1. Google Play and HTML based
Mobile apps
By Saptarshi Katwala - sknj24@gmail.com
GDG Chicago Android
July 17, 2013
2. Certain HTML, CSS Mobile Apps have been rejected by Play for
not offering a substantial native experience
This has led to the in-correct belief that all HTML, CSS or
PhoneGap wrapped Mobile apps will be rejected
This presentation highlights red-flags that can potentially get an
HTML based Mobile app rejected
Objective
3. Play rejects mobile applications
that do not:
Offer experience that feels
like an “app” on the Tablet
or Smart Phone
Offer a differentiation from a
mobile web experience
CSS HTML Mobile apps in Play
4. The following designs will usually get
rejected
If your app is just a web site wrapped in
Web view
If your app requires the user to
pinch/zoom
If your app just looks like text on a page
with hyperlinks, and has no native-like
styles
Websites wrapped in WebViews
5. Apps inciting violence, hate, pornography,
gambling, illegal activities
Repetitive content; Product descriptions that are
misleading
Apps created by an automated tool or wizard still
need to be submitted by the developer, not the
operator of that automation tool.
Apps that drive affiliate traffic to a website or
that provide links to a website that is not the
developer’s own.
Apps that send automated SMS or email
messages without confirming first with users.
Usual Suspects
6. make changes to the functioning of the user’s device outside the
ad
simulate or impersonate system notifications or warnings
force the users to submit personal information for advertising
purposes to access the app.
Ads within Apps Must Not..
7. All transactions related to Google Play apps or in-app purchases
must use Google’s own payment system,
An app cannot have a name or icon that appears “confusingly
similar” to existing products, or those supplied with the device.
Miscellaneous
9. Andrew Trice – Phone Gap Evangelist
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/phonegap/articles/apple-
application-rejections-and-phonegap-advice.html
Google Play Developer guidelines
https://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html
References