Disclaimer: Policy summaries and Key Considerations are overviews only; always refer to the full policy for compliance. The full policy takes precedence in case of conflict.
Hostile Downloaders
Google Play prohibits "hostile downloaders"—apps that download other Mobile Unwanted Software (MUwS). An app is flagged as a hostile downloader if it's believed to be designed to spread MUwS or if at least 5% of its downloads are determined to be MUwS. This policy does not apply to major browsers or file-sharing apps, as long as they only download software with the user's explicit consent and initiation. Please review the full policy to ensure compliance.
Full Policy
Code that isn't in itself unwanted software, but downloads other mobile unwanted software (MUwS).
Code may be a hostile downloader if:
- There is reason to believe it was created to spread MUwS and it has downloaded MUwS or contains code that could download and install apps; or
- At least 5% of apps downloaded by it are MUwS with a minimum threshold of 500 observed app downloads (25 observed MUwS downloads).
Major browsers and file-sharing apps aren't considered hostile downloaders as long as:
- They don't drive downloads without user interaction; and
- All software downloads are initiated by consenting users.
Key Considerations
| Do | Don't |
| Ensure your app doesn’t include any code that spreads MUwS. | Don’t include any code in your app that spreads MUwS. |
| Monitor downloads to stay well below the 5% MUwS threshold. | Don’t Exceed the 5% MUwS threshold (25 MUwS per 500 downloads). |
| Ensure all app downloads are initiated by a consenting user, if your app's purpose is to download other files (like a browser or file-sharing). | Don’t include functionality that drives app downloads without explicit user interaction, if your app's purpose is to download other files (like a browser or file-sharing). |