Using XPRIVACY*****won't be adding any more stuff to this guide for a while. will continue this when i have enough free time*******
XPRIVACY is undoubtedly the best privacy app out there. Its because of the options it supports almost all the android versions.
But it is not as easy to understand as App Ops or Pdroid privacy guard. Thats why inspite of my many attempts to use it, i gave up after few hours or days and switched back to App Ops.
It has come along way from when i made those attempts, it has become more user friendly and interactive but so many options which is its biggest plus point, also makes it hard for new users to switch from other privacy app to XPRIVACY.
I recently made a small guide about HOW TO USE APP OPS MORE EFFECTIVELY.
So the next obvious step was GUIDE on XPRIVACY. i have been putting it off from many days but now no more will add more videos whenever i can but its about time i that i finally get started with it.
I hope this guide will help my fellow XDA members to make the required switch or to introduce them to the world of XPRIVACY
Installation instruction, minimum requirements and other usefull stuff can be found at the official thread of XPRIVACY
What this Guide is ABOUT???
>This guide is for NOOB users, so that they can understand how to use XPRIVACY. Also as i ahven't purchased the PRO version yet this huide will only cover functions of FREE version. I will be buying the PRO version soon and then it will cover use of PRO features as well
>I will try to explain different restriction using different apps.
>Examples will be video of the app with and without those restrictions and the effect that those restriction will have on that app
>NOTE 1 - this is not full blown guide and it is just to get you started. However it can turn into full blown guide depending on the inputs from various users and also after a certain time as i get better in using this app.
>Note 2: Differnet categories are explained using different app. Most of the times category name will be used as heading as you can see in 3rd point, but at some places where permissions like location, contacts , clipboard etc are explained i will use these words only as these words will result in easier understanding.
> More and more videos will be added as i find the appropriate app and a way to demonstrate the use of a particular permission using that app.
LETS STARTYoutube playlist link
1) Faking or restriction location
I am pretty sure this is going to be very useful to many people for playing location based games or to become mayor of certain place in foursquare and i am sure you can think of using it in many other apps.
Please note that you cannot fake location for some apps like google maps and facebook. these are the only two apps that i know of. you cannot fake location for these two apps but you can restrict it.
Also as you can see in the video you will be able to fake location in foursquare but when you will try to access google maps view from inside Foursqaure app you will get no location. But still you can check in and get suggestion from foursquare based on your fake location. default fake location is CHRISTMAS ISLAND. but you can change it through XPRIVACY(which is covered in the video).
2) Blocking access to the different accounts configured in your device
For this i have used Chrome beta as you can see in the video that blocking the account permissions will result in chrome not seeing the different google accounts that are present on my device. Thus i am unable to sign in chrome beta to sync my bookmarks and other stuff.
You can use this to block access from those app which try to gain access to the different accounts configured in your device.
Note: if you block access to 9gag, Ifunny etc apps like these for which you sign in using your configured google account. You wont be able to sign in those apps as these apps won't be able to see the configured account.
Although if a you sign in using username or email id which you use only for that particular app. You can block restrict this permission as it will have no negative effect on that app behaviour
3) Xprivacy Category - View Browser
For explaining what this permission does i have used DIGG app. This permission will restrict app from opening external links. or more precisely hyperlinks from withing app. If this permission is restricted you will be displayed warning from xprivacy when you try to open any link from withing the app(shown in the video).
4) More Videos to come soon..........
More videos to be added whenever i can find time and based on users input. I am also a beginner when it comes to XPRIVACY so be patient with me and if you have any ideas to make this thread better please do share it with us.
Once you have enough understanding to use Xprivacy on daily basis you can head over to XPRIVACY thread and post you advanced question there.
Currently i have some personal stuff to take care of so updating this thread is on hold. Will update it with more videos as soon as i can. I have made the videos just need to edit them and upload.
Reserved
reserved
Other Useful threads by Me
[GUIDE] Using Apps Ops (or Privacy Guard) 4 blocking wakelocks & saving battery
[App] Samachar - Indian News app and more
thanks
thanks for this helpful tutorial.
can u please tell me if I could use xprivacy to block adds on apps , cheers
drreality said:
thanks for this helpful tutorial.
can u please tell me if I could use xprivacy to block adds on apps , cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can block internet permission. That will block ads but that can also make app useless if it needs internet to function.
Why don't you use adaway or adblock pro to block ads?
I know this is a dumb question but I've been using Xprivacy for a few years now and I never could figure out what the two boxes to the right of the application names are for. I believe one is for restrict and one is for allow? If someone could let me know which each of those boxes means it would be much appreciated.
Good question. The two-column system is a later addition to xprivacy and many of the newbie tutorials don't cover it.
Let's take a simple example like location.
For starters, let's say the second column is unchecked. This is the easiest situation to understand. Then what happens depends on the first column.
The first column -- if it's checked then xprivacy will always deny access to location and will instead feed the app fake information as set up in the xprivacy settings.
If however the first column is unchecked then the app will be able to get to your actual location.
This is what you want with an app where the answer to "can it use this permission?" is always the same (either "always" or "never"). Second column unchecked, first column choice telling the app yes or no.
The second column controls the pop-ups that you see with xprivacy. If the second column is checked then you'll get a pop-up asking whether to allow the app the permission or not (whether or not the first column is checked).
There are four choices -- "allow", "deny", "don't know", and "oops I timed out".
"oops I timed out" will give the app whatever the answer in the first column is. You can tell what the first column is because the app says "Timeout will: allow/deny" depending on whether the first column is unchecked/checked.
If you click "allow" in the pop-up then xprivacy unchecks the second column in its settings, unchecks the first, and gives the app access to your true location. The popup will then not appear again unless you recheck the second column in the xprivacy settings.
If you click "deny" then xprivacy unchecks the second column, checks the first column and feeds the app fake location. Again you'll not see the popup again.
If you click "Don't know" then I *think* xprivacy denies access (whether or not the first column is unchecked) and leaves the second column checked, so it will ask again the next time.
How did I find this out? Well I didn't read it from a FAQ! I just downloaded xprivacy yesterday and I found it incredibly difficult to work out from scratch. In the end I just downloaded an app which prints out your gps location and nothing else, and I just experimented with it. The above is a report on my conclusions. I hope it helps other people because it is the post which I wish I could have read this time yesterday.
Note that other permissions might work slightly differently. For example it is not really possible to feed an app fake internet information, as this would require carrying around a fake internet on your phone. You can get a quick idea about what data can be faked by looking at the xprivacy settings. For example, you can fake your phone number and your MAC address. But as I've said you can't fake your internet and you can't fake your storage either -- which is quite a good idea because if you pretend to let an app write to your SD card and then pretend to let it read it and it can't find what it just wrote, this is bound to lead to trouble, probably more trouble than if you'd just denied it access in the first place.
Nice tutorial
@yannick.12
Many many thanks for you're well explained tutorial.
This is was definitley needed because is still (incredibly) very hard to find out some good guide out there, expecially for the "second column" options, as you mentioned.
Thank you, again my friend :good:
I got also another question (if someone knonw the answer) about the "shared rules". I mean, if I download the rules for some app, from the XPrivacy server, it's supposed to be the settings that someone has configure, ok. But what if I send my rules and, later in time, I download it again for that app? I got my rules (the rules that I uploaded before) or I got the " common" rules setted shared by the XPrivacy?
Sent from my Xperia E4g using XDA-Developers mobile app
Is it possible for xPrivacy to allow app's permission? I'm using a phone that runs android 5.1.1 and some apps just don't ask for permissions which makes it impossible for me to access storages. It will only respond that app has no permission to write over storages which makes the app not functional.
rUx_Gaming said:
Is it possible for xPrivacy to allow app's permission? I'm using a phone that runs android 5.1.1 and some apps just don't ask for permissions which makes it impossible for me to access storages. It will only respond that app has no permission to write over storages which makes the app not functional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't work like that.... And that issue is still there.. Even with pie... App's developer fault..
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Kapiljhajhria said:
Won't work like that.... And that issue is still there.. Even with pie... App's developer fault..
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for info. Is there any possible workaround for this other than contacting the devs to fix storage permission issue?
rUx_Gaming said:
Thanks for info. Is there any possible workaround for this other than contacting the devs to fix storage permission issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, give permission manually from app info
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Kapiljhajhria said:
No, give permission manually from app info
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess there'snothing I can do other than look for an alternative app, android 5.1.1 won't let you edit app permission.
rUx_Gaming said:
I guess there'snothing I can do other than look for an alternative app, android 5.1.1 won't let you edit app permission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean give app permission from app's info. I think u can do that... Dont remember 5.1.1 interface now but it should be possible
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Kapiljhajhria said:
I mean give app permission from app's info. I think u can do that... Dont remember 5.1.1 interface now but it should be possible
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone doesn't seem so. Here's how it looks like in the app settings.
Related
App Ops eXtended is a launcher for the 4.3 AND 4.4 App Ops activity, as well as an installer for a more advanced version of App Ops with added features:
- search for apps
- filter out disabled apps
- sorting alphabetically
- batch grant/revoke OPs (permissions)
- ability to automatically deny permissions chosen by you on new app installs
- optional persistent notification to show revoked permissions for the current foreground app
App Ops X is a recompiled version of Android 4.3's App Ops which we've made available to Kit Kat now too.
We're going to improve on it and add new features, so please, if there's anything you'd like to see just let us know! Also if you have any problems with it, please send us a description along with your ROM. Thanks!
Link: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colortiger.appopsinstaller
Can you add the option to take away ability from apps to connect to the internet, or to write to the USB storage, or to read the phone status and identity? That's what I would call extended app ops
sordna said:
Can you add the option to take away ability from apps to connect to the internet, or to write to the USB storage, or to read the phone status and identity? That's what I would call extended app ops
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't these apps work by listing ALL the permissions that an individual app can access ? So if it can't access the internet or GPS or or or it won't give the option to denied ?
drawde40599 said:
Don't these apps work by listing ALL the permissions that an individual app can access ? So if it can't access the internet or GPS or or or it won't give the option to denied ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App Ops lists some, not all permissions. Look at chrome, it doesn't say that it has any network permissions, neither write storage, but if you look at them in Settings->apps you can see it does.
sordna said:
App Ops lists some, not all permissions. Look at chrome, it doesn't say that it has any network permissions, neither write storage, but if you look at them in Settings->apps you can see it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha I never really looked at apps like chrome , I really only use it for games and shady apps downloaded from the internet . I agree finding a way to show all permissions would be great
Many thanks!! I was waiting for kit Kat version.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Yep, working on the INTERNET permission right now. App Ops eXtended uses the same AppOpsManager as the native app, which doesn't support it, so it's a bit more work, but we're getting there!
Looks nice !
If I may, once App Ops X is installed, the button still says Install App Ops X Maybe you could change it to "Launch App Ops X"
That's done, along with a few other features:
- notification that shows revoked permissions to the current foreground app
- batch grant/revoke a permission to all apps that requested it at once
- rules - automatically disallow permissions of your choosing to newly installed apps (like READ CONTACTS)
Don't see wake lock option in X version
First thanks for make this great app available on Kitkat platform.
I'm not sure if the following bug might be related to my phone only:
When trying the Native AppOps, all works fine and I see the "wake lock" option.
However when I try the AppOps X, I'm unable to see the option for "wake lock". I had granted superuser access to the app and phone is rooted. I'm on Kitkat (Build from CM 11). Phone is a Samsung S2 I9100.
If nobody is having this issue, then I would guess it's something with my OS or phone.
zrgiu said:
That's done, along with a few other features:
- notification that shows revoked permissions to the current foreground app
- batch grant/revoke a permission to all apps that requested it at once
- rules - automatically disallow permissions of your choosing to newly installed apps (like READ CONTACTS)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is cool! Can you also present the apps sorted by name ? The standard app ops show the apps in random order, so it's hard to find a specific app you are looking for, if it falls under a section with a lot of apps.
keepasa said:
When trying the Native AppOps, all works fine and I see the "wake lock" option.
However when I try the AppOps X, I'm unable to see the option for "wake lock".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that! It is actually a bug on our side which we'll try to get fixed by the next version! Feel free to suggest any improvements if you have an ideas too!
sordna said:
This is cool! Can you also present the apps sorted by name ? The standard app ops show the apps in random order, so it's hard to find a specific app you are looking for, if it falls under a section with a lot of apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are actually sorted so that the app which most recently used that OP is shown first. We'll try to add a sort option by the next version too though!
Does it affect OTA Updates?
THX
Bernd
bgrimm said:
Does it affect OTA Updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shouldn't affect them in any way.
Is there a way to stop notifications?
killall said:
Is there a way to stop notifications?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In App Ops X on the upper right side there's a "settings" button, and there on the unlocked version the first option is for turning off the notification. If you haven't unlocked (purchased) though and you see notifications from App Ops X then that's a bug which we'll try to fix ASAP.
Yeh I have upgraded, but still get notifications, even if unchecked in settings
killall said:
Yeh I have upgraded, but still get notifications, even if unchecked in settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
found it, thanks! fixing now!
My main concern is the device ID. is there anyway to stop apps from gaining access to that? Seems like a good app so far. Nice job
Greatness83 said:
My main concern is the device ID. is there anyway to stop apps from gaining access to that? Seems like a good app so far. Nice job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
There isn't any way through the AppOpsManager as of yet. Even so, the device ID now isn't as unique as it used to be, since it's software generated as opposed to hardware. I'm still looking into it to confirm that it's so, but the most of the internet tells that it is.
Before I begin note for:
Everyone:
I am making this thread as much as noob friendly. So if anyone doesn't understand any term or anything please let me know through posting here or PM me.
Moderators:
This is my first guide. I tried to follow all the rules if my thread is breaking any rules please let me know so I can make appropriate changes.
If the thread is in wrong section please move it.
This guide is only for:
- Android 4.3 and above which has app ops (privacy guard)
App Ops (or privacy guard) can be used for:
- denying specific permission to a certain app
-checking which apps are kepping your phone awake and which apps are the one using resources like location, personal stuff, etc ( only if your app ops or privacy guard has " advance" option. watch video to know what it is.)
- preventing app from causing wakelock
-overall it can be sort of used like wakelock blocker, battery saver app ( because of its feature to block wakelock) and noob friendly way of determining apps that causes wakelocks.
Usefull Links
using BBS to find cause of your battery drain. short video on that here
How to prevent & handle wakelocks & save battery life[GUIDE]
COMPLETE GUIDE for BATTERY SAVING on AOKP,AOSP,CM, SAMMY ROMs
Video on How to prevent wakelock using privacy guard (app ops) and prevent battery drain by a particular app.
Another small video with little different content
Power Point Presentation
for those who are not able to understand my accent or usually have trouble with spoken english. or just are not in mood for wasting data on youtube video. here is the power point presentation. I was not able to upload here on xda so i have used google drive.
PPT on Using App Ops( privacy guard) to its full potential (includes saving battery)
(Best viewed on laptops, computer or mobile devices with bigger screen)
I was a little late (actually lot late) to use app ops
It was recently that I started using app ops (now mostly know as privacy guard)
Not only can it be used for privacy purposes but it can also be used as battery saving app or wakelock blocker.
Different Roms have a little different app ops( privacy guard) some provides user advance options some don’t. Some even has little extra option and sort of interactive mode like xprivacy. (like temasek’s ROM which I use)
I am made this video with temasek’s ROM which is my favorite ROM.
Reserved
Waiting for PowerPoint because my understanding of spoken english is (very) limited.
Thank you!
app ops starter
When i launch App Ops Starter it crushes saying 'settings has stopped'
aavvaallooss said:
Waiting for PowerPoint because my understanding of spoken english is (very) limited.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will be soon just waiting for one or two days. I have asked for some screenshots on various threads of different ROMs. So that it will make a better presentation and comparison of different options in different ROMs. If i don't get enough screenshots in two days then i will myself download and flash some ROMs.
C114 said:
When i launch App Ops Starter it crushes saying 'settings has stopped'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I faced same problem once. Don't remember now when and why as ut was long time back. I think it might have something to do with your ROM. If you are using xposed framework try using "app ops" module. I will try to recreate this error when i flash different ROM (Which is at least once a week) if i am able to replicate this error i will let you know why and what caused it.
I flashed one ROM over another after wiping just cache, dalvik and system which lead to same error message except it was when i tried to access "developer option"
So did you change your ROM recently without full wipe or procedure as mentioned in your ROM's thread?
Kapiljhajhria said:
I faced same problem once. Don't remember now when and why as ut was long time back. I think it might have something to do with your ROM. If you are using xposed framework try using "app ops" module. I will try to recreate this error when i flash different ROM (Which is at least once a week) if i am able to replicate this error i will let you know why and what caused it.
I flashed one ROM over another after wiping just cache, dalvik and system which lead to same error message except it was when i tried to access "developer option"
So did you change your ROM recently without full wipe or procedure as mentioned in your ROM's thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App Ops module for xposed does not work as well. Same problem. Im on 4.4.2 Google Edition. I have Samsung s4. Flashed current rom with full wipe as it stated in instruction. Cheers
Send from my C3350 using Tapatalk.
screenshots
Hey,just to provide screenshots of Privacy Guard from SOKP 4.4.2 rom for i9300.It can be found in settings>privacy>privacy guard.Hope it helps
thanks for the info
How's for S4 I9500?
Anyone know where to find this option, or how to unhide it?
KnifeHead said:
How's for S4 I9500?
Anyone know where to find this option, or how to unhide it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using xposed. Try "app ops" module . uf there is app ops hidden on your device it will unhide it. But from some stock ROMs it has been completely removed. And in some custom ROMs developers might have limited its use(functionality).
Try asking in the thread of ROM that you are currently on. You will known for sure from there where the app ops is on your ROM.
Kapiljhajhria said:
If you are using xposed. Try "app ops" module . uf there is app ops hidden on your device it will unhide it. But from some stock ROMs it has been completely removed. And in some custom ROMs developers might have limited its use(functionality).
Try asking in the thread of ROM that you are currently on. You will known for sure from there where the app ops is on your ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried app ops xposed and it can unhide app ops in setting > more > app ops
Using samsung stock rom ubufnd2.
C114 said:
App Ops module for xposed does not work as well. Same problem. Im on 4.4.2 Google Edition. I have Samsung s4. Flashed current rom with full wipe as it stated in instruction. Cheers
Send from my C3350 using Tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can give this app a try.
found one article here some text from that is below:
Users of Galaxy S4 Google Play edition handsets have started receiving Android 4.2.2 over-the-air update notifications just a day after the same update was rolled out to Play editions of LG G Pad 8.3 and HTC One.
Android 4.4.2 not only brings in new features and bug fixes, but also removes App Ops from the OS which Google claims was mistakenly tagged along with the Android 4.3 update. The Apps Ops allowed users to control how much access can third party apps have on their personal data.
the app for which i have given you the link installs some customized version of app ops. not sure whether it will work on your phone or not.
Can someone confirm for me what some of the permissions are actually for?
Wi-Fi change
Data change
Bluetooth change
Also, if I allow an app 'Wake up', but not 'Keep awake' - could the app keep waking the phone in an attempt to gain the wakelock which it is being denied?
'Keep awake' only applies if the screen is off, correct?
If I deny 'Keep awake' then an app won't close down while I'm using it, but it could be put into hibernation (don't know the correct term) by Android while it's in the middle of a background task? Like a radio app could just close, or a browser which is downloading something could just terminate the download before it's completed?
Kapiljhajhria said:
you can give this app a try.
found one article here some text from that is below:
Users of Galaxy S4 Google Play edition handsets have started receiving Android 4.2.2 over-the-air update notifications just a day after the same update was rolled out to Play editions of LG G Pad 8.3 and HTC One.
Android 4.4.2 not only brings in new features and bug fixes, but also removes App Ops from the OS which Google claims was mistakenly tagged along with the Android 4.3 update. The Apps Ops allowed users to control how much access can third party apps have on their personal data.
the app for which i have given you the link installs some customized version of app ops. not sure whether it will work on your phone or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On play store it says 'item not found'.
Thanks for your help.
Send from my C3350 using Tapatalk.
setspeed said:
Can someone confirm for me what some of the permissions are actually for?
Wi-Fi change
Data change
Bluetooth change
Also, if I allow an app 'Wake up', but not 'Keep awake' - could the app keep waking the phone in an attempt to gain the wakelock which it is being denied?
'Keep awake' only applies if the screen is off, correct?
If I deny 'Keep awake' then an app won't close down while I'm using it, but it could be put into hibernation (don't know the correct term) by Android while it's in the middle of a background task? Like a radio app could just close, or a browser which is downloading something could just terminate the download before it's completed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wake up means : if device is in standby mode then that app can wake up your phone from sleep. like Facebook app when you recieve some notification it wakes up your phone to show notification.
keep awake means: while your phone is in use. if you are using some app and it is performing some operation and your phone screen times out and display switched off. after a while your phone will go in deep sleep. this permission will prevent it from going in deep sleep mode and keep phone awake. for example if you are downloading something via some download manager. and you have denied that download manager "keep awake" permission. so after you screen times out and there is no other app or process that is keeping your phone awake. this download manager will not be able to keep your phone awake. so download will stop .
so you need to use these permissions carefully. make sure you don't deny some app permission which is essential for its normal function.
you can deny Facebook both these wakelocks if you don't care about getting facebook notification all the time
Wifi Change and Data change is normally shown in apps that uses data. and also have options like sync or download only on wifi or only on mobile data. it is essential for that app to determine the change. so that it can act according to its settings.
For Bluetooth change you need to tell me for which app you are talking about? maybe some automatic profiles app like llama, tasker, etc they need this permission as there are profiles or conditions like switch on Bluetooth when in this area or if connected to this Bluetooth device do this
few people denied "settings" wake up and keep awake permission and they screwed up their phone. they had to reflash the entire ROM . they reported no touch, device not waking up from deep sleep. etc.
so just be extra careful when you are experimenting with system apps.
C114 said:
On play store it says 'item not found'.
Thanks for your help.
Send from my C3350 using Tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search play store for App ops
there are plenty of apps that unhide App ops and some also flash App Ops files .
Also can you give me the link to thread of your current ROM.
Kapiljhajhria said:
Search play store for App ops
there are plenty of apps that unhide App ops and some also flash App Ops files .
Also can you give me the link to thread of your current ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link to the ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353
I think i found the solution with this app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.findsdk.apppermission
Send from my C3350 using Tapatalk.
C114 said:
Link to the ROM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353
I think i found the solution with this app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.findsdk.apppermission
Send from my C3350 using Tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if thats working for you then great.
BTW your ROM does have app ops
below quote is from your ROM chnagelog 02/18/2014.
Enabled app ops in Settings > Security, Take total control of the permissions apps are granted when you install them from google play, VERY useful if you are concerned about privacy or you just don't want some misc app seeing your SMS's or having network permissions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aavvaallooss said:
Waiting for PowerPoint because my understanding of spoken english is (very) limited.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PPT uploaded
I'm surprised no one has reviewed this app but I'll give it a shot. *edit- attached pics keep going away each time I edit this post. Take a look at the attachments for screenshots.
My Android Tools (free version)
My Android Tools(Pro)
This is an app I stumbled across by chance or mentions in random forum posts and maybe those who've played with it do only a few things such as disable startup items but it's a lot more powerful than that in regards to blocking in-app ads and trackers.
Now, blocking stuff is a multi-prong approach.
You have Adaway for removing the DNS requests for both apps and browser traffic. MAP targets in-app stuff- not browser traffic. That's why you'd do something like Adaway + MinMinGuard/Adblocker XPosed modules. They actually target blocking the code in the app.
something like XPrivacy for sending random info instead of what an app wants from you
And a bunch of apps and XPosed modules to do things like block receivers or in-app ads.
I've whittled it down to Adaway + *Youtube Adaway + *CrappaLinks + My Android Tools(Pro)
*XPosed Modules
from now on I'm calling My Android Tools MAP
First, make a backup of your ROM
Next, make a backup in the About screen in MAP. The optional thing is if you want MAP to open after every app install/upgrade for review of new and updated apps.
*screenshot
The 3 things we'll look at are Services, Broadcast Receivers and Activities.
Services- things that run whenever
Broadcast Receivers - things that respond to system events (boot, connectivity changes, timezone changes, packages added, etc)
Activities - ads and junk that pop up on your screen. Developers add 3rd party sdk's to show pop-ups and stuff. This is how XPosed Modules such as MinMinGuard and Adblocker work
ContentProvider - still haven't figured out if I find stuff here yet. Maybe in Google Play Services it might have some analytics provider but it's basically things that share things with other apps.
*screenshot
Under Services I mainly look at Analytics and Campaign Tracking svcs. It's up to you but these do offer legit tracking analytics to developers.
Google to see what they do
*screenshot
Broadcast Receivers a few apps that do look at a limited selection of these like XPosed module ReceiverStop
mainly I look at 2 of them:
android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED
com.android.vending.INSTALL_REFERRER
*screenshot
Finally, Activities
This is how MinMinguard and the like block things. We're going to block more because MinMinGuard just has a hardcoded list (see above link to its source code. That's what frustrated me about MinMinGuard. If I'm going to block this stuff I'd rather not have a hardcoded list as ad blocking should be equal opportunity if a user is going that route.)
under here it's really about getting familiar with names of ad networks. Here's a hint
I just downloaded a random app to find one with a bunch of fun things.
*screenshot
Great guide, thank you.
royeiror said:
Great guide, thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yw, thanks for the nudge to put it together
Also, note disabling some activities core to an app can cause loss of functionality, force closes, icon removed from the app drawer, etc. That's why I toggle showing the long description of things (that <> button) so I know which are main pieces.
Unity is a library for game development so most of it is actually the app if you see that one a lot.
Sometimes I use the search to look for ad, analytic, track, campaign
Official worst app I've seen for ad activities : agar.io
It's one of the Google recommended apps of 2015 and I was able to find and block 35 ad network activities.
I can't imagine what it's like to actually play the app and what info about you gets collected
@jawz101 : There is an older thread where is shared this app along with an guide which stuff to disable: [SHARE] [APP] MyAndroidTools + Guide to disable some Play Services processes Add it to OP...
@Force I'm wary of disabling too many Google Play Services. I mainly look at the analytics and ads stuff but even then I wonder what repercussions any of it has on battery life. Say, if an app calls for a specific function and it's no longer able to retrieve the information would it cause a force close or get hung in some loop and chew up CPU? I dunno.
Anyone having FCs with the latest version?? It doesn't seem to open at all.. I have a note 4 N910C, on 5.1.1 COJ5, rooted, xposed.
i have been using this for many roms and it saves loads of ram and helps your phone/tablet boot up quicker,i read somewhere that it dont work with xposed or mm both are wrong because i use it on AICP MM ROM and have Xposed installed for XinternalSD and have had no problems at all.
I do submit any crashes if they happen and have emailed the dev in the past when crashes happened. I used to get app crashes until several months ago when trying to backup the current config or when clicking the Content Providers menu option but no longer. Sometimes I completely wiped my device to get it to stop crashing. Since it's been updated these past few months those problems don't occur.
You may want to try reinstalling the app, clearing its data, rebooting, etc to see if something fixed your app crash. Make sure your device I is rooted and the My Android Tools app does indeed have root privileges. Given the nature of the app it may take some error submissions and logcats sent to the dev.
Good to see that somebody reviewed and created a thread for this great app.
Just one question here (if someone could help out) - unlike other apps, Skype seems to be way too stubborn. By mistake I once turned off the connectivity change broadcast receiver. Now, no matter what I do I cannot toggle this receiver back on. WHY? I tried pretty much everything. Rebooting, enabling the receiver from within SD Maid pro, tried making a backup of MAT and then editing this backup manually to remove the tweak for skype but it all failed. With other apps I can toggle their receiver, activities and everything however I see fit and the toggles remain put. With Skype, however, it's a fail. Any help?
Let x
Great tutorial.
As you seem to be very clever with MyAndroidTools, do you have any idea how to spot the services to disable with MyAndroidTools, in order to kill UC news inside the 11.4.5.1005 UC browser last release :
For more or less one week, UC browser has become unusable for Android nowadays with forcing every user with b******* news, foxnews search engine, star magazine search engine, googlenews search engine, yahoo search engine, uc browser search engine, 9app, music player and many more.
Do you think MyAndroidTools could be able to strangle this overwhelming flow of stupidity ?
If yes, there are so much possible items among Services (run whenever), ...
What could be a method to spot the tap and turn it off?
thx
is there any FOSS alternative?
Can't locate in the Play store?
Has the app been removed from the play store? If so is there any chance you could make the file available here? This has been a favorite app of mine for quite sometime. Would hate to see it fade into oblivion.
Guys this was a one-stop app for me...can somebody make the apk here??
Sivabalan said:
Guys this was a one-stop app for me...can somebody make the apk here??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if I would be violating any XDA rules or not. For sure this app is no longer available on the Play store and the developer unfortunately didn't respond to my email. If I can be assured that I'm not violating any XDA rules, I'll gladly share. PS, I love this app I use it for so many things
Bobbaloo said:
I don't know if I would be violating any XDA rules or not. For sure this app is no longer available on the Play store and the developer unfortunately didn't respond to my email. If I can be assured that I'm not violating any XDA rules, I'll gladly share. PS, I love this app I use it for so many things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buddy it's available in apk mirror portal.
App was removed from Play Store how to get the Pro now?
I bought it but if it's in my library its a pita to search a misplaced tap and you back to the top of the list
How I can get this app? It's no longer in the AppStore. I bought the Pro Version.
Bobbaloo said:
I don't know if I would be violating any XDA rules or not. For sure this app is no longer available on the Play store and the developer unfortunately didn't respond to my email. If I can be assured that I'm not violating any XDA rules, I'll gladly share. PS, I love this app I use it for so many things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought it on google play and suddenly it disappeared. I contacted the creator and he wrote me he violated some rules (?) of google play and they cutted off his account, but he send me the full apk. But I don't know if I can share it here and if he wants to share the full version. Anyway it's still possible to find it on some websites (apkmirror and something else).
I'm satisfied with it, expecially after I lost money buying autorun manager pro (the developer is not releasing new version, he said he's not interested in it anymore).
Anyway, if someone has any alternative to suggest to My Android Tools Pro it would be good.
Hi guys
I recently purchased a Elephone S3 from Everbuying.com. I heard people talking about how notorious these Chinese phones are having malware installed on them, so I decided to give the malware check a go and use about 10+ popular Malware detection apps (Avast, Kaspersky, Avira, Trojan Killer, you name it) currently available on Play Store.
Out of all those, excluding warnings that doesn't really matter in this regards (Malware specific), the below two apps gave me those respective warning results.
I have done some research, but i don't think I found any relevant info in this regards. So, for all the guru out there, the question is obvious, should I be worried about these "non-deletable" apps (if not rooted)? If they ARE malicious, can I be worried free by turning off ALL permissions for the apps and in some case, disable the app (I can disable the Beauty Center, not ELE Launcher).
Thanks to you all for any input!
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
App - Beauty Center
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.a
App - ELE Launcher
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.H
Stubborn Trojan Killer
App - Beauty Center
Message - General Trojan
App - ELE Launcher
Message - General Trojan
bagachin said:
Hi guys
I recently purchased a Elephone S3 from Everbuying.com. I heard people talking about how notorious these Chinese phones are having malware installed on them, so I decided to give the malware check a go and use about 10+ popular Malware detection apps (Avast, Kaspersky, Avira, Trojan Killer, you name it) currently available on Play Store.
Out of all those, excluding warnings that doesn't really matter in this regards (Malware specific), the below two apps gave me those respective warning results.
I have done some research, but i don't think I found any relevant info in this regards. So, for all the guru out there, the question is obvious, should I be worried about these "non-deletable" apps (if not rooted)? If they ARE malicious, can I be worried free by turning off ALL permissions for the apps and in some case, disable the app (I can disable the Beauty Center, not ELE Launcher).
Thanks to you all for any input!
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
App - Beauty Center
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.a
App - ELE Launcher
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.H
Stubborn Trojan Killer
App - Beauty Center
Message - General Trojan
App - ELE Launcher
Message - General Trojan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go ahead and disable Beauty Center, as far as ELE Launcher, that seems legit. But if you don't like it, just replace it with something like Nova Launcher.
mattzeller said:
go ahead and disable Beauty Center, as far as ELE Launcher, that seems legit. But if you don't like it, just replace it with something like Nova Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mattzeller, thanks heaps for the info! This might not be a good question, but just for my information, generally speaking, is there a way to distinguish between a real harmful malware (actively stealing personal info) and an app that has more access and integration to the phone's OS than others by looking at the information provided? In other words, is there any obvious give away sign?
Thanks again for the help!
bagachin said:
Hi mattzeller, thanks heaps for the info! This might not be a good question, but just for my information, generally speaking, is there a way to distinguish between a real harmful malware (actively stealing personal info) and an app that has more access and integration to the phone's OS than others by looking at the information provided? In other words, is there any obvious give away sign?
Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well look at reviews of the app, see if it is installing other apps without your consent, or constantly nagging you to download other apps. Generally 99.99% of apps on Google play are safe. Occasionally some crapware gets on there, but if you take a look at its rating and reviews (not just the highlights) you should be good.
Sent from my SCH-R220
bagachin said:
Hi mattzeller, thanks heaps for the info! This might not be a good question, but just for my information, generally speaking, is there a way to distinguish between a real harmful malware (actively stealing personal info) and an app that has more access and integration to the phone's OS than others by looking at the information provided? In other words, is there any obvious give away sign?
Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always check the apps permissions. I absolutely refuse to install an app that has permissions that it shouldn't be using. However, if the app you're about to download needs permissions related to the app features, that's OK with me.
I see so many Play Store apps that are just total spyware in my book. Flashlight apps are a good example of this. There is zero reasons a flashlight app needs to read my contacts or a data connection. Just be mindful of reviews and permissions and you'll be OK.
KernelCorn said:
Always check the apps permissions. I absolutely refuse to install an app that has permissions that it shouldn't be using. However, if the app you're about to download needs permissions related to the app features, that's OK with me.
I see so many Play Store apps that are just total spyware in my book. Flashlight apps are a good example of this. There is zero reasons a flashlight app needs to read my contacts or a data connection. Just be mindful of reviews and permissions and you'll be OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't worry about apps with excessive permissions, I just revoke the permissions I don't like.
Sent from my SCH-R220
mattzeller said:
I don't worry about apps with excessive permissions, I just revoke the permissions I don't like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the best way to do it.
I do the same thing, but I see lots of people posting here that aren't too tech savvy. For them be mindful of what you download.
mattzeller said:
Well look at reviews of the app, see if it is installing other apps without your consent, or constantly nagging you to download other apps. Generally 99.99% of apps on Google play are safe. Occasionally some crapware gets on there, but if you take a look at its rating and reviews (not just the highlights) you should be good.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice. Yes, I am aware that common source/cause of malwares are side load apps and rooted device. So I am always fairly cautious about any apps i installed via non-play store source. However, these two caught apk are installed right out of box. That kinda annoys me. I don't jump on the bandwagon and say Chinese phones are infested with malwares and I believe a lot of the time people just over exaggerate and blow some minority out of proportion.
However, the truth is, this is the first Chinese phone I got and it came with two identified malwares. To be fair, it might not be particularly malicious, but it's enough to make me have second thought about my purchase....
KernelCorn said:
Always check the apps permissions. I absolutely refuse to install an app that has permissions that it shouldn't be using. However, if the app you're about to download needs permissions related to the app features, that's OK with me.
I see so many Play Store apps that are just total spyware in my book. Flashlight apps are a good example of this. There is zero reasons a flashlight app needs to read my contacts or a data connection. Just be mindful of reviews and permissions and you'll be OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comment! Yes, I am quite careful about the app I get to choose to install, but I have little control over these apps that come pre-installed on these chinese phone and got detected as "malwares"
mattzeller said:
I don't worry about apps with excessive permissions, I just revoke the permissions I don't like.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yap, what I did for those two apps I mentioned are turning off all permissions access to them, disable app for the one I can and turn off background data access. Hopefully it will freeze them for good and stop them from playing naughty.
Just a question though, say I do all those above (e.g. switching off permission, force stopped etc), technically speaking, can a malware still be "active and do what they "meant" to do"? I meant after all, they are meant to do something "out of control" right?
bagachin said:
Yap, what I did for those two apps I mentioned are turning off all permissions access to them, disable app for the one I can and turn off background data access. Hopefully it will freeze them for good and stop them from playing naughty.
Just a question though, say I do all those above (e.g. switching off permission, force stopped etc), technically speaking, can a malware still be "active and do what they "meant" to do"? I meant after all, they are meant to do something "out of control" right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, if you revoke the permission to view your contacts, it is the system that is blocking the apps ability to view your contacts.
Though I think you are being a little paranoid.
Everyone freaks out out all the permissions apps require, when the app actually never uses most of the permissions it asks for, at least not in the way you think. You wouldn't think the launcher needs permissions to access your contacts, but it does. How else is it going to allow you to make a call, or display an incoming all, or missed call/text badges.
I mean take a look at the litany of permissions Nova Launcher and TeslaUnread require, yet we all know the app is not malware. As long as you install from legitimate sources, you will be fine. Like I said in my first post, disable the Beauty app, the other is the Launcher. If you don't like it, install a different one.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Who would you rather have snoop in on your calls? China, or USA.. Because it is one or the other.. me personally, I will take the country in which I do not reside...
mattzeller said:
No, if you revoke the permission to view your contacts, it is the system that is blocking the apps ability to view your contacts.
Though I think you are being a little paranoid.
Everyone freaks out out all the permissions apps require, when the app actually never uses most of the permissions it asks for, at least not in the way you think. You wouldn't think the launcher needs permissions to access your contacts, but it does. How else is it going to allow you to make a call, or display an incoming all, or missed call/text badges.
I mean take a look at the litany of permissions Nova Launcher and TeslaUnread require, yet we all know the app is not malware. As long as you install from legitimate sources, you will be fine. Like I said in my first post, disable the Beauty app, the other is the Launcher. If you don't like it, install a different one.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately the way things are with the permissive Android system, we have to be a little paranoid. The built in system apps like launchers and permissions can't be disabled easily unless the user is technical enough to know about rooting using apps like xposed/xprivacy.
Can someone suggest me some lightweight app cloning application ? It does not have to be free but has to be good.
Must have for me i a possibility to turn off it from background running, i don't need any notifications from cloned apps.
porlock said:
Can someone suggest me some lightweight app cloning application ? It does not have to be free but has to be good.
Must have for me i a possibility to turn off it from background running, i don't need any notifications from cloned apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found 3 version of one app, try the one you want:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lbe.parallel.intl
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parallel.space.lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parallel.space.pro
I just wonder what an app cloning application is.
Raiz said:
Found 3 version of one app, try the one you want:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lbe.parallel.intl
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parallel.space.lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parallel.space.pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already tried, that app is little shady, why it is in 3 versions, i don't see any difference between them, devs what's to hide negative comments and publish it again ? second why it need to manage my notifications, that is read or remove notifications from other apps (including verification SMS or emails that popup in notification bar), i don't see a good reason for that, and if i will not allow it will display all the time very annoying baner on top that will try to convince me to give the app that rights. I would not recommend it, that personal information thieves does not use stolen data instantly when they got it, they wait till you lost track when and where you can give it to them. So at some time it could happens that in magical way some account number was added as trusted on your bank account and all your cash goes there.
maybe you can use the cloner app