They say - for everything, start with the why?

Why?

I have seen many Android devices with storage space running out; especially for older folks - they might even replace their smartphones with new ones since it might have become unusable due to the “your device is running out of storage space” issues. Most of the time, all they would have needed were to clean-up the storage consumed by WhatsApp. I have been searched for an application for the same but I couldn’t find any on the Play Store nor F-Droid that “actually worked”, mostly limited due to Android’s varying permission requirements for different android API levels. So I decided to build one myself that will meet my goals! :)

Development

Yeah - built the app from scratch and published on FDroid - play store wouldn’t let me publish there due to MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission restriction (ref).

initial publishing using original package name (com.vishnu.whatsappcleaner)

  • so initially we were unable to publish to the play store due to the manage external storage permission restriction - “Not a core feature” & “Need to use MediaStore API or No Access to Files” (around Mar 2025)
  • meanwhile I got another notice for “Violation of Deceptive Behavior policy” for Full description (en-GB): "Optimized for Performance: Boost your phone’s storage and speed by keeping only the files that matter."

Make sure that the app’s title and description do not misrepresent the function of the app - We don’t allow apps that attempt to deceive users or enable dishonest behavior including but not limited to apps which are determined to be functionally impossible. Apps must provide an accurate disclosure, description and images/video of their functionality in all parts of the metadata. Apps must not attempt to mimic functionality or warnings from the operating system or other apps. Any changes to device settings must be made with the user’s knowledge and consent and be reversible by the user.

  • I accidentally filed an appeal rather than removing this line and got locked out of the console for the app using the original package name com.vishnu.whatsappcleaner (around Apr 2025)
  • I even tried requesting to delete the app as is so that we can start over - but they wouldn’t delete an app that is currently under suspension.
  • detailed thread

second go with a new package name (com.vishnu.whatsappcleaner.play)

  • now around Jan 2026 we finally were able to publish on the play store as a new app with them permitting to use manage external storage under a new option (Document management apps)
  • now again around May 2026 - we got the same “Not a core feature” & “Need to use MediaStore API or No Access to Files” strikes and couldn’t publish anymore updates - but the app was live
  • now around Jun 2026, I implemented the whole app without using the manage external storage permission - using privacy preserving SAF (issue thread) for the play variant and published it even though it was a lot slower - thought we finally had closure on this, LoL!
  • now at around Aug 2026 - I recieved a notice for “Violation of Trademark Infringement policy” from Meta for “WhatsApp” - I was locked out of the console page for the app right now as before and I was supposed to reach out to the complaintant inorder to revert the complaint. I did - and no response yet.
  • the following was the email I sent back - maybe I wasn’t being compliant enough by removing everything completely?! as an epilogue - I removed that commit now since the colors looked real bad!

Sub: Remedy Notice for Trademark notice on WhatsAppCleaner (com.vishnu.whatsappcleaner.play) - request for withdrawal of infringement notice

Dear team,

I am Vishnu Sanal T, the sole developer of WhatsAppCleaner, the Android application referenced in your recent trademark notice on behalf of Meta / WhatsApp LLC. Google Play has removed the listing (package com.vishnu.whatsappcleaner.play) as a result.

I want to state clearly at the outset that I have no wish to trade on your client’s goodwill, and I am willing to make whatever changes are required. WhatsAppCleaner is a non-commercial, free/libre and open source project licensed under the GNU GPL v3.0. It carries no advertising, collects no data, and generates no revenue. It is a storage-cleanup utility that operates purely on files already present on the user’s own device.

Changes already made

In direct response to your notice, I have updated the following, and will publish the same as and when the google play console portal gets unlocked for me.

Removed your client’s brand colour: The app’s launcher icon previously used the hex value #25D366. This has been changed to an unrelated colour now. The icon artwork itself is a generic recycling symbol and has never incorporated any WhatsApp logo, glyph, or brand asset. Added a prominent disclaimer inside the application. A disclaimer now appears on the first-run setup screen - the very first screen every new user sees - and again as a dedicated card on the About screen. It reads: This is an independent, third-party app. It is not affiliated with, authorised by, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to WhatsApp LLC or Meta Platforms, Inc. “WhatsApp” is a registered trademark of WhatsApp LLC, referenced here only to describe the files this app cleans. Added a notice to the public repository README at https://github.com/VishnuSanal/WhatsAppCleaner, acknowledging WhatsApp LLC’s ownership of the mark. A similar note to the Play Store listing acknowledging WhatsApp LLC’s ownership of the mark.

For completeness: the application has never bundled, displayed, or distributed any WhatsApp logo, icon, wordmark, or other brand asset; has never claimed authorisation, endorsement, or affiliation; and does not connect to, modify, or interact with the WhatsApp application or its services in any way. It requires no network access whatsoever.

My request

Google Play has advised that the listing can be reinstated if the complainant withdraws the complaint in writing. I would be grateful if you could review the changes above and, if they resolve your client’s concerns, send that withdrawal to Google.

Thank you for your time. I am acting in good faith here and will act on any reasonable requirement promptly.

What next?!

  • TBH - I don’t have much idea! There’s still an appeal button left to try - but I’m not sure whether that will help since the trademark violation still stands and I will be completely locked out if it fails.
  • I cannot even rebrand this to something like WA* / Whats* since the policy from meta still considers phonetic variations as their trademark.
  • for now - I am tempted to remove the play variant and SAF implementation from the codebase and stop worrying about play store! but yeah ..
  • maybe I can rebrand stating a cleaner for “green messaging app” (idea credit: @VipinVIP :)) and try again? but - how to try again - appeal or another package name!! - let’s see

this is the whole story for now - wanted to consoldate everything to a single thread!

Note: this blog was written from this GitHub issue thread