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[Q] Do all applications get root priviliges on a rooted android phone?

Or what is the exact mechanism behind this in Android? I have been using GNU/Linux for many years so I understand the original concept and would not want every app to have root privileges.

The Superuser app allows you to accept & deny all root apps. You can also choose to always allow certain apps, but you don't have to.

I don't quite understand this. Who gives the apps the privileges. I suppose the Superuser app is only the frontend for some system service. And does it work as a white list or as a black list. Meaning: Does every app get root priviliges by default on a rooted phone or do I have to manually give root privileges to desired apps but the rest doesn't even realize it's on a rooted phone.

By default, apps are denied root privileges. If I restore an app that runs as root in the background -along with its data - the app won't work until I launch it & grant it superuser permissions. Droidwall is a good example of this. Droidwall works by denying or allowing 3g and/or wifi access to apps based on your input. It does this by changing the iptables. If I flash a new ROM & restore with Titanium Backup, I usually forget that Droidwall isn't doing its job until I notice ads in an app that isn't supposed to connect. Once the app is launched & I choose to apply the rules, Superuser prompts me to allow the changes. If I do not make a choice within 10 seconds, SU automatically denies the root request.
In short, an app will never run as root (aside from superuser itself, if that counts) without you first allowing it. Also be aware that most everyday apps will never ask for root access as they don't need it to run. Only apps that are making changes to the system (reading or writing) will need root access. As far as accessing your contact data & other stuff you may worry about, any app can do that if it has permission (not root) to do so. When you first install an app, you will see a list of permissions - usually an app needs those permissions to run and there's nothing to worry about.

OK, thanks I understand it more now. What would happen if I didn't install Superuser. Is there a built in daemon for superuser privileges?

Don't fight the powers that be. Install superuser. You need it.

I'm pretty sure you'll get error messages from most root apps. I could be wrong, though. Next time I'm about to flash a new ROM, I'll remove Superuser after I do my backup, just because I'm curious. I'm pretty sure that Superuser or an alternative - if one exists - is necessary. I know the ability is there in the os, but I would think that it would need some kind of vehicle (such as an app) to relay the information. I certainly hope apps wouldn't automatically be granted root privileges, but I'm not sure. It's an interesting question, though.
Roms come pre-loaded with Superuser, and any auto-root method does as well. You would only be without it if you root manually, stay on stock, and choose not to push the app. Or, I guess, if you choose to remove it.

App to Prevent App Installation

Guys,
Does anyone know of a software package for windows or even an app for the android that will basically lock down the phone so no apps can be installed unless there is a password entered (by I.T. Administrator etc)? We are trying to rollout android phones but would like to limit app installation.
Thanks

Yeah sure remove the VENDING.apk in the system/app folder, root permission is needed for this though, I use a program called root explorer, and this will remove the android market from the phone/tablet.
But there would still be other ways to install apps, that would be just removing the most obvious

Permission manager not working any more, but old permissions still exist

Hello,
in times of Nexus5 and 4.4 I used the permission manager to set all permissions I want random apps to have.
I declined the gps access to my banking app (German Postbank app).
Then I updated to 4.4.2 and the permission manager app stopped working.
Today I found out that the banking app could show me the cashpoint next to me. Unfortunately the banking app still doesn't seem to be able to use gps.
How can I reactivate the permissions?
...this means the permission manager does still exist.

cybercrash said:
Hello,
in times of Nexus5 and 4.4 I used the permission manager to set all permissions I want random apps to have.
I declined the gps access to my banking app (German Postbank app).
Then I updated to 4.4.2 and the permission manager app stopped working.
Today I found out that the banking app could show me the cashpoint next to me. Unfortunately the banking app still doesn't seem to be able to use gps.
How can I reactivate the permissions?
...this means the permission manager does still exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do a factory reset OR install Xposed framework and install the AppOps module and then change the permissions you want ( of course you have to be rooted to use Xposed). i don't think you have any other options.
p.s. questions should go in tht Q&A section

Giving su rights to an app on a not rooted device

Hey guys,
This is the wrong place forum, but I like you guys, so I will ask you a question
Say there is an app that requires root (in this case Cisco AnyConnect rooted version), but I do not want to have root access enabled from within Android OS. Is there a way to install the app with automatic root access? E.g. by flashing it from within the recovery?
Thanks,
Su

Do it need root access or system permissions ?
If it needs root, you must have "su" in android OS.
If it needs system permisssions, you could push it in /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ (more access than /system/app/)

Hmm, from the description, it seems like root access... ah well, from the CM11 SuperUser settings, seems like it is possible to automatically deny root access to all requests, and only allow selected apps.
Perhaps this is a better way to set up the device...

Sumanji said:
Hmm, from the description, it seems like root access... ah well, from the CM11 SuperUser settings, seems like it is possible to automatically deny root access to all requests, and only allow selected apps.
Perhaps this is a better way to set up the device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
every app that wants SU permission should be prompting you the first time to allow or deny it.
if any app gets SU permission without you allowing it, something is wrong.
what i dont understand is, you said the phone is NOT rooted, then mentioned cm11. if you are running cm11, your phone is already rooted.

[Q] Anyone else has problems with Autostarts?

Anyone else using Autostarts on their S6? If yes, are you able to use it?
This is the app i'm talking about:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elsdoerfer.android.autostarts&hl=en
The app opens fine and the first time you try to disable something Supersu pops up to ask if you want to grant it root access, but after that a white box appears and nothing happens.
Attached a screenshot of that white box.
I've already tried several things but to no avail: flashed a custom kernel so SE is permissive instead of enforcing, deleting the root access and reauthorize it, etc.
It's not lollipop because it works on my Tab S and Note 3 (before) both running Lollipop...
Tried another app as well (forgot the name) and receive a message that root access failed (if i remember correctly). Clean Master and Elixir 2 are doing the job at the moment, but Autostarts is much easier to use for that kind of stuff.
I'm not having root access problems with another apps.

Alta1r said:
Anyone else using Autostarts on their S6? If yes, are you able to use it?
This is the app i'm talking about:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elsdoerfer.android.autostarts&hl=en
The app opens fine and the first time you try to disable something Supersu pops up to ask if you want to grant it root access, but after that a white box appears and nothing happens.
Attached a screenshot of that white box.
I've already tried several things but to no avail: flashed a custom kernel so SE is permissive instead of enforcing, deleting the root access and reauthorize it, etc.
It's not lollipop because it works on my Tab S and Note 3 (before) both running Lollipop...
Tried another app as well (forgot the name) and receive a message that root access failed (if i remember correctly). Clean Master and Elixir 2 are doing the job at the moment, but Autostarts is much easier to use for that kind of stuff.
I'm not having root access problems with another apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not been able to get it to work on 64 bit Lollipop both on my Galaxy S6 and Nexus 9. Wish I knew why!

I will email the developer with the issue.
I the mean time I've started using Myandroidtool which has it also categorised in different events (at boot, connectivity changed, etc.). It's under Receivers Not as good as Autustarts but it's pretty decent.

Anyone get a logcat? Please.
I am adding it to mine via adding the code etc...
So please upload a catlog so I can see and maybe can figure it out.