GET_ACCOUNTS permission while using GCM - Why is this needed?

Question

I have an app, with Push notifications implemented.

I want to understand the reason why we need \"GET_ACCOUNTS\"(android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS), while implementing

Answer 1

It uses an existing connection for Google services. For pre-3.0 devices, this requires users to set up their Google account on their mobile devices. A Google account is not a requirement on devices running Android 4.0.4 or higher.

SO this is the reason for requirement of the permission

to read Google account.

Read more about this GCM Overview

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Google account login is no longer needed for GCM to work. So you no need the android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS permission.

If you are using GCM API with GoogleCloudMessaging.register), you no longer need to configure Google account on any Android version. But if you are using the deprecated library (GCMRegistrar.register), you still need a Google Account on older versions (before ICS).

More details at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/android-gcm/ecG-RfH-Aso. Another similer thread is Why google Account login is required for GCM to work for devices below 4.0.4 OS?