The Google Play Store is the largest and safest way to get Android devices apps for users. For that reason alone, developers are keen on getting their apps in the shop, but in a review process, Google must first examine those apps. Google has quietly improved the quantity of time it takes to go through the Play Store approval process for a fresh Android app over the previous week.
First noted by Choice of Games, this longer approval method seems to be being implemented by Google in the Play Store for new apps. When a new app is submitted, a banner appears where Google says it will “take more time to review” the app to “better protect[ its] users.”
This shift is useful for Google when it comes to stopping the potential for broad distribution in the Play Store from malware and other threats. There have been developers ‘ concerns, though. Most frustratingly, after the application has been submitted for approval, this banner appears. Google information on a help page that when submitting a new app, developers should include a buffer period of about three days.
Google didn’t offer this change adequate warning. Google mentioned in a April post that it would take more time for new developer accounts apps. The developer account has been in use since 2010 in this instance, however, and still saw a waiting period for approval of the app.
An Android Developer team member also took Reddit to clarify some worries about the issue further. He says that the review period may be accompanied by a “variety of factors.” One is a developer account with Google that is “still setting up a track record.” Reviews for established developers are still “quite fast.” XDA-Developers also points out that this change may affect “some developer accounts.”
If an app is impacted by this longer review period, Google will put an estimate on the developer dashboard for how long the method should take.
Note: For certain developer accounts, we’ll take more time to thoroughly review your app(s) to help better protect users. You’ll receive a notification on your app’s Dashboard about how long this should take. We recommend that you adjust your planning to include a buffer period of at least three days between submitting your app and going live.
