Play console does not consider uses-feature -> required="false" in manifest for android app bundle

Question

I am trying to publish app bundle on play store. It shows wifi only tablet not supported because of android.hardware.telephony feature. I set this feature's required flag to false. But still play console shows the same error in device catalogue. Any idea why it is showing an error as not supported device samsung galaxy A7 lite (wifi only)?

I am checking this problem in a following way: I upload app bundle then I save it. Before publishing I go to device catalogue to check the supported devices for the same app bundle. And there I see an error.

My AndroidManifest permissions and features:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
            
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
        
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK" />
            
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
            
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
        
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
            
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
        
        <uses-feature
                android:name="android.hardware.camera"
                android:required="false"
                tools:node="replace"/>
        
            <uses-feature
                android:name="android.hardware.camera.autofocus"
                android:required="false"
                tools:node="replace"/>
        
            <uses-feature
                android:name="android.hardware.telephony"
                android:required="false"
                tools:node="replace"/>

Merged manifest:

Play console error:

Doesn't support required feature: android.hardware.telephony

Answer 1

This issue is solved. For others I am putting an answer here. It's funny that I just ignored that device catalogue for the saved release and rolled it out directly. That manifest changes started working for the release and play console started showing supported for the device which was unsupported previously. :)

For those who are not clear, it's simple. Just check your merged manifest file properly -> update your manifest file (feature flags etc.) as per your requirements (remove unwanted permissions, features. make them non mandatory if possible) -> go ahead and publish your build -> after publishing device catalogue shows newly supported devices and removes earlier errors. Don't check device catalogue before publishing.