Publishing an app on Google Play can seem like an irreversible decision. Many developers have discovered that completely removing an app from the platform is not straightforward once an app is live.
Why Do People Ask?
Many developers find that even unpublished, obsoleted apps continue to receive Google Play Developer Programme Policy warnings from time to time. The warning message can sometimes be scary, as Google Play claims to take action.
This can happen to both never-published apps and old unpublished apps, leading to confusion about whether apps can ever be completely removed from Google Play for our peace of mind.
Why Can’t We Remove Apps Completely?
The Official Reply
Reddit users have shared screenshots of emails from Google Play Developer Support explaining that apps cannot be fully deleted from Google Play.
Under normal circumstances, the only option is to unpublish the app, which means it remains in our developer account and is accessible to users who have already downloaded it.
Relevant Terms in the Developer Distribution Agreement
The Developer Distribution Agreement outlines the limitations on removing apps:
- Section 8.1: Removing Your Products from future distribution via Google Play does not
(a) affect the rights of users who have previously purchased or downloaded Your Products;
(b) remove Your Products from Devices or from any part of Google Play where previously purchased or downloaded applications are stored on behalf of users; or
(c) change Your obligation to deliver or support Products or services that have been previously purchased or downloaded by users.
These sections make it clear that while we can stop new users from downloading our app, existing users retain access to it, and we have to honour support and refund requests.
Exceptions
There are certain conditions under which an app can be removed entirely from Google Play:
Legal Issues
The app can be removed entirely if it is involved in legal issues, such as infringement claims.
Violations/Risks
Google has the authority to remove apps that violate laws or pose significant risks.
Additional Cases That Might Lead To App Removal from Google Play
Failed Account Verification
If our Google Play developer account was created before September 2023 and we do not complete verification before our chosen deadline, our Developer Profile and apps may be removed from Google Play.
Dormant Accounts
Developer accounts that become inactive or abandoned may also be deleted with their apps. Dormant accounts are not in good standing as the Developer Distribution Agreement requires.
💡 I have not seen people mentioning either case publicly, but this can happen theoretically.
Conclusion
While we can unpublish an app from Google Play, completely removing it from the platform, especially for existing users, is generally impossible except under specific legal or policy-violation circumstances.
I have a long list of unpublished apps I no longer maintain, and I keep receiving automated policy violation warnings from Google Play. So far, it is still safe for me not to take any actions, as at most Google Play will not allow me to release any app updates, which I do not intend to do.
While we now understand that under the agreement we cannot simply remove the apps from Google Play, I hope one day they improve the warning messages so that we know it is fine to leave the unpublished apps there, even if they no longer meet the latest Google Play policies, as long as we are not planning to republish them.
