Guideline
Launcher5 — Google Play Store Permissions Guide
How to use this document: Open each Play Console declaration form and copy the text from the grey boxes below into the matching fields. Do not remove the permissions listed as required unless you are willing to remove the related app features.
1. Permissions Summary — Remove or Keep?
| Permission | Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE | Already removed on Play | Not included in Play release build. Only in GitHub/Nightly builds. |
| QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES | Do NOT remove | Required for app drawer, search, and launching installed apps (core launcher function). |
| BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE | Do NOT remove | Used for optional home-screen gestures (Notifications, Quick Settings, Recents, lock screen). |
| READ_MEDIA_IMAGES | Do NOT remove | Used by built-in Gallery app to browse photos on device. |
| READ_MEDIA_VIDEO | Do NOT remove | Used by built-in Gallery app to browse videos on device. |
| USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT | Do NOT remove | Used by built-in Clock app to show full-screen alarm when alarm fires. |
2. Photo and Video Permissions
Play Console section: App content → Photo and video permissions
READ_MEDIA_IMAGES — Paste this text:
Launcher5 includes a built-in Gallery where users browse photos on their device. This permission is used only when the user opens Gallery. Photos are processed locally on the device and are not uploaded to our servers.
READ_MEDIA_VIDEO — Paste this text:
Launcher5 includes a built-in Gallery where users browse videos on their device. This permission is used only when the user opens Gallery. Videos are processed locally on the device and are not uploaded to our servers.
3. Full-Screen Intent Permission
Play Console section: App content → Full-screen intent
Question: What is the core functionality of your app?
Select: Alarm clock
Optional extra explanation (if asked):
Launcher5 includes a built-in Clock with alarms. When an alarm fires, the app uses a full-screen intent to show the alarm screen on the lock screen so the user can snooze or dismiss the alarm.
4. Accessibility Services
Play Console section: App content → Accessibility services
Question: Why does your app need to use the AccessibilityServices API? Select all that apply.
Select ONLY:
- ☑ App functionality
Do NOT select: Analytics, Advertising or marketing, Developer communications (unless form requires otherwise)
Description / instructions (paste if asked):
Launcher5 uses Accessibility Service only when the user manually enables optional home-screen gestures (e.g., open Notifications, Quick Settings, Recents, or lock screen). The service does not read screen content, collect personal data, or send data to our servers. It only performs system actions chosen by the user in Settings.
Steps for Google reviewers (paste if asked):
1. Install Launcher5 and set it as default home app.
2. Open Settings → Gestures (or Home screen gestures).
3. Enable a gesture such as "Swipe down → Notifications".
4. Grant Accessibility permission when prompted.
5. Return to home screen and perform the gesture to verify it opens Notifications.
Is your app an accessibility tool? Select No
5. Query All Packages
Play Console section: App content → Query all packages
Core purpose — Paste this text:
Launcher5 is an Android home-screen launcher. Its core purpose is to display, search, organize, and launch apps installed on the user's device. Querying installed packages is essential to show the app drawer, home screen shortcuts, universal search, and widget/app picker with the user's installed applications.
Category (if asked): Select Device search or the closest match to launcher / app discovery.
6. Other Play Console Declarations (Quick Reference)
| Declaration | Your Answer |
|---|---|
| All files access (MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) | No — not used in Play release |
| Does your app contain ads? | Yes — Google AdMob |
| Is this a launcher / home app? | Yes |
| Accessibility tool app | No |
| Target audience includes children under 13 | No (unless you specifically target children) |
7. Other Permissions in Play Release (Normal — No Special Form)
| Permission | Used For |
|---|---|
| READ_CONTACTS, CALL_PHONE, READ_CALL_LOG, SMS | Built-in Phone app |
| CAMERA | QuickScan (QR scanner) |
| SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM / USE_EXACT_ALARM | Clock alarms |
| POST_NOTIFICATIONS | Alarms and app notifications |
| AD_ID | AdMob advertising |
| READ_MEDIA_AUDIO | Gallery / media features |
| PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS | Launcher and recents functionality |
8. Optional — Remove Permissions Only If You Remove Features
| If you remove this feature | Permission removed | Play form avoided |
|---|---|---|
| Gallery app | READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, READ_MEDIA_VIDEO | Photo and video permissions form |
| Clock alarm full-screen | USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT | Full-screen intent form |
| Home-screen gesture handlers | Accessibility service | Accessibility form |
| App drawer / app search | QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES | Query all packages form |
Recommendation: Keep all permissions and fill the Play Console forms. Removing these permissions will break core Launcher5 features. MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is already excluded from the Play Store build.
9. After Filling Forms — Checklist
- Save each declaration in Google Play Console.
- Build release variant: lawnWithQuickstepPlayRelease
- Generate signed App Bundle (.aab).
- Upload to Play Console → Production or Testing track.
- Complete Data safety form (declare Firebase Analytics, AdMob, device ID, app interactions).
- Add Privacy Policy URL (required).
- Submit for review.
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