Earlier quoted context omitted.
Just create a virtual phone number (say Google Voice) and put that up.
Google Voice is dead, isn't it?
Not dead, but certainly looks pretty abandoned.
Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
81–90 of 98 posts
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#82What services offer long term phone numbers without be having to create new "lines" on my cellular plan? I currently use an app called "Hushed" but it is extremely expensive, especially compared to how much raw providers like Twilio charge. There seem to be plenty of "disposable" phone number apps but I just want cheap extra numbers, without having to write code.
Number Barn? You can park a number with them for $2/month and have SMS and a recorded voice greeting (but no call forwarding), or for $6/month you can have calls forwarded to you.
You might be able to get something with a prepaid cell phone plan - at one point one of the carriers had something where purchased minutes didn't expire for a year after you'd passed a certain threshold, but no clue what it's like now - I haven't had a prepaid phone since the early days of analog to digital conversions.
Some of the dirt cheap voip carriers like magicjack might also have options but no idea what they charge.
Finally if you're on T-Mobile and don't have any free lines you might be able to add a line free, if not right now then when they do promotions somewhat regularly. The days of tons of free lines are gone, but if you have 2+ paid lines and no free ones they'll likely have a promo for you soon (it might actually reduce your bill because a free line still counts as a line for autopay discounts).
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#83What services offer long term phone numbers without be having to create new "lines" on my cellular plan? I currently use an app called "Hushed" but it is extremely expensive, especially compared to how much raw providers like Twilio charge. There seem to be plenty of "disposable" phone number apps but I just want cheap extra numbers, without having to write code.
Number Barn? You can park a number with them for $2/month and have SMS and a recorded voice greeting (but no call forwarding), or for $6/month you can have calls forwarded to you. You might be able to get something with a prepaid cell phone plan - at one point one of the carriers had something where purchased minutes didn't expire for a year after you'd passed a certain threshold, but no clue what it's like now - I h…
That's all really useful, thank you.
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#84Earlier quoted context omitted.
Minimally, for one who wants to keep a personal number private, this will raise the barrier to entry with an ongoing cost for a separate number. Still, it’s a win for less technical users -- who ostensibly have never installed an alternative store -- considering they’ll be less likely to recognize scammy apps like the flashlights of old.
This is super trivial, a malicious actor will just use one of the thousands of free receive only sms to confirm
My first thought too. Trivial for bad actors to get around, an annoyance for normal developers.
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#85Interesting if you'd be interested in tracking both the play store listing number effectiveness at generating leads CallTrackingMetrics company can help. We focus on connecting humans to other humans.
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#86There's more Play news, unfortunately... Two days ago, I updated Stellarium Mobile. On launch, it now requires that you are logged into the Play Store. No more anonymous Android usage. I emailed the developer with what I saw in adb logcat, they came back yesterday with this: > I see your point. The new google verification code requires a google play account it seems. It works with some third party stores, but you nee…
My LG-C1 does this nonsense. It requires me to have an LG account to download 90% the apps I want (except the big dog streaming services of course) like Plex or GeForce Now. Interestingly enough it allows YouTube but not YouTube kids.
I’ve so far held out and am considering just getting some sort of Nvidia shield-like device (heard they sadly went down the drain over the last few years) to handle all my apps.
So basically LG is asking me to 1) have an account for internet which is separate from 2) my account for my TV which is separate from 3) the myriad of other apps I want to use and require logging in. But of course they leave out the big players that would (rightfully) call this burdensome on the consumer as they make sure access to their content is as streamlined as possible. So Disney/Netflix/Amazon/YouTube/Hulu get around this but everyone else doesn’t.
And execs are wondering why account sharing is so common and piracy is on the rise.
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#87What's the chance Linux phones will be a reliable option in the next 1-2yrs before this sort of BS does too much damage?
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#88It takes a lot of nerve for this famously support-phobic company to require apps to publish phone numbers and addresses for support.
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#89So, what would be easiest way to move existing userbase to a PWA web app?
Re: Google now requires and lists phone number in Play Store listings
#90There could be a big issue, as some websites are already scraping Play Store for developer emails, now they will have phone numbers too. And good luck removing them from some random apk download website.