Play Store Advertising ID Declaration for Android 13

Problem

When releasing an Android app targeting Android 13 (API 33) on the Google Play Store, you may encounter this 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."

This warning blocks your app release even after adding the required permission to your AndroidManifest.xml file.

Solution

Resolving this issue requires both a code change and a declaration in the Google Play Console.

1. Update AndroidManifest.xml

Add the advertising ID permission to your android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml:

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    package="your.package.name">
    
    <!-- Other permissions -->
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
    
    <!-- Advertising ID permission (choose one option below) -->
    
    <!-- Option 1: If you use AD_ID (for ads, analytics, or Firebase) -->
    <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID"/>
    
    <!-- Option 2: If you DON'T use AD_ID at all -->
    <uses-permission 
        android:name="com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID" 
        tools:node="remove"/>
    
    <application>
        <!-- Your application configuration -->
    </application>
</manifest>

WARNING

Even if you're not directly using advertising in your app, many Google libraries (like Firebase Analytics, Google Analytics, or Crashlytics) use the Advertising ID internally. Check if your dependencies require it before using the tools:node="remove" option.

2. Complete Play Console Declaration

Updated Play Console Navigation (2024)

1. Open Google Play Console and select your app
2. Navigate to: Monitor and improve → Policy and programs → App content
3. Select the Actioned tab
4. Scroll down to find the Advertising ID section
5. Click Manage to update your declaration

Declaration Options

When completing the form:

• Select Yes if:

  • Your app displays ads
  • You use Google Analytics
  • You use Firebase Analytics or Crashlytics
  • Any of your dependencies use the Advertising ID

• Select No only if you're certain no part of your app or its dependencies uses the Advertising ID

TIP

If you're using Firebase services, you must declare advertising ID usage. According to Google's documentation, the Firebase Android SDK collects the Advertising ID.

3. Handle "Need Attention" Tab

If you still see the warning after submitting your declaration:

1. Check the Need Attention tab in App content
2. Look for any pending Declaration for Advertising ID
3. Click the Start Declaration button if present
4. Complete the declaration process

DANGER

You cannot release apps targeting Android 13 until you complete all required declarations in both the "Actioned" and "Need Attention" tabs.

Common Scenarios

Using Google Ads or Firebase

If your app uses advertising or Firebase services:

1. Add the AD_ID permission to AndroidManifest.xml (without tools:node="remove")
2. Declare "Yes" in the Play Console form
3. Select "Analytics" as the usage reason if applicable

No Advertising or Google Services

If your app doesn't use any advertising-related services:

1. Add the AD_ID permission with tools:node="remove"
2. Declare "No" in the Play Console form

Verification

After completing both steps:

1. Create a new release bundle (flutter build appbundle)
2. Upload to Play Console
3. The warning should no longer block your release

The Advertising ID declaration is a one-time process per app, but you may need to update it if your app's functionality changes regarding advertising and analytics.