Google play asking users for photo/media/file permissions and more despite being disabled in android manifest. Users getting mad!

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I just received a one star review for my phonegap/android app because google asked the user for photo/media/file permission before installing. They got pissed off because my app doesn't have anything to do with photos and they assumed my app was doing something malicious. A couple more reviews like this could sink my app before ever getting off the ground.

I removed all features from the android manifest and updated the app, but google still asks for permission to view photos/media/files when I test installing on my phone. Are these permissions required by phonegap or is there something I'm missing to disable these prompts? My app doesn't need any permissions for cameras, photos, gps etc.

Something else I can't figure out is why my tablet only asks for device id and call information while my phone asks for device id, call info, location and access to photos/media and files.

Is it possible with a phonegap app to have no permissions required when installing the app?

The app can be found here btw: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
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Myles English

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Posted 5 years ago

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Petra V., Champion

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Are you building locally, or do you use Phonegap Build (what this forum is about)?
In the latter case: add to your config.xml:

<preference name="permissions" value="none"/>

If the former, you'd better ask in Phonegap's Google Group, or at Stackoverflow.

BTW: how were the permissions set when you installed your app on your test devices before you decided to go live?
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Paul Bennett

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This is a PhoneGap "Champ"? Yet has no idea that this simpleminded solution DOES NOT WORK?
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JesseMonroy650 (Volunteer), Champion

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@Paul,
I'm not sure what your issue is. The person asking a question DID not give enough information. This forum is for Phonegap Build a cloud-based service by Adobe/Phonegap. Sure we have many ideas. But giving a wrong answer helps no one.

If you follow the thread, the person that place the Post originally is building locally then using Phonegap Build - because it seems to be the easiest way to get the signing keys working.

If you have a question, I suggest you ask on a new thread.
Jesse
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Paul Bennett

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OK "Champ", as you say "In the latter case: add to your config.xml" does not work, and as you say "Champ", "But giving a wrong answer helps no one." So please abstain from providing guesses in the future. You waste my time.
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JesseMonroy650 (Volunteer), Champion

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@Paul,
you can also try other forums, if this is not to your liking. Here is a list or alternate forums:

Forums that support Cordova/Phonegap

Adobe forum for Phonegap Build

FWIW: I'm on Stackoverflow and Google Group. And get your blood pressure checked.

Jesse
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Myles English

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Thanks Petra.

I build locally for test builds then with the Phonegap Build for live builds because it seems to be the easiest way to get the signing keys working.

Turns out the permissions are required by the phonegap media plugin even though I'm only playing audio.
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Alexandre Leite

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Myles, I am having the same problem. Although I need only the permissions below, when I build using Phonegap it requires all sort of permissions (write SD card, agenda access and so on). So, my app is being identified as non trustable by antivirus SW.

How have you managed this situation? Thanks in advance

What I really need as stated on my androidmanifest.xml is:
INTERNET
ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
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Myles English

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I found out that the audio plugin required a bunch of permissions that I didn't need, but were incorporated into the plugin. Like read/write media, when all I want to do is play an audio file.

I seem to recall some other permissions being asked for were from another plugin I had installed. I removed it.

So I couldn't really do anything. It also appears PhoneGap requires some permissions to run as well. It's a little frustrating as users can see it as potentially malicious.

Makes me consider learning Java for my next app.
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Alexandre Leite

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Thks Myles, in fact I have a similar problem since I need only a few permissions and I am not being able to remove all permissions asked by phonegap. Tried to change manifest and config.xml but no lucky.

Not sure if I am doing the right thing, but permissions are still required no matter what... Thks for your response.