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I have an app that I want to market on google Play. Initially I want to charge a fixed price for the app.

I'm used to marketing apps on the Windows Phone Marketplace where a user simply has to pay to get the app - no "licensing" is necessary because the user can't get the app without paying for it.

I read the material about Google Play licensing and it seems to imply that unless I use the LVL, users can get ahold of my app for free. Is that right? On the other hand, if Google Play won't let them have the app without paying, why do I need to use licensing?

CommonsWare
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Dean Blakely
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    "I read the material about Google Play licensing and it seems to imply that unless I use the LVL, users can get ahold of my app for free". Where did you read this? Complete nonsense. – Simon Feb 11 '13 at 22:09
  • @Simon It's true in a way. While Google Play won't provide it, it's certainly not impossible for users to get a hold of many apps for free. – kabuko Feb 11 '13 at 22:12
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    Within the context of the OP, it's the same for all platforms. LVL won't stop someone stealing your app. – Simon Feb 11 '13 at 22:17
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    This is a business question - off-topic for SO. – James Moore Feb 11 '13 at 22:25
  • "a business question?" deployment is part of the development process and this is a key part of deployment. – Dean Blakely Feb 11 '13 at 22:44
  • Its not impossible for a paid app to be available for free if licensing is not used. A person who downloads the app, who may have a rooted phone, create a copy of the APK that is stored on the device and redistribute using third party stores or file sharing websites. – Boardy Feb 12 '13 at 14:05
  • What about an app that is free to download but requires in-app purchase to unlock features? It seems that this type of model might not require the licensing support. – Fracdroid Sep 17 '15 at 18:03

1 Answers1

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As the docs say, this is really to

verify that the current user did in fact pay for the application on Google Play

This is to combat piracy. Google Play won't give them the app without paying, but they might obtain the app from another source without paying and install it manually. This provides a runtime check.

kabuko
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  • other than stealing off my dev box, how would the "obtain the app from another source?? – Dean Blakely Feb 11 '13 at 22:27
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    Person A could legitimately purchase the APK from Google Play, then copy the file to their computer and publish it on a website. Person B would then download the APK and install to their device. – kabuko Feb 11 '13 at 22:28
  • oh my! I didn't know they could do that makes Google Play Licensing a must. Thanks for letting me know. – Dean Blakely Feb 11 '13 at 22:41
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    Don't assume that just because you add LVL that you're safe though. It's a complicated topic. See: http://www.digipom.com/how-the-android-license-verification-library-is-lulling-you-into-a-false-sense-of-security/ – kabuko Feb 11 '13 at 22:44
  • so for free apps this is useless? – lxknvlk May 11 '16 at 16:04
  • @lxknvlk as for now, the LVL library is useful also for free apps, as stated in the documentation – user2342558 Jan 15 '20 at 10:21