What shipping AI-built Android apps taught me about Google Play review (and the check I now run first)

dmski1 — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:18:40 +0000

I build small apps on my own, mostly with AI app builders like Rork and Replit. The code now shows up fast. The hard parts have moved to either end: picking the idea, and getting it through the store.

Here's what I've learned taking apps through Google Play, and the habit I changed because of it.

New personal accounts must run a 14-day closed test first On newer personal developer accounts, Google won't let you apply for production until you've run a closed test with at least 12 opted-in testers for 14 days in a row. Two things caught me out:

Testers have to stay opted in. If one drops off, you're under the bar. Recruit a few extra.
Hitting the numbers isn't enough. Google looks at whether testers actually used the app, not just whether they opted in. If engagement is thin, you can be asked to run another 14 days. "Apply for production" asks how you recruited testers, how you collected feedback, and what you changed. Recruit people who will actually open the app, give them something specific to try, and keep notes as you go so you can answer honestly.

Data safety and privacy have to match what the app really does
AI apps send user text or photos to a model provider. Your Data safety form, your privacy policy, and your actual network calls need to tell the same story. I now write the privacy policy before I build, because it forces me to decide what data the idea really needs.
Secrets don't belong in the app bundle
With AI builders it's easy to end up with an API key in a public env variable that gets compiled into the app. Treat anything in the client as public, keep provider keys on a server, and scan your build for keys before you upload.
A lot of review risk is decided before you write code
Some ideas carry extra review work no matter how well they're built: apps that lean on user-generated content without a moderation plan, apps that copy a category leader too closely, or a subscription in a category full of free apps. Those are cheap to spot on day one and expensive to discover after you've built.

The check I run now, before building
For every idea, I write three sentences: what it does, who it's for, and how it makes money. Then I ask:

Policy: Does it touch user content, health claims, kids, finance, impersonation, or faces? Each of those adds review work.
Competition: Who are the top 3 to 5 apps in the category, and what do they charge?
Difference: In one line, why would someone switch?
I got tired of doing that by hand, so I built a small app for it, AppScore. You describe the idea and it gives you rough approval odds for Google Play and the App Store with the likely rejection flags, a ballpark revenue range, the main competitors, and what to change. It's an estimate, not a ruling from Google or Apple, but it gets me to "don't build this version" a lot faster. It's Android-only. Free with 3 idea checks a month, optional Pro subscription: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.rork.app_idea_score_potential

Whether or not you use it, steal the checklist above. The cheapest rejection is the one you catch before you build.

What's caught you out on Play review? I'm collecting real cases.

What Makes 0L Network Different?

dmski1 — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 16:16:16 +0000

What is 0L Network?
0L Network is layer 1 blockchain protocol that is open, permissionless and Community governed. An open source fork of Diem originally developed by Meta (formerly Facebook) and uses the Move programming language which is designed to be extremely safe in adversarial environments.

Most block chains are indebted to early venture capital investors, founders who control the majority of coins and validators. 0L network has no venture capital investors, all the growth comes from the community working and reinvesting in the network. Validators and Community members contribute to community wallets which are used for continued improvements of the network and ecosystem.

Community
The 0L Network was designed to reward the workers, the builders, and the community. Community members can assist with many aspects of the network and are rewarded with 0L gas tokens. Tokens are distributed from a Community wallet funded by the validators. Community wallets are managed by independent organizations and used to fund technical and non-techical missions.

Governance is done by the community, all members can participate in any aspect of the development and decision making process of the chain. Not since Bitcoin has there been a blockchain as decentralized, open and permissionless as 0L Network.

Slow Wallets
Slow Wallets are a unique feature of the 0L Network. Slow Wallets are coded with limits on withdrawals per blockchain epoch. Slow wallets could also be used as a specific function such as automated payments, escrow accounts, etc. The slow wallets create additional security appointing all the validators to be observers of the wallet.

The slow wallets also prevent any potential “whales” from dumping on the market, potentially creating more stability for the chain. All validator’s wallets are slow wallets as well, so although some may appear to be “whales” their coins are locked for years.

The Move Language
0L Network used the Move language for smart contracts. The Move language is gaining in popularity due to the inherent safety features in the code. Built-in formal verification is a huge advantage of Move and will be the standard for autonomous financial systems.

Favorable use in a strict Regulatory environment
The 0L Network is one of only a few block chains positioned to be well accepted by regulatory agencies worldwide. Take all the best aspects of Bitcoin and put them in a modern blockchain with fast, cost efficient, and adaptable use cases and you have the 0L Network.

Aptos Compatibility
With version 7 upgrade the 0L Network will be compatible with the Aptos Network, another fork of Diem. With dozens of developers already developing Apps for Aptos these developers will also find a great opportunity on the 0L Network.

The Most Loved Block Chain
The 0L Network is destined to be the most loved block chain. With no venture capitalist, decentralization on par with Bitcoin, and fast cost efficient transactions, businesses and end users will flock to the 0L Network.

DEV Community: dmski1

What shipping AI-built Android apps taught me about Google Play review (and the check I now run first)

What Makes 0L Network Different?