QuickBlox RN SDK: Fix Play Store Upload Failure

by Admin 48 views
QuickBlox RN SDK Fails Play Store Upload Due to 16 KB Page Size Incompatibility

Guys, we've hit a snag with our Android app submissions to the Google Play Store, and it seems to be stemming from the QuickBlox React Native SDK. Let's dive into the details and see if we can figure out a workaround or get some guidance from the QuickBlox team.

Issue:

The Google Play Console is blocking our app submission because of native libraries that don't support the 16 KB memory page size requirement. Apparently, this is now mandatory for Android 15 and the latest Play Store policies. The error points to several native libraries bundled either directly through the QuickBlox React Native SDK or via dependencies that the SDK relies on. These include Hermes, FBJNI, JSI, Reanimated, ImagePipeline, and MMKV, among others. Because of this incompatibility, we're currently unable to upload our production build to the Play Store. This is a critical issue!.

Play Console Error

The Play Store is specifically flagging these libraries as incompatible:

base/lib/arm64-v8a/libc++_shared.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libfbjni.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libhermes.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libhermestooling.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libimagepipeline.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libjsi.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libnative-filters.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libnative-imagetranscoder.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libreactnative.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libreactnativemmkv.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libreanimated.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/librnscreens.so
base/lib/arm64-v8a/libworklets.so

(and their x86_64 variants)

It seems these libraries were compiled with an older NDK configuration that doesn't play nice with the 16 KB page requirement. This is a major headache! Understanding the root cause and finding a solution is important. The libraries appear to be compiled using an outdated NDK configuration, which lacks support for 16KB pages. This indicates a need to update the build process or dependencies within the QuickBlox React Native SDK to align with the latest Android requirements. Addressing this involves identifying the specific components responsible for including these outdated libraries and updating them to versions that are compatible with the 16KB page size. Possible solutions could involve updating the NDK version used for compiling native code, upgrading the relevant dependencies to their latest versions, or modifying the build configuration to ensure compatibility with the required page size. Collaborating with the QuickBlox team is important to ensure a comprehensive and effective resolution.

What We Tried

We've already tried a few things to fix this, but no luck so far:

  • Updating React Native: Unfortunately, we can't do this because of dependency constraints with QuickBlox.
  • Updating MMKV / Reanimated / Hermes: This leads to conflicts with the QuickBlox version.
  • Rebuilding the app with the latest NDK: Didn't work because the problematic libraries are coming from QuickBlox RN SDK dependencies. Frustrating, right?.

Impact

This issue is a complete blocker for Play Store submissions. We can't publish updates for apps that use QuickBlox until this is resolved. This not only affects our ability to deliver new features and improvements to our users but also puts us at risk of falling behind in terms of security and performance updates. We need a solution ASAP! The inability to release updates can lead to user dissatisfaction and potential loss of users to competitors who can provide more up-to-date experiences. Furthermore, delaying updates can expose users to known security vulnerabilities, making it important to address this issue promptly and efficiently.

Request

So, here's what we need from the QuickBlox team:

  1. Is there a QuickBlox React Native SDK update in the works that includes libraries rebuilt to support the 16 KB page size?
  2. If so, is there an ETA for this update?
  3. If not, can you provide us with temporary workarounds or guidance to get us unstuck?

This is super critical for our production releases. Any help or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Environment

Here's our environment setup:

  • QuickBlox React Native SDK version: (your version)
  • React Native version: (your version)
  • Android NDK: (your version)
  • Build type: Release (AAB)
  • Platform: Android

Deep Dive into the 16KB Page Size Requirement

The 16KB page size requirement is a critical update in Android's architecture, impacting how memory is managed and accessed by applications. Understanding why this change was implemented and its implications for native libraries is important for developers. The move to 16KB pages aims to improve memory efficiency and security across the Android ecosystem. This change requires native libraries to be compiled in a way that is compatible with the new page size, ensuring that memory operations are optimized for the new architecture. Libraries compiled without this consideration may lead to crashes, performance degradation, or security vulnerabilities. Therefore, it's vital for library developers, including those providing SDKs like QuickBlox, to update their tools and configurations to align with this requirement. This not only ensures compatibility with the latest Android versions but also contributes to a more stable and secure user experience.

The transition to a 16KB page size represents a significant advancement in Android's memory management, designed to enhance both efficiency and security. This architectural shift means that applications and their associated libraries must align with the new memory paradigm to ensure seamless operation. Native libraries, in particular, require careful attention, as they interact directly with the system's memory at a low level. The implications of non-compliance with the 16KB page size requirement can range from subtle performance degradation to catastrophic application crashes, making it a matter of serious concern for developers. The introduction of this requirement underscores the Android platform's commitment to providing a robust and secure environment for its users, and it highlights the importance of staying abreast of the latest platform updates and best practices. For developers, adapting to this change involves recompiling native libraries with the appropriate tools and configurations, as well as thoroughly testing applications to identify and resolve any compatibility issues.

Potential Workarounds and Mitigation Strategies

While waiting for an official update from QuickBlox, exploring potential workarounds and mitigation strategies is essential to keep your app development on track. These temporary solutions might not be ideal, but they can provide a way to bypass the issue and continue with your Play Store submission. One possible workaround involves examining the dependencies of the QuickBlox SDK and identifying any outdated libraries that are causing the compatibility issue. If possible, try manually updating these libraries to versions that support the 16KB page size. However, this approach requires caution, as it may introduce conflicts or break the functionality of the QuickBlox SDK. Another strategy is to explore the possibility of using a different build configuration or compiler flag that forces the native libraries to be compiled with 16KB page size support. This may involve modifying the build.gradle file or the NDK configuration. Again, this approach requires careful testing to ensure that it does not introduce any unintended side effects.

Another strategy could involve carefully examining the build process to identify any steps that might be contributing to the incompatibility. This might involve tweaking the NDK version, compiler flags, or other build settings. However, it's worth noting that these workarounds might not always be feasible or effective, depending on the specific nature of the issue and the dependencies of the QuickBlox SDK. Engaging with the QuickBlox community and seeking advice from other developers who have encountered similar issues can also be helpful. Sharing your findings and experiences with the community can lead to collaborative problem-solving and the discovery of alternative solutions. While these workarounds can provide temporary relief, it's still important to prioritize the official update from QuickBlox, as it will provide the most reliable and sustainable solution to the 16KB page size compatibility issue.

The Importance of Timely SDK Updates

Timely SDK updates are important for maintaining app compatibility and security. SDKs like QuickBlox provide developers with essential tools and libraries for building features into their apps. However, these SDKs often rely on native code and third-party dependencies, which must be kept up-to-date to align with the latest platform requirements. Failing to update SDKs promptly can lead to compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities, and performance degradation. The 16KB page size requirement is a perfect example of how platform updates can impact SDKs and the apps that rely on them. When SDKs are not updated to support these changes, developers face the challenge of finding workarounds or delaying their app releases. Therefore, it's important for SDK providers to prioritize timely updates and provide developers with clear guidance on how to integrate these updates into their apps.

Moreover, SDK updates not only address compatibility issues but also introduce new features, performance improvements, and security enhancements. By staying up-to-date with the latest SDK releases, developers can take advantage of these benefits and provide their users with a better app experience. However, updating SDKs can also be a complex process, especially when dealing with large and intricate codebases. It's therefore important for SDK providers to provide comprehensive documentation, migration guides, and support resources to assist developers in the update process. Additionally, automated tools and processes can help streamline the update process and reduce the risk of errors. Ultimately, timely SDK updates are a shared responsibility between SDK providers and app developers, requiring collaboration and communication to ensure that apps remain compatible, secure, and performant.