Playmarket does not show app update

Question

I have some strange problem with my app.

I create a new version of my app with minor update, also was updated some libraries so I get changes in permissions with only location permissions

Bad version

android.hardware.BLUETOOTH
android.hardware.FAKETOUCH
android.hardware.LOCATION
android.hardware.MICROPHONE

Good version

android.hardware.BLUETOOTH
android.hardware.FAKETOUCH
android.hardware.LOCATION
android.hardware.location.NETWORK
android.hardware.MICROPHONE

So I got problem what users who have installed good version can't see updates in market.

For example devices Samsung S4 mini, S7 Edge

Also I can simulate problem by these steps: 1. Install good version from APK 2. In market see only Delete and Open, but not update.

Good version - version code 1

Bad version - version code 2

How to fix? Or what problem is it?

Answer 1

These IDs are not permissions but features, which are also displayed in the Play Console. They may be explicitely declared in the manifest or deduced by the Play Store from the permissions.

If you declare an api level >= 21 and a location permission, you have to declare that you use the corresponding feature :

Caution: If your app targets Android 5.0 (API level 21) or higher, you must declare that your app uses the android.hardware.location.network or android.hardware.location.gps hardware feature in the manifest file, depending on whether your app receives location updates from NETWORK_PROVIDER or from GPS_PROVIDER. If your app receives location information from either of these location provider sources, you need to declare that the app uses these hardware features in your app manifest.

What happens if you explicitly add the android.hardware.location.NETWORK or android.hardware.location.gps feature to the manifest ? or if you lower the target level to 19 ?