App Store Q&A

Q1: What are the requirements for package name?

• Package name can only be written in lower case letters. No upper case letters are allowed. For example： Wrong: com.deepin.DemoMusic_1.1.2_amd64.deb Correct: com.deepin.demomusic_1.1.2_amd64.deb

• All package names contained in the package shall remain consistent, including appid, Package field in control, desktop file name, deb package name, etc. For example: appid: com.deepin.demo-unstable Package field in control: com.deepin.demo-unstable desktop file name: com.deepin.demo-unstable.desktop deb package name: com.deepin.demo-unstable_1.1.2_amd64.deb

• All version numbers in the package shall remain consistent, including version field in info, version field in control, deb package name, etc.

Q2: What is required for package version when the app is updated?

Version number of package must be updated when updating the package, or, the upload will fail.

Q3: Why I failed to push the package?

• An identical or higher version already exists;
• Package name anomaly;
• Unsupported architecture；
• Package format anomaly;
• Control file anomaly; Solution: Version already existing error can only be circumvented by manual efforts. Unsupported architecture, package format anomaly and control file anomaly will be automatically detected during quality assurance process.

Q4: My app is already listed on App Store. However, no search result is found?

Non-standard packaging might cause failure in pushing the package to the store repository. Empty‘depends’ field in the package is regarded as illegal operation. Explanation: compulsory fields in the control file include “Package”, “Version”, “Section”, “Priority”, “Architecture”, “Maintainer” and “Description”.

Q5: How to address continuous downloading failure in App Store?

1. Run cat /etc/apt/sources.list and check if official source is displayed in the sources.list file.
2. Run cd /etc/apt/sources.list.d and check if there is any external source in this directory.
3. Run sudo apt-get update to update the app package.
4. Run sudo apt-get install -f -y to update the latest dependencies.
5. After executing above commands, you can download and install app in App Store. Please refer to below link for detailed information: https://wiki.deepin.org/wiki/%E8%BD%AF%E4%BB%B6%E5%8C%85%E7%AE%A1%E7%90%86#.E5.89.8D.E8.A8.80

Q6: When uploading deb package, the system prompts for "Unable to access package info. Please check." What does it mean?

• One error has occurred during the packaging process, probably related to the format of package. For example, there is a blank line missing or an extra blank line in the end of the control file of the deb package. According to debian specification, a blank line is required in the control file.
• One error has occurred during the detecting process of system programs. For example, anomaly in the automated detecting program (which might include detecting for package format and package security) for deb packages.

Q7: If app packaging is not up to standard, what irregularities might display in App Store?

1. Inconsistency in icon size: Major discrepancies might display distinctively for some right angles, rounded corners or irregular icons. Inconsistency in icon size is due to the lack of external projection area of some apps as required by the design principle, and such inconsistency is irrelevant to the size of icon.
2. Inconsistency in deb package size: This occurs when there is an issue with the Installed-Size field in the control file of deb package. The app size displayed in App Store copies information from the Installed-Size field. Therefore, during packaging process, this field shall be written in accordance with actual conditions. An empty Installed-Size field may lead to irregular display of 0KB or a few hundred GB in App Store.
3. Inconsistency in app name: App name in the launcher is inconsistent with “App Name”in the localization info. Please refer to the official website if desktop file exists and rectify inconsistency in the localization info. If desktop file does not exist on official website, please customize in strict accordance with the name in localization info.

Q8: Why is a deb package with signature bigger than the one without signature?

Configuration file with digital signature is added to the deb package. However, it does not include dependencies.

Q9: The signature status in the submitted app package continues displaying as “detecting”. Why and how to resolve this issue?

Possible reasons for failure in package signature may include:

1. Non-original package or redundant signature in a package as it’s been signed already;
2. Signature failure due to damaged elf sign tool;
3. In the ibwidevinecdm.so file, offset address and size of program header is referenced in the section header which leads to signature failure.

Solutions:

1. Redundant signature error: Please contact the administrator to reject signature and upload original package again.
2. Signature timeout error: System automated detecting will try to resolve this issue through “retry” button.
3. Signature failure: Please contact the administrator to locate and debug the issue.

Q10: Why can’t open source software support multiple architectures?

One set of source codes may not be successfully compiled under different architectures such as X86, ARM or MIPS. There are many reasons behind this issue, including inconsistency in definition and contents of header file, inability to support all dependencies and discrepancy of machine instructions among different architectures, all of which might lead to unsuccessful compilation of the same source codes under various architectures.

Q11: When modifying the package name for apps which are already listed in App Store，the system prompts for “Please upload deb package with the same package name”. What should I do?

Package name of a listed app is not allowed to be changed. Now, only package name of an app yet to be listed can be changed. If you need to change the package name of a listed app, you need to remove the app from the store first and resubmit your app.

Q12: How can I request to remove an app from App Store when it lacks continuous maintenance?

After log in the app center (http://store-chinauos.sndu.cn/dev/appcenter/), select [App Service->App Management->My Apps]. Locate the app you want to remove from App Store in the app list and click [App Info]. Uncheck “Mainland China”and“Other Regions”in the Listed Region option and submit for review. Once review is completed, this app will be removed from App Store. Fore more details, please refer to How to Submit Your App to and Remove Your App from App Store in the document center of UOS website: https://doc.chinauos.com/production/details?id=fnEz3m4BtOs5w4L75YB_

Q13: In the process of app creating, system prompts for “App Name Already Exists”. What Should I do?

App name needs to be unique. You should ensure that your proposed app name does not exist in the app center (http://store-chinauos.sndu.cn/dev/appcenter/). If your app name is used by someone else, please contact [email protected] for verification. If needed, please submit all relevant evidence as supporting documents. Fore more details, please refer to the Procedure for Making Claims of App Infringement in the UOS document center: https://doc.chinauos.com/production/details?id=f3E03m4BtOs5w4L74IBq

Q14: How to change “Default Language” for an app?

Once an app is created, you cannot change its default language. Please discreetly select the default language during creating.

Q15: What are the versions of App Store under UnionTech OS V20?

Versions	CPU Architecture
UnionTech OS Desktop V20 Professional	amd64、arm64、mips64、sw64
UnionTech OS Desktop V20 Hom	amd64
UnionTech OS Desktop V20 Community (deepin)	amd64
UnionTech OS Server V20 Enterprise	amd64、arm64、mips64、sw64
UnionTech OS Server V20 Enterprise-C	amd64
UnionTech OS Server V20 Euler	arm64

Q16: Do I need to pay for my app once it is listed on App Store?

It is completely free. All proceeds will go to app developers. However, developers are responsible of the settlement rates. As for whether App Store will be engaged in sharing proceeds, please stay tuned with UOS official announcements.

Q17: What are the target markets of UnionTech OS Desktop Professional, Home and Community (deepin) versions respectively?

• Professional Version (for commercial use): enterprises, centralized government procurement, OEM partners and vendors and external projects
• Home Version (for commercial use): individual users, OEM partners and vendors
• Community Version (open source): individual users both at home and abroad and open source fans

Q18: I cannot launch the app. System prompts for “Failed to pass security verification”. What should I do?

The version of signature verification tool deepin-elf-verify is too low. Please update the package to resolve this issue.

Q19: Under Non-developer mode, apps are installed in App Store but cannot be launched with system prompt displaying “Failed to pass security verification”. What should I do?

This issue is caused due to possible signature error. Please check.

Q20: During downloading and installing in App Store, it is quite slow and sometimes there is even no display at all in the interface. Why?

It is largely relevant to the current bandwidth. During peak download hours, overload in server might also trigger such issues. App Store also plans to switch network routes and expand store server and clusters in order to better serve our users.

Q21: My app icon cannot be displayed correctly. Why?

• Error with the icon source file. Please change your icon.
• Icon file is converted to svg format from png format, which leads to failure of incorrect display in App Store. Please upload the app icon in accordance with requirements during app creating.

Q22: When uploading deb package during app creating, system prompts for “File size is too big. Unable to upload.” What should I do?

Currently, maximum size for a single deb package is 2 GB. Any package larger than the maximum size cannot be uploaded. Please contact the administrator for more details.

Q23: What are the requirements for icon field in the desktop file?

The icon filed in the desktop file is regulated by Debian. Irregularities in some desktop files of upstream apps might lead to irregularities in icon themes of apps, which might further influence and cause non-standard fields in deb packages.

Q24: Can I submit non-graphical apps to App Store?

Currently, App Store does not support non-graphical apps. Please stay tuned with UOS official announcements for future plans and decisions.

Q25: When operating system language is switched to English, some apps in App Store still display in Chinese. Why?

Language displayed in App Store follows the system default language, under which if such default language is not supported by a specific app, the language displayed in App Store will be the default language selected by app developer during submitting.

Q26: What are the package pushing process and deleting process for digital signature installation package of LAN repository?

The signing processes of app stores in both LAN and WAN networks are automated in the listing process. No manual operation is involved.

Q27: Can usbkey sign the app package?

No. You need to buy a certificate to sign the deb package.

Q28: What is a wine app?

This provides a Windows compatibility layer for UNIX operating systems, therefore, all software packed by wine are Windows version software. As Windows software only support X86 architecture, other architecture-based systems are not supported.

Q29: When downloading and installing app in App Store, system prompts for “Unavailable”. Why?

Please confirm if you have activated your trial period for your operating system. Or, this error might occur when the app package fails to be pushed to store repository leading to unsuccessful data synchronization.

Q30: When app is successfully downloaded and installed in App Store，some other irrelevant apps are also installed in Launcher. Why?

Apps bundled for installation are normally dependency software for the target app.

Q31: In Launcher, when right clicking the app to “send to desktop”, a “gear wheel”icon displays on the screen. What should I do?

There may be an error with the app or its packaging. Please reboot or log out your system.

Q32: When downloading and installing app in App Store, system prompts for “Installation failed due to dkpg error.”What should I do?

Try to use Deepin Repair to repair dpkg, or run “sudo apt install -f” in the terminal.

Q33: Send an app to dock in Launcher. When the app is launched, duplicate app icons are shown on Dock. What should I do?

There is an error with the StartupWMClass field in the desktop file. Solution: input “xprop | grep WM_CLASS” in the terminal. Click the app with duplicate icons and change the StartupWMClass field with the name displayed.

Q34: Some plugin apps are installed in the directory of host apps. Such apps cannot be packed in accordance with App Store packaging specification; Input method apps require a specific framework which is not in line with App Store packaging specification. What should we do to list such apps?

We provide the plugin mechanism. If you need to list such apps, please contact UOS team via offline channels.

Q35: If I have an urgent app listing task but app developer is unable to provide the package in accordance with App Store Listing Specification. What should I do to proceed?

App can be listed on App Store temporarily to release you from project delivery pressure. However, you should negotiate with app developer and replace the listed app package in accordance with App Store packaging specification within the designated period.

Q36: In terms of package signature, we did some tests and find out that deb packages provided by app developer with signatures which are yet to be listed on App Store might encounter failure in the signing process, and it seems that failures are also caused by inconsistency with App Store Listing Specification. Why do apps not yet listed on App Store also need to follow the listing rules?

Currently there is not limitation in this respect. However, signature only (while not listed on App Store) function will be canceled in the sign tool.