Uninstall and reinstall tracking
Use the Adtrace Android SDK to measure uninstalls and reinstalls. Adtrace uses push tokens to send silent push notifications to a device and checks whether your app is still installed.
| Concept | What it means |
|---|---|
| Uninstall | The app is no longer on the device. Detected when FCM reports the push token is invalid (for example after the user removed the app). |
| Reinstall | The user had your app, uninstalled it, then installed and opened it again. Reported separately from a first-time install. |
| Push token | The FCM device token. Required for measurement. Send it with AdTrace.setPushToken. |
| Silent push | A data-only FCM message with no visible notification. Adtrace sends about one per day to verify install status. |
Device support
Uninstall and reinstall measurement works for apps from any store or direct download if the device has Google Play Services. Devices without Google Play Services (for example some Amazon or Huawei devices) are not supported.
Panel setup required
Enable uninstall and reinstall tracking in the Adtrace panel and upload your FCM HTTP v1 service-account JSON. See Set up uninstall tracking.
How it works
- Your app sends the FCM push token to Adtrace with
AdTrace.setPushToken. - Adtrace stores the token and sends a silent push about once per day.
- If FCM returns that the token is no longer valid, Adtrace marks the device as uninstalled.
- If the same user installs and opens the app again, Adtrace can report a reinstall (not a new organic install).
Uninstall is not sent as a regular SDK event. It is a separate measurement feature driven by push token validation.
Guides
Setup
FCM HTTP v1 key, panel upload, dependency, and setPushToken
Implementation examples
FirebaseMessagingService, silent push handling, Application init
Test the integration
Testing Console, 24-hour delay, troubleshooting
Common questions
See FAQ for uninstall timing, reinstall behavior, and Firebase JSON setup.