App Install (MOBILE_APP_INSTALL) not being reported in events manager and test events

[spiritinlife]

Checklist before submitting a bug report

• I've updated to the latest released version of the SDK
• I've searched for existing Github issues
• I've looked for existing answers on Stack Overflow, the Facebook Developer Community Forum and the Facebook Developers Group
• I've read the Code of Conduct
• This issue is not security related and can safely be disclosed publicly on GitHub

Java version

11.0.12

Android version

API 30, Android 11

Android SDK version

14.1.0

Installation platform & version

Gradle

Package

Core & AppEvents

Goals

Being able to use App Installs as an optimisation for facebook ad campaigns.

Expected results

On a fresh install i am expecting the App install ( MOBILE_APP_INSTALL ) to appear on test events and in events manager.

Actual results

While i do see the event MOBILE_APP_INSTALL being fired by using client debugging

 FacebookSdk.addLoggingBehavior(LoggingBehavior.APP_EVENTS);
 FacebookSdk.addLoggingBehavior(LoggingBehavior.REQUESTS);
 FacebookSdk.addLoggingBehavior(LoggingBehavior.INCLUDE_RAW_RESPONSES);

The event is never shown in test events and the reported APP install events in Events Manager for my app are greatly under reported, practically not reported at all.

Important to note that other automatic logged events such as activate app are being correctly reported.

Steps to reproduce

Fresh install on an application with sdk 14.1.0 should reproduce the issue.

Code samples & details

// INSERT YOUR CODE HERE

No code should be required since we rely on AutoInitEnabled and AutoLogAppEventsEnabled. Check configuration of AndroidManifest bellow.

AndroidManifest configuration 

...
        <meta-data
            android:name="com.facebook.sdk.ApplicationId"
            android:value="@string/facebook_app_id" />

        <meta-data 
           android:name="com.facebook.sdk.ClientToken" 
           android:value="@string/facebook_client_token"/>

        <meta-data android:name="com.facebook.sdk.AutoLogAppEventsEnabled"
           android:value="true"/>

        <meta-data android:name="com.facebook.sdk.AutoInitEnabled"
           android:value="true"/>

        <meta-data android:name="com.facebook.sdk.AdvertiserIDCollectionEnabled"
            android:value="true"/>
....
  <activity
            android:name="com.facebook.FacebookActivity"
            android:configChanges="keyboard|keyboardHidden|screenLayout|screenSize|orientation"
            android:label="@string/app_name" />

        <activity
            android:name="com.facebook.CustomTabActivity"
            android:exported="true">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />

                <data android:scheme="@string/fb_login_protocol_scheme" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
....

Sample log that shows the event being sent

 D/FacebookSDK.Request: Request:
      Id:	6
      URL:	https://graph.facebook.com/v14.0/***************/activities
      Method:	POST
      User-Agent:	FBAndroidSDK.14.1.0
      Content-Type:	application/x-www-form-urlencoded
      Parameters:
          access_token:	***************|********************************
          format:	json
          sdk:	android
          debug:	info
      Attachments:
          event:	MOBILE_APP_INSTALL
          anon_id:	**********-****-****-****-************
          application_tracking_enabled:	true
          advertiser_id_collection_enabled:	true
          advertiser_id:	*****-****-****-****-************
          advertiser_tracking_enabled:	true
          extinfo:	["a2","******",4263,"2.0.119","11","2201117TY","en_US","","NoCarrier",1080,2177,"2.75",8,-1,-1,""]
          application_package_name:	****

[spiritinlife]

After a long debugging period we figured out was is the issue.

Starting from android sdk 13.0.0 the inclusion of client token means that events such as MOBILE_APP_INSTALL will include the client token in the graph request. That normally wouldn't be an issue unless you have defined ips in Server IP Whitelist which is in Settings > Advanced > Security right above the client token. It seems that for some reason and for some events such as MOBILE_APP_INSTALL facebook decided to block the request if the ip that is coming from is not whitelisted.

This is a serious issue and it is not documented at all.
How can a Server Ip whitelist affect mobile clients...?

For future travellers to the issue you should either:

1. Not have any ip in the Server IP Whitelist
2. Downgrade the fb sdk to a version that doesn't require the definition of client token.

After a lot of struggle it works for me. Events started showing up on Facebook Dashboard and APP Installations was reported.

Solution that works for me: I would never believe that installing the Facebook APP on the same device I'm developing my app and logging with the same developer account and especially enabling tracking (ATT) would get things working!

Note: at first the ATT (tracking consent) was not requested when I opened the Facebook application for the first time. I was required to log in with a regular non-developer account and then enabling tracking when prompted and then log out and log in with my developer account to keep iOS privacy preferences enabled!

[agGitHub]

@spiritinlife Where do you set this 'Not have any ip in the Server IP Whitelist' ? Thanks.

@spiritinlife Where do you set this 'Not have any ip in the Server IP Whitelist' ? Thanks.

Hi @agGitHub, sorry to get in the way but if I can help, here's a screen print.

[agGitHub]

Thanks. I don't manage to find this menu. What is the path to reach it? Thanks.

Thanks. I don't manage to find this menu. What is the path to reach it? Thanks.

developers.facebook.com → My Apps → (choose the app) → In the Dashboard, click the SETTINGS option → ADVANCED → scroll down until SECURITY.

Let me know if you find it ok?

[agGitHub]

Thanks. I have no IP address listed here. So, what solution do I have to see my install events in AdsManager ? Except solution 2. (that is to say downgrading the SDK) Thanks !

Believe or not, the solution that works for me was: Install the Facebook APP on the same device I'm developing my app and logging with the same developer account and enabling tracking (ATT Tracking Consent) would get things working.