Android Auto support when media3 library used in app for playback

[kosciolekj]

Hi
We have an application for VoIP calls and functionality that allows you to listen to recorded voice messages. For this purpose we use the media3 library.
We also want to support Android Auto (to be able to receive incoming calls when Android Auto is enabled), so we added a declaration in the AndroidManifest.xml file such as:

<meta-data
            android:name="com.google.android.gms.car.application"
            android:resource="@xml/automotive_app_desc" />

where automotive_app_desc.xml is declared as:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<automotiveApp>
    <uses name="notification" />
</automotiveApp>

Service responsible for playback is declared like:

<service
            android:name=".player.PlaybackService"
            android:exported="true"
            android:foregroundServiceType="mediaPlayback">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="androidx.media3.session.MediaSessionService" />
            </intent-filter>
        </service>

We encounter issues during the deploy to Google Play like:

Issue found: Category not permitted
At this time, we are only accepting apps within the Media, short form Messaging, or categories supported by the Android for Cars App Library. Media apps that use TSS engine readout for content are not permitted at this time.

The app must not include features outside the app types intended for cars. For more information, see https://developer.android.com/training/cars#supported-app-categories

This is little problematic because we do not user TSS Engine so do you have any idea how to declare app, missing category in this case?

Not sure but I was thinking about something like that https://developer.android.com/media/implement/surfaces/cars#declare_support_for_Android-Auto + I found that some category should be declared but not sure if it should be inside intent filter inside android:name=".player.PlaybackService" or maybe it should be on level which have intent-filters declared or somewhere else? It's not well documented as far I know.

[marcbaechinger]

Thanks for your post.

Unfortunately I think we are not the right team to ask this question I'm afraid. We are not involved in this process and we also are not app developers that are used to go through that Play process.

We are aware that there are some issue with custom error message that create problems with Auto apps on Play (#543).

I can give you my thoughts, and leave this issue open for a while so other users that are experienced in these processes can hopefully help.

I found that some category should be declared but not sure if it should be inside intent filter inside

From the rejection message and the link https://developer.android.com/training/cars#supported-app-categories I think this isn't a technical category , but the app category under which you listed your app on Play.

Can you check whether your app is under one of the categories listed by the link above?

[marcbaechinger]

Closing due to inactivity.