Google Play says your app needs a privacy policy: fix the Policy status warning
By Paul Cranmer, Founder · Last verified October 2026 · Google Play Console · Policy and programs → App content
Play Console flags a privacy policy problem in two places: the Policy status page and the App content checklist. Google's help text is specific: a privacy policy must comprehensively disclose how your app collects, uses and shares user data, name the types of parties it is shared with, and be available on an active URL that applies to your app and specifically covers user privacy. Apps that request sensitive permissions or data, and apps that target children, must link it on the store listing and inside the app, and apps that collect no personal data still submit one. This page walks the exact path and the checks.
Who this is for
- Developers with an Action required or Policy status warning naming the privacy policy
- Teams whose app was flagged after adding a permission such as location or contacts
- Anyone publishing a first app and blocked at App content
Not for
- Data safety form questions (that is a separate section, see the Data safety how-to)
- Prominent disclosure or runtime permission dialogs inside the app
What the platform requires
- Path: Policy and programs → App content → Privacy Policy → Start (or Manage if one exists) → enter the URL → save.
- The policy must comprehensively disclose how the app collects, uses and shares user data, and name the types of parties data is shared with.
- It must be available on an active URL, apply to your app, and specifically cover user privacy.
- Apps that request sensitive permissions or data, and apps targeting children, must link the policy on the store listing and inside the app; apps that access no personal or sensitive data must still submit one.
Get a live URL first
Mobile App is on our free path. Run the wizard, pick the SDKs the app ships, and paste the live HTTPS URL into App content. The page names the data, the uses, the third parties and a contact, which is what the help text asks for.
Get the privacy policy URL for your Android app (free)Step-by-step: paste your privacy policy URL
- Open the warning to see which app and which rule. Play Console → the app → Policy and programs → Policy status. The entry names the issue (privacy policy) and links to the fix.
- Create or repair the policy page. Use the wizard or edit your page so it discloses collection, use and sharing of user data, the types of parties data goes to, retention, and how to contact you. One active HTTPS URL that clearly belongs to this app.
- Enter the URL under App content. Policy and programs → App content → Privacy Policy → Start (or Manage). Paste the URL and save.
- Link the policy inside the app if it handles sensitive data or targets children. Add a Privacy Policy link in settings or about that opens the same URL. Google asks for the link on the listing and in the app in those cases.
- Resubmit and watch Policy status. Submit the change (a new release is not always needed). The warning clears after review; if it comes back, re-read the page for the missing disclosure, usually the parties data is shared with.
Field labels to look for
- Policy status
- Policy and programs → Policy status: every open issue with the app, including privacy policy.
- App content → Privacy Policy
- Start the first time, Manage afterwards; one URL per app.
- Store listing
- Shows the privacy policy link to users once saved.
Common reasons the form fails
- A policy that lists data but not who it is shared with
- A URL that stopped resolving after a site move
- A generic company policy that never mentions the app
- Children's app without the in-app link
FAQ
Where do I add the privacy policy in Play Console?
Policy and programs → App content → Privacy Policy → Start or Manage, paste the URL, save.
My app collects no data. Do I still need a policy?
Yes. Google's help text says apps that access no personal or sensitive user data must still submit a privacy policy.
Does the link have to be inside the app too?
For apps that request sensitive permissions or data, and for apps targeting children, Google asks for the link on the store listing and within the app.