Google Play Broken Functionality Policy: How to Fix It

What this rejection means

Google’s review saw the app crash, freeze or open on a blank screen. Wrapped apps usually fail on a web build that doesn’t load on the device, API calls that only work from your domain, or a login that fails on a fresh install.

Why reviewers send it

Google’s review and pre-launch report install the app on real devices. A crash on startup, a freeze, or a web build that never loads breaks the Broken Functionality policy, whatever the listing promises.

The message Google Play sends

Issue found: Violation of Broken Functionality policy

We found that your app doesn’t load properly or crashes on startup. Apps that crash, force close, freeze, or otherwise function abnormally are not allowed on Google Play.

The exact wording changes from one review to the next; the policy name is what to look for.

How to fix it

Check Android vitals and the pre-launch report in Play Console for the crash and the device.
Install the build from internal testing on a real device and sign up as a new user.
Use full https:// URLs, and allow the app’s origin (https://localhost) in your backend’s CORS settings.
Upload a fixed build with a higher version code and resubmit.

If the crash comes from the build itself, paste the log into the build error explainer.

Fix it with Lovable, Bolt or Cursor

If the app was built with an AI builder, paste this into it, then check the result on a phone:

Make sure the app never shows a blank screen: use full https:// URLs for every API call, show a visible error with a retry button when a request fails, and remove any placeholder content.

What to tell Google Play

Replace the [brackets] with what you actually changed:

We fixed the issue on [screen / device] in version [x]: [cause]. We tested a fresh install on [devices].

Got a different message?

Paste the whole rejection into the rejection explainer. It recognises this one and 26 others, in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

Google Play Broken Functionality rejection