[FIXED] expo delete permission location

Issue

I try to post my app on google play store, but they say I can't because I use location, but I never use it..

If I make an app-bundle and I open it with Android Studio, I find this on Manifest :

[...]
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
[...]
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION" />
[...]

How I'm suppose to delete it? and how to know where this is use ?

My package.json :

"dependencies": {
    "@react-native-community/masked-view": "0.1.10",
    "@react-native-community/netinfo": "5.9.2",
    "@react-navigation/drawer": "^5.9.0",
    "@react-navigation/material-bottom-tabs": "^5.2.16",
    "@react-navigation/native": "^5.7.3",
    "@react-navigation/stack": "^5.9.0",
    "@types/react-native-snap-carousel": "^3.8.2",
    "expo": "~38.0.8",
    "expo-barcode-scanner": "~8.2.1",
    "firebase": "7.9.0",
    "react": "~16.11.0",
    "react-dom": "~16.11.0",
    "react-native": "https://github.com/expo/react-native/archive/sdk-38.0.2.tar.gz",
    "react-native-barcode-builder": "^2.0.0",
    "react-native-circular-progress": "^1.3.6",
    "react-native-gesture-handler": "~1.6.0",
    "react-native-paper": "^4.1.0",
    "react-native-reanimated": "~1.9.0",
    "react-native-safe-area-context": "~3.0.7",
    "react-native-screens": "~2.9.0",
    "react-native-snap-carousel": "^3.9.1",
    "react-native-svg": "^12.1.0"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@babel/core": "^7.8.6",
    "@types/react": "~16.9.41",
    "@types/react-native": "~0.62.13",
    "typescript": "~3.9.5"
  },

Solution

I ran into the same problem and the Play Store changed their policy on location permissions effective Mar 29, 2021. Here's what I've found:

1. For managed Expo:

Modify app.json to add "permissions" and specify only those that you want. This will override Expo's default set of permissions. An empty array is fine if you require no permissions.

android: {
    permissions: ["READ_CONTACTS", "WRITE_SETTINGS"]
    ...

Ref: https://docs.expo.io/versions/latest/config/app/#permissions

Note that Expo includes some manufacturer permissions by default. You may want to add these in:

"com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE",
"com.anddoes.launcher.permission.UPDATE_COUNT",
"com.majeur.launcher.permission.UPDATE_BADGE",
"com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES",
"com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE",
"com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS",
"com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT",
"com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ",
"com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE"

2. For bare Expo:

Remove specific permissions by using tools:node="remove" in your AndroidManifest.xml

Ref: https://docs.expo.io/versions/latest/sdk/permissions/#excluding-android-permissions-in-bare-workflow

3. expo-location

If you have expo-location installed, it will automatically request ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION and ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION (seems like ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION as well). I had expo-location installed at one point, and had to remove it from node_modules and package-lock.json manually.

Ref: https://docs.expo.io/versions/latest/sdk/permissions/#permissions-on-android

Answered By - Greg T
Answer Checked By - Robin (JavaFixing Admin)