Multiple application_install events sent on fresh installs despite single initialization

[topaloglun]

Describe the bug

I am initializing the Snowplow Tracker only once in the Application class using:

Snowplow.createTracker(...)

However, on new installs, the application_install event is sent multiple times, instead of just once.

I also have regular track events in various activities and Jetpack Compose screens, but they should not affect the application_install event.

To Reproduce

Install the app fresh (not from an update).
Open the app and observe the Snowplow event logs.
Notice that multiple application_install events are sent, despite only initializing the tracker once.

Expected behavior

The application_install event should only be sent once per new install.
Any other events (screen track, structured trackj) should work as expected but should not trigger extra application_install events.

Screenshots

Device informatoin (please complete the following information):

• Device: ELP-NX9, M2003J15SC, HMA-L29, SM-S921Band in many more
• OS: Android 13, 14
• Browser N/A
• Version 6.+

Additional context
The tracker is initialized in the Application class once using Snowplow.createTracker(...).
It is not always happening but I see lots of duplicated logs..
No manual call to application_install is made anywhere in my code.

[matus-tomlein]

Hi @topaloglun, thank you for the report!

I have been trying to reproduce this in multiple apps both in JetPack Compose and using Android Activities but have not been able to do so. If you have any more concrete steps on how to reproduce, that would be very helpful!

What is the interval that you see this install events tracked in (you can look at the dvce_created_tstamp)? I'm curious if they are tracked almost at the same time (suggesting some race condition) or with larger gaps (likely a failure to update shared preferences).

[topaloglun]

Hey @matus-tomlein

Locally I don't see duplicate logs in ide logcat but there are many in database logs. Here I share logs which some has exact same timestamp and some has different (3 min to 1 hour difference)

StartUpActivity is auto tracked by Sdk, Calendar is a custom screen event in jetpack compose. Normally I send first event in Application create class called 'AppStart', Calendar is a way later step that user can open(they have to login etc). I am not sure how even application_install event send in Calendar screen since there are many more screen events before this funnel.

Please let me know if I can help more!