Related
Authenticator Plus generates 2-step verification codes which will protect your accounts with both your password and your phone / tablet.
With Authenticator Plus you can seamlessly sync and manage all your 2-step enabled accounts in phones / tablet / kindle.
Notable features:
* Seamlessly sync accounts across your phone, tablet and kindle
* Restore from backup to avoid being locked out if you upgrade or lose your device
* Strong 256-bit AES encryption, so even in rooted devices you accounts are safe
* Personalize as per you needs (Themes, Logos, group your most used account and more)
* battle.net accounts can be added
* Hardware based encryption key support, even rooted apps cannot access the encryption keys - http://help.authenticatorplus.com/hardware-backed-keys/
* Easily import from Google Authenticator
* Import / Export to WinAuth (Authenticator Plus -> Settings -> Backup & Restore -> Import from text file)
Detailed compare with Google Authenticator - http://compare.authenticatorplus.com/
Technical Details - http://design.authenticatorplus.com
Authenticator Plus in Press
I was super excited to find this application. It solves my biggest grievances with Google Authenticator, and does it in a way that is largely invisible to the user (until it matters!). -techThreads
Recommended by Wordpress Authenticator plugin - http://s.www.authenticatorplus.com/wp
NOTE : As a commitment to XDA users, where I have uploaded my first release, I can provide free trial version of the application on request to [email protected]
It's mind-blowing that Google's own Authenticator on its own Android platform lacks the feature to re-order the account entries, while the iOS version does support this.
And also mind-blowing that it lacks PIN control, any option to sync/ backup, and several of the other highly desirable (even necessary!) features which Mufri has built-in to the Authenticator Plus app.
I've also been pleased by Mufri's responsiveness and willingness to work to make the app have only the needed permissions. We've exchanged several detailed technical and philosophical messages; it's very nice to see yet another developer devoted to our community.
I can't make any claims about the security of the app as I'm not a developer (well, haven't been since twenty years ago) and I lack the tools, but I hope that others with more skills than I have will analyze the app and can confirm the app's health so the app can be established as a much better reference than Google's own minimally featured Authenticator, and that we can get Mufri lots of users!
Thanks Mufri,
-Jay
Requesting security analysis
libove said:
It's mind-blowing that Google's own Authenticator on its own Android platform lacks the feature to re-order the account entries, while the iOS version does support this.
And also mind-blowing that it lacks PIN control, any option to sync/ backup, and several of the other highly desirable (even necessary!) features which Mufri has built-in to the Authenticator Plus app.
I've also been pleased by Mufri's responsiveness and willingness to work to make the app have only the needed permissions. We've exchanged several detailed technical and philosophical messages; it's very nice to see yet another developer devoted to our community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Jay for the review.
libove said:
I can't make any claims about the security of the app as I'm not a developer (well, haven't been since twenty years ago) and I lack the tools, but I hope that others with more skills than I have will analyze the app and can confirm the app's health so the app can be established as a much better reference than Google's own minimally featured Authenticator, and that we can get Mufri lots of users!
Thanks Mufri,
-Jay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am open for the security related queries about Authenticator Plus, I myself use it daily and I would be happy to improve its security.
If anyone have questions kindly post your queries here or @ [email protected]
This APK is version 1.3
(Latest is 2.9.x, a lot of development has been done in this year as it seems!)
I downloaded the APK to try it out.
It first works when it is installed and I was able to import my accounts from the original Google Authenticator.
Then I closed the app.
I can open it again but the keyboard pops up saying "sign in" (where usually the "enter" button is).
Even when I enter the correct passphrase it shows only an empty app without the codes.
I can also install and add the import plugin but then I don't see the codes anymore.
Used on: CM 10.2 and CM11.
Very strange...
i just installed the app and i have some issues. first of all i would like the option to not choose a passphrase to open the app, but well thats not a big problem. after i choose a passphrase and set the app up and want to start it again it just shows me the header with the logo of the app but everything else is blank, there is no password field to type in the selected password and even if i type it in, without anything showing, it doesnt open the app. i can just use it once and thats it
also import from google authenticator doesnt work. it tells me no root or script not in xbin. well its all there. the problem is probably root, because the dialogue to grant root never shows up. I try to get it now manually granted but still that doesnt help if i can start the app only once :/
I am on a galaxy note 3. hope someone can help me...
Yes, attached APK was outdated, I have removed it now.
i see to get a blank web site when i visit http://authenticatorplus.com/ ?
devtools reports 404 error
GET https://www.authenticatorplus.com/js/jquery.cycle2.js.map 404 (Not Found)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's weird, might be adblock or some other issues ...
you can try Google cache here, its a simple site, google cache displays well
http://j.mp/1tBGjhH
connectandroid said:
i see to get a blank web site when i visit http://authenticatorplus.com/ ?
devtools reports 404 error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just FYI, I also get a blank page in Firefox with AdBlockPlus, but the page displays properly in an IE (InPrivate) session.
Thanks for the info, I couldn't reproduce this myself in various browsers, is https version working fine?
https://www.authenticatorplus.com/
I will check for cross platform browser tests.
oyam said:
Thanks for the info, I couldn't reproduce this myself in various browsers, is https version working fine?
https://www.authenticatorplus.com/
I will check for cross platform browser tests.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, oops, my bad - had nothing to do with AdBlockPlus; I use NoScript, and hadn't enabled script on the authenticatorplus.com page. Works fine in both http:// and https://
Sorry.
Cool, thanks for the info, I will add a noscript info in site.
Compatibility with Pebble Smartwaches
Hi !
Has anyone tried to use Authenticator Plus with a Pebble smartwach, through Android Wear integration ?
I'll get an Pebble Time in May and hope it will work with it, that's why I'm asking for a clue
Interesting, I never heard of anyone tried it, let me know how it goes .
Store site order in cloud sync?
I use Authenticator Plus with cloud sync via Google Drive.
It seems that the order in which I have the accounts in Authenticator Plus does NOT get sync'd to the cloud (or, if it does get sync'd up, then when the sites are imported back down from the cloud, the order is not maintained).
Can the author comment please?
thanks,
Jay
from last release(3.3.5), app shows more details about sync status in Settings -> Cloud -> last sync status and let me know, what's the last status.
Also please contact [email protected] for faster response.
oyam said:
Interesting, I never heard of anyone tried it, let me know how it goes .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pebble don't get it working through Android Wear, I think a layer is missing, maybe like an "emulator" (not the way Google implemented it) that can send other things but notifications to Pebble (it's the only thing supported for now).
Anyway, IMO for Authenticator Plus it will requires an Pebble OS app and a modification to makes it work as a companion.
Hi,
I would like to add a Battle.net account but the app fails to connect to battle.net server, is this something you can fix ?
edit : and do you think you can add Steam support in future release ?
Same problem with the battle.net server. No matter if I try it at home or at work or via LTE.
Since the Blizzard battle.net Authenticator works and I can access the battle.net site without any problem I suspect a problem with the Authenticator+ App. Syncing time with battle.net is also not working btw (in the settings)
Is the app working in 6.0? If Yes, could u send me a trial?
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.
there was a recent update to one of my games. legend of pirates. the developer sucks every time there is an update some stuff goes missing or there are some major malfunctions. currently everyone that is logged into facebook as their username and password are able to access their account. but if they delete the game and reinstall it, switch to a nutsplay login, google+ login, or delete their cache/data from the settings tab. they will not be able to login to the game using facebook. usually it takes over a month for problems like this to get fixed, so I am asking for help here to see who can help me through the process. I have an android emulator on my laptop and the game is logged into facebook. there is very limited apps downloaded in it so there are not many files associated with the emulator. I have been able to successfully transfer the apk file of the game and also the 98mb extraction file that initially takes place when the game is loaded for the first time. but none of this has the prestored Facebook login. I have cloned the memu instance and opened the cloned version and when I clicked the legend of Pirates application, it was stored with Facebook details and I was able to access my account that way. but I wish to clone it to my phone, or transfer files to specific pathways . I am having some troubles and seek advice. I know this is my first actual post, but that's because I search for my answers and almost always find the exact answer im looking for. please do not think this is some sort of trolling or whatever people call it. I have used xda forums for some good helpful information like the data toggle switch gone missing and how to get that icon back in the quick bar or whatever it is call at the top of your phone. thanks for anyone who knows anything about memu and how to provide me some enlightenment into this issue.
Situation:
I have somewhat of a "love-REALLY HATE" relationship with Google apps and ecosystem.
On one hand, they are great at what they do.
On the other, it's like having a spy satellite overhead, given how much telemetry it does.
Question:
I'd like to cut all of the Google apps' internet, location, sensor and background activity access for good when not in use. Or at least spoof whatever personal data is being sent (Device info, location, activities, etc). Any way to do that?
What I've done so far:
My current way-to-go method involves installing RethinkDNS+firewall, then blocking every single one of google apps including Gboard. It sort-of works, but very inconvenient, as I have to manually enable internet access for a particular app and/or service when needed. I also tried edXposed's XluaPrivacy module to cut off access to certain permissions. Again, cumbersome.
After going through F-Droid, I found an app called "Insular", that claims being able to put all of the "big brother" apps (such as Gapps) behind an isolated sandbox, a digital gulag of sorts.
Thanks for the pointer to Insular whose advertising on F-Droid says:
Insular is a FLOSS fork of Island.
With Insular, you can:
Isolate your Big Brother apps
Clone and run multiple accounts simutaniuosly
Freeze or archive apps and prevent any background behaviors
Unfreeze apps on-demand with home screen shortcuts
Re-freeze marked apps with one tap
Hide apps
Selectively enable (or disable) VPN for different group of apps
Prohibit USB access to mitigate attacks with physical access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on that, I suspect this XDA thread about "Island" may be useful.
[APP][5.0+][BETA] Island - app freezing, privacy protection, parallel accounts
"Island" is a sandbox environment to clone selected apps and isolate them from accessing your personal data outside the sandbox (including call logs, contacts, photos and etc) even if related permissions are granted. Device-bound data is still accessible (SMS, IMEI and etc).
Isolated app can be frozen on demand, with launcher icon vanish and its background behaviors completely blocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totesnochill said:
Question:
I'd like to cut all of the Google apps' internet, location, sensor and background activity access for good when not in use. Or at least spoof whatever personal data is being sent (Device info, location, activities, etc). Any way to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
I don't have a contacts.db sqlite database for that reason too, so my favorite communication apps are all designed to store their own contacts db internally to the app itself.
I replace Google apps with FOSS equivalents such as NewPipe (or, more recently, Vanced YouTube) for example.
And I spoof my GPS location by default (using Lexa Fake GPS, for example).
Of course, given I don't have a Google Account on my phone, I use the Aurora Store instead of the Google Play Store. Of course, I strive for apps that don't require Google Framework Services (GSF) which Aurora neatly filters out for us.
Since I'm not rooted, I can't delete Google Play Store, but I can disable it, which is almost as good.
And, I use privacy-aware apps for my messenger, calendar, contacts, and dialer apps (many of which come from Simple Mobile Tools' suite which are available on F-Droid).
To keep my WiFi SSID/BSSID/GPS/Strength/etc. out of the hands of Google (& Mozilla and Kismet and Wigle, etc.), I add "_nomap" to the SSID and I turn off the SOHO router SSID broadcast (which "hinders" most cellphones from uploading my BSSID information to Google public servers); but then I have to also turn off "AutoReconnect" on Android 12 and also I have the Developer Options set in Android 12 to randomize the MAC address on EACH connection; however that means I need to set any "static" connections on my LAN from the phone and not with address reservation on the router (which typically utilizes the MAC address).
And it's not just Google we need to keep our data out of their hands, as I even use WhatsApp privacy aware tools such as the WhatsApp dialer and WhatsApp Click to Chat mechanisms (to keep my contacts out of Facebook's hands too).
For offline maps, I use a quick web browser lookup on a privacy browser (such as Tor or Epic or Opera), since the Google address lookup is still the best in the world... (which is the love/hate relationship, right?)... and then I paste the GPS coordinates that the privacy browser found on the maps.google.com web site into a local routing application (such as a shortcut to a browser to google maps on the phone or better yet, to a dedicated offline map program such as OSM And~), and even traffic can be gotten without Google (e.g., Sigalert & 511 apps).
I used to reset the Advertising ID with a homescreen shortcut that could be activated from Windows via a batch file over Wi-Fi, but now with Android 12 we can wipe out the Advertising ID altogether (i.e., reset it to all zeroes). However, I still periodically change my GSF ID and other supposedly unique identifiers.
I'm still trying to figure out the implication of "trackers", so if anyone has more information about them, please advise.
Off hand there must be scores more things I do for privacy, where we probably should have a main thread on this site of all the myriad things people can do to increase their privacy on Android (some of which I've screenshotted for you below).
GalaxyA325G said:
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks heaps for the very in-depth response. Really opens up on a lot of things I wasnt aware of, and I realized that unlike desktop, when it comes to mobile privacy I'm still a bit behind.
Are there any guides where I can do some reading on the concepts and techniques you've described? Especially regarding contacts.db sqlite database, GPS spoofing and privacy-aware options for accessing WhatsApp.
Also, what are your thoughts on MIcroG?
Totesnochill said:
Thanks heaps for the very in-depth response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I try to put effort into the response so that others can benefit (but nobody ever presses the like button so maybe it's not worth the effort).
For example, when I mentioned I spoof my GPS, I looked up the app I used and linked to it so that you wouldn't have to test a score of apps like I did to find the best one.
Totesnochill said:
Really opens up on a lot of things I wasn't aware of, and I realized that unlike desktop, when it comes to mobile privacy I'm still a bit behind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was just off the top of my head where there has to be at least a hundred different privacy things I do on Android to distance me from Google that most people don't bother to do.
I admit, sometimes it feels like we're putting a dozen locks on the front door, but in the end, we LEARN a lot about Android in the process.
A lot of the protection is to protect ourselves from others who don't know how to configure their phone, so they are uploading our private information (like our contacts and home locations) to Google databases.
For example, the typical Android phone when it drives by your front door uploads to google your exact location, your signal strength, your unique BSSID and your SSID... where you'll note in my response above I had to do a half dozen things on my phone and router to prevent that from happening (i.e., just adding "_nomap" doesn't work but most people don't realize that because they don't think about it).
Totesnochill said:
Are there any guides where I can do some reading on the concepts and techniques you've described?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure there are plenty.
But I have been in MANY situations where there are none.
Take, for example, changing the GSFID... almost nowhere on the net is that described how to do it. Almost nobody does it, but it can be done if you know how.
I really should write a set of privacy tutorials so that everyone can do it but I have to find the time, and this web site doesn't like text tutorials I found out recently. So they make it a PITA in the end to help people. Sigh.
Totesnochill said:
Especially regarding contacts.db sqlite database, GPS spoofing and privacy-aware options for accessing WhatsApp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at the links I gave you in my response for contacts, gps spoofing and privacy-aware WhatsApp, you'll get a good start.
A quickie is to not have a contacts.sqlite database, which means you need your own contacts.csv or more likely contacts.vcf file, which you can maintain on the PC if you like (works with Excel for example).
Now that you don't have a contacts.db sqlite database, you need to find the contacts and dialer and mms/sms apps that can suck in their own contacts.vcf file, which I pointed you to in the Simple Mobile Tools suite.
For GPS spoofing, I didn't mention you need to turn "Mock Location" on in the Android Developer Options, but that's what most people already do so I assumed you knew that. Once you turn that on, you can just select the mock location app of your choice (where I suggested one above which isn't perfect but none of them are).
That particular app moves your location every few feet and it gets the altitude and it can easily be stopped and started, etc., but I'd like it if it didn't move just "west by 10 feet every minute" but instead if it would follow a pre-determined route that I could give it. So they need a lot more work to be as good as we'd like them to be.
For What'sApp privacy, look at the two apps I linked to in the prior post as they don't need the contacts.sqlite database to work.
Your WhatsApp should only have an icon in your folders for the people you contact and nothing else, IMHO. That's the best privacy you can get, although WhatsApp does decent hashing on the contacts file when it uploads it to their servers - but still - why give them your entire contacts when you only contact 10 people (or whatever) on WhatsApp. Right?
Totesnochill said:
Also, what are your thoughts on MIcroG?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny you mentioned microG since I installed it for the first time yesterday when I was setting up Vanced Youtube based on this thread.
I generally choose apps that don't use GSF but sometimes you have to use a GSF app (e.g., Zoom meetings), and then it's nice to use MicroG instead of Google Services Framework.
I only installed it yesterday so I really don't know how well it will work for me as I didn't even need to install it to install VancedYoutube. You just need it to log into YouTube but I never do that anyway.
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Especially if almost nobody reads these threads.
GalaxyA325G said:
I try to put effort into the response so that others can benefit (but nobody ever presses the like button so maybe it's not worth the effort).
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for doing God's work out there. Ethics like these are what creates the content that keeps the internet from becoming a dumpster fire otherwise. Tutorials and explanations that come from the fellow users are THE best and usually directly on-point.
When I was just starting setting up Linux environment, I wrote "how-to notes" on every successful step. At first it was more like the "sticky notes" to help me remember, but eventually (as the list grew) I started writing these tips in a way as if they were to be read by someone with little background in the subject. What used to be the "Linux notes" file became 10563 lines monstrosity now... So every time I need to answer someone's question I just copypaste from this file.
GalaxyA325G said:
That was just off the top of my head where there has to be at least a hundred different privacy things I do on Android to distance me from Google that most people don't bother to do.
I admit, sometimes it feels like we're putting a dozen locks on the front door, but in the end, we LEARN a lot about Android in the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. I've spent about 2 weeks tweaking my new phone (Nokia X6), trying out different roms/recoveries and app setups. Pissed off a bunch of people in the process - most wouldn't understand that I'm setting up a system to last another 7 years, just like my previous phone (Galaxy Gprime). Not to mention that with the amount of sensitive info on the phone, security and privacy are a legit concern, and worth learning about just how one learns to install and use the lock on the front doors.
Phones became disposable both in software and hardware, and so have the general attitude towards the devices.
My final setup became AOSP PixelPlusUI Rom (comes with about openGapps nano worth of Google stuff) with most other stock apps (contacts , dialer, keyboards, msg etc) removed via ADB and replaced with F-Droid alternatives.
I've also used Rethink DNS with whitelist set up/AppInspector to put Google in the Goolag - no internet access for anything google-related at all times. So far my phone has 253 apps blocked (including almost all of the system apps). Surprisingly, all of the necessary apps off google play store (Whatsapp, FB messenger) still function well. Whenever I need a particular Gservice (like a translator), I just enable access for that (and only that) until I dont need it anymore.
GalaxyA325G said:
If you look at the links I gave you in my response for contacts, gps spoofing and privacy-aware WhatsApp, you'll get a good start.
A quickie is to not have a contacts.sqlite database, which means you need your own contacts.csv or more likely contacts.vcf file, which you can maintain on the PC if you like (works with Excel for example).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'm not sure why the links didnt show up at first. I'll give this a look. I've been using "simple mobile tools" for quite a while, and I must say I like how they are completely autonomous and transparent about what prems they need and why.
GalaxyA325G said:
For GPS spoofing, I didn't mention you need to turn "Mock Location" on in the Android Developer Options, but that's what most people already do so I assumed you knew that.
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Click to collapse
I definitely saw the option in the dev settings, but didnt experiment with it. Well, now I know, thanks!
Funny you mentioned microG since I installed it for the first time yesterday when I was setting up Vanced Youtube based on this thread.
I generally choose apps that don't use GSF but sometimes you have to use a GSF app (e.g., Zoom meetings), and then it's nice to use MicroG instead of Google Services Framework.
I only installed it yesterday so I really don't know how well it will work for me as I didn't even need to install it to install VancedYoutube. You just need it to log into YouTube but I never do that anyway.
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will give microG a try (in a form of LineageOS for MicroG). In fact I did install this rom before but I was a bit confused about what it did and assumed that it is a regular LinOS repack with Gplay store and apps built-in. Time to test again.
Especially if almost nobody reads these threads.
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Click to collapse
Threads like these is how I passed my uni exams. Not even exaggerating XD. Thanks again for a very detailed insightful read!
Hello my friends, very happy to meet good hearted people who think alike about Gugle.
as my name suggests I'm noob still and didn't understand much of discussion but very happy to meet you friends. My love & warm regards to all here. Here is what I did uptill now before I saw this thread :
1> Load GSI/ROM.
2> Load TWRP
3> Load Magisk
4> Load microG
5> Install Service Disabler
5.1> Disable bunch of internal services like telemetry, analytics, location (FusedLocation not possible to disable) for every app (3-rd party & system app), contacts sync etc.
6> Install SD-Maid Pro
6.1> Freeze apps like Gugle Calendar Sync Adapter & Gugle Contacts Sync Adapter
7> Install CIAFirewall Fake VPN & configure it.
8> I use Opera browser for Banking, Youtube, Cab booking, Surfing, Gmail, Food Order etc.
9> Install Aurora Store for general app management & installation
10> For contacts I save all contacts in notepad app, and let all calls purposely bounce then I call back aftter checking whose call it was & state false apologies.
#FYI :- Gugle, Mycrowsowft , eFbee are not really to be blamed, rhey are having to comply with FBI, Phentagon, Central Intelligence Agencies, Interpol, etc. or they have to shut bizness.
GalaxyA325G said:
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
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Click to collapse
Hi, I’m glad to have found this thread as I’m not happy with how my normal Android phone is spied upon by google. But I’m not technically knowledgeable and I don’t want to risk bricking my phone by trying amateur attempts at rooting, or installing Insular, etc…
So far I have not signed in, I allow only minimum permissions, use Netguard, Aurora and FDroid, and have disabled bloatware. I also force-stop apps as much as possible when not in use, and enable Location and Bluetooth only when needed.
I know this is just an amateur, token attempt to reduce spying - so I may have to eventually buy a degoogled phone.
I’ve also done some of the privacy suggestions in the attachments you posted.
Could you help me with a couple of newbie questions…
1): I might have minimised some personal data harvested by most of the apps I use, but I guess my privacy precautions will have no significant effect on the amount of telemetry collected by google?
2): If my precautions really have no significant effect, I’m wondering if would it make any real difference if I was signed in as I don’t use any of the google backup services anyway?
Thanks.
Hi all,
I have a question that how to install more 1 application Grab on 1 phone. Because this app will be block if you trying to install more than 1 on 1 phone. I assume it got IMEI and MAC address of device and save it. I tried to use the application to clone app but not effect.
Do you have any exp or solution for fixing it? Please share with me. Thank you so much.
What model of device are you doing this on?
duydinh said:
Hi all,
I have a question that how to install more 1 application Grab on 1 phone. Because this app will be block if you trying to install more than 1 on 1 phone. I assume it got IMEI and MAC address of device and save it. I tried to use the application to clone app but not effect.
Do you have any exp or solution for fixing it? Please share with me. Thank you so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With regards to a single-user Android:
Some Android devices offer native support for app cloning. It lets you run multiple copies of the same app without having to install any third-party tool. This feature is available on Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and OnePlus phones, among others.
Anyways, there are tons of cloning apps on Google Play. Not all of them are reliable or safe, though. So let's look at some of the best cloning apps out there and how to use them to install the same app twice on Android:
Parallel Space
is a pioneer in the app cloning niche and is based on multiDroid, the first and fastest Android virtualization system. You can use it to create two versions of an app with separate data files, so both versions run independently.
It provides excellent privacy features to protect your data, and you can keep the cloned apps in a secret space with a security lock using the incognito installation.
Dual space
is another solid cloning app with low CPU consumption and great social account support. It can clone almost all social apps, including WhatsApp, and allows you to use both the standard and cloned apps simultaneously without data interference.
Dual Space also manages notifications from cloned apps effectively, so they won't interfere with the regular apps. Its Private Space feature lets you use multiple social accounts in complete privacy and with zero traces. And with its quick cloning feature, you can quickly duplicate all apps.
With regards to a multi-user Android:
Simply install the app in question per configured user.
ze7zez said:
What model of device are you doing this on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using s20+. Not root because the application checking root status of device.
jwoegerbauer said:
With regards to a single-user Android:
Some Android devices offer native support for app cloning. It lets you run multiple copies of the same app without having to install any third-party tool. This feature is available on Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and OnePlus phones, among others.
Anyways, there are tons of cloning apps on Google Play. Not all of them are reliable or safe, though. So let's look at some of the best cloning apps out there and how to use them to install the same app twice on Android:
Parallel Space
is a pioneer in the app cloning niche and is based on multiDroid, the first and fastest Android virtualization system. You can use it to create two versions of an app with separate data files, so both versions run independently.
It provides excellent privacy features to protect your data, and you can keep the cloned apps in a secret space with a security lock using the incognito installation.
Dual space
is another solid cloning app with low CPU consumption and great social account support. It can clone almost all social apps, including WhatsApp, and allows you to use both the standard and cloned apps simultaneously without data interference.
Dual Space also manages notifications from cloned apps effectively, so they won't interfere with the regular apps. Its Private Space feature lets you use multiple social accounts in complete privacy and with zero traces. And with its quick cloning feature, you can quickly duplicate all apps.
With regards to a multi-user Android:
Simply install the app in question per configured user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi bro.
I used but it block. The application using for clone app can not be use. I think we need to change imei but if we change, we need to root device. But if root. We can not open Grab or shopee
duydinh said:
Im using s20+. Not root because the application checking root status of device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is not necessary. Activate Secure Folder, and in it add the previously installed "Grab" application.
ze7zez said:
Root is not necessary. Activate Secure Folder, and in it add the previously installed "Grab" application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the Secure Folder but it still add 1 app. I need to clone more than 1. also SF need to fingerprint/PIN each opening it.
duydinh said:
I use the Secure Folder but it still add 1 app. I need to clone more than 1. also SF need to fingerprint/PIN each opening it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Provide an author link to the application.
ze7zez said:
Root is not necessary. Activate Secure Folder, and in it add the previously installed "Grab" application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you know how to clone SF app?
duydinh said:
do you know how to clone SF app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In SF, tap "Add apps" and select an app.
ze7zez said:
In SF, tap "Add apps" and select an app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i mean how to clone SF app, i want to install more than 1 SF on my device but dont know how to do it
duydinh said:
i mean how to clone SF app, i want to install more than 1 SF on my device but dont know how to do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What makes you think this is possible?