the year. Each policy summary is intended to provide a helpful overview of the policy. Always review the full policy to ensure compliance.

Please review these policy updates carefully in case any of your apps are impacted. To learn more about how to comply with these changes:

Watch this PolicyBytes video which can also be found on our new PolicyBytes Hub.
Register for a Policy Webinar, available for multiple regions. Send in your questions in advance.
Ask questions or share best practices with fellow developers in the Google Play Developer Help Community.

If you have any questions, you can contact our team of business development support specialists here.

REVIEW UPDATES

Thank you,

Your Google Play team

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