Short answer
Open Target audience and content in Play Console and check the age groups match who the app is really for. If children are included, show ads only from Families self-certified ads SDKs, without interest-based ads, use a neutral age screen for mixed audiences, and stop sending identifiers such as the advertising ID. If the app is not for children, remove listing art that suggests it is.
Rather not fix it yourself? App Fix Ticket starts with a fixed-price diagnosis, then a fixed price for the fix before any fix work.
Why the Families policy flagged the app, and the fix
01
The store listing looks like it is for children
“If your app is not primarily designed for children under 13 but your listing contains marketing elements that suggest otherwise” Google Play, Target audience and content
Cartoon art or young characters in the screenshots and icon can lead Google Play to reject an app that is not primarily for children. Google’s options are to remove the child-appealing marketing elements from the listing, or change the target age group to children under 13 only, which brings the Families policy requirements.
02
The ads SDK is not self-certified
“Only use Google Play Families Self-Certified Ads SDKs to display ads to those users” Google Play, Families policy (Ads requirements)
An ads SDK that is not on Google’s Families self-certified list, or one serving interest-based ads, breaks the policy for children. Switch to a self-certified SDK version and turn off personalized ads for those users.
03
The app sends device identifiers
“Apps that solely target children must not transmit Android advertising identifier (AAID), SIM Serial, Build Serial, BSSID, MAC, SSID, IMEI, and/or IMSI.” Google Play, Families policy (data practices)
An analytics or ads SDK that sends the advertising ID or other device IDs fails the data rules for children. Remove the identifier, or the SDK, for the children’s audience.
04
A mixed audience has no age screen
“A neutral age screen must be implemented so that any ads not suitable for children are only shown to older audiences.” Google Play, Target audience and content
An app for both children and adults has to ask the user’s age in a neutral way, then show children only suitable ads. Add the age screen before any ads are shown.
05
The answers in Play Console are wrong
Also check: Google reviews the Target audience and content answers too, and misrepresenting them can get the app removed. Keep them accurate when you change the app.
Checked against the vendor’s docs on : Google Play Help: Families policy; Google Play Help: Target audience and content.
Rather hand it over?
Fixed scope, fixed price, paid upfront. The work happens in writing; no call needed.
“Very responsive, attentive to fixing bugs, and completed the project as needed! Thank you!”
Related: Google Play Data safety form rejected · Google Play prominent disclosure and consent · Google Play user-generated content · Google Play invalid privacy policy