Is it possible to delete another app's data ? - General Questions and Answers

Hello all,
for my project I want to know if its possible to delete another apps data on Android?
Project context:
In supermarkets staff workers will use shared android devices. After one work shift the phone gets passed to the next shift and should erase all personal data from the previous user.
Users will get access to apps kinda like Single Sign On over a password manager, providing the credentials for the needed apps.
So again my question is: is it possible to somehow force delete the used app's data on work shift change?
I am talking like a automatic process instead of going into the settings and clearing data manually one by one.
Thank you in advance.

I guess to clean the data automatically for now I have never found that, and even until now I only clean the data manually.

Nextechie said:
Hello all,
for my project I want to know if its possible to delete another apps data on Android?
Project context:
In supermarkets staff workers will use shared android devices. After one work shift the phone gets passed to the next shift and should erase all personal data from the previous user.
Users will get access to apps kinda like Single Sign On over a password manager, providing the credentials for the needed apps.
So again my question is: is it possible to somehow force delete the used app's data on work shift change?
I am talking like a automatic process instead of going into the settings and clearing data manually one by one.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no. Data from user apps that have been installed should be fairly easy to delete in bulk. Data from system apps won't be as easy, but it can be done.
Will the device be stock? Or will it be rooted? Will it have stock recovery or will it have TWRP?
Will you be attempting to setup something like multiple user accounts with one of the accounts being the Admin/device manager?
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Yes and no. Data from user apps that have been installed should be fairly easy to delete in bulk. Data from system apps won't be as easy, but it can be done.
Will the device be stock? Or will it be rooted? Will it have stock recovery or will it have TWRP?
Will you be attempting to setup something like multiple user accounts with one of the accounts being the Admin/device manager?
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have detailed information yet but I assume the device is stock, not rooted and has a stock recovery.
The desired outcome is that a user can log in and has access to the credentials via a password manager which pulls the credentials from a backend service.
There will be multiple users accessing the phone but only one at a time.
What exactly do you mean by admin or device manager?

BryanHafidz said:
I guess to clean the data automatically for now I have never found that, and even until now I only clean the data manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am aware that it is possibly to clear the data manually but I am trying to implement a mechanism to clear the data automatically on log out event.

Nextechie said:
I don't have detailed information yet but I assume the device is stock, not rooted and has a stock recovery.
The desired outcome is that a user can log in and has access to the credentials via a password manager which pulls the credentials from a backend service.
There will be multiple users accessing the phone but only one at a time.
What exactly do you mean by admin or device manager?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean, like a PC, where the "owner" is the administrator of the device and their account to login to the PC is an administrator account profile but any other users that create a profile on that device will be limited to a user account profile. These user accounts can use the device but they can't affect or change anything at the system level, they can only affect data from their own user profile. This basically puts them in a box within the device when they are using the device and they can't mess with anything that is outside the box they are in.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
I mean, like a PC, where the "owner" is the administrator of the device and their account to login to the PC is an administrator account profile but any other users that create a profile on that device will be limited to a user account profile. These user accounts can use the device but they can't affect or change anything at the system level, they can only affect data from their own user profile. This basically puts them in a box within the device when they are using the device and they can't mess with anything that is outside the box they are in.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently it is only planned to do the different access types via the provided credentials in the password manager.
The project is currently in a planning phase and will be implemented later next this year.
Is it possible to have this kind of adminstrator account on an android phone? I am not very familiar with android's work profiles but if they provide the needed functionality they would be taken into consideration.

Nextechie said:
Currently it is only planned to do the different access types via the provided credentials in the password manager.
The project is currently in a planning phase and will be implemented later next this year.
Is it possible to have this kind of adminstrator account on an android phone? I am not very familiar with android's work profiles but if they provide the needed functionality they would be taken into consideration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure, it may be possible.
The only reason I asked was more of a question of whether it was somewhat what you were looking for than it was a suggestion of something that is possible.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
I'm not sure, it may be possible.
The only reason I asked was more of a question of whether it was somewhat what you were looking for than it was a suggestion of something that is possible.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We may look into it as a possible addition in a later phase of the project.
The main priority right now is a single sign on functionality that enables users to get access to many apps with one pair of credentials.

Related

Question about android security

So i am just wondering, there are so much different apps for android on the market, and most of them has a lot of access to phone's functions. Now for example i am always logged in to Gmail, and theoretically can a random app scan and copy my gmail's data and send it trough internet? Really curious..
Kblavkalash said:
Now for example i am always logged in to Gmail, and theoretically can a random app scan and copy my gmail's data and send it trough internet? Really curious..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This question is not really an issue of Android security this is a question about general security. Can an app look at your gmail app directly and copy data and send it out...not exactly no, an app can't forcibly connect itself to another app to scan data.
However...
That question is actually not relevant because such a task is unnecessary for malicious apps. Lets say you install a malicious app that wants to copy your gmail data. What it will do is not watch the app itself but it will watch the network packets being sent to and from the app, logging and tracking those.
This is not the only way to get the data though because any data saved on your sdcard is accessible from an app if you give it permission to do so.
The MOST important thing to look at when installing an app is the permissions the app is requesting when it installs. This can be confusing as well because some apps will request full internet access because they need it but this can also be used by a malicious app to steal your data.
The important thing to do is research. The more you learn about the app the better off you are.
-------
Just to clarify, this applies to all apps of any kind on any platform including but not limited to Android, iPhones, Blackberry, Windows Phone, WebOS, Windows PC, Mac OSX, Linux or etc. - ALWAYS learn as much as you can and are comfortable with before installing anything...if you are not comfortable with a particular app or learning more about it then don't install it. That is not to say it may be malicous, it is just to say it could be a bad idea for other reasons. (for example, if it is a developer tool or a configuration tool that you don't understand or haven't researched enough to understand...then you could potentially damage your device with something that is a legitimate tool)
Kblavkalash said:
So i am just wondering, there are so much different apps for android on the market, and most of them has a lot of access to phone's functions. Now for example i am always logged in to Gmail, and theoretically can a random app scan and copy my gmail's data and send it trough internet? Really curious..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
edit
MichaelTunnell said:
This question is not really an issue of Android security this is a question about general security. Can an app look at your gmail app directly and copy data and send it out...not exactly no, an app can't forcibly connect itself to another app to scan data.
However...
That question is actually not relevant because such a task is unnecessary for malicious apps. Lets say you install a malicious app that wants to copy your gmail data. What it will do is not watch the app itself but it will watch the network packets being sent to and from the app, logging and tracking those.
This is not the only way to get the data though because any data saved on your sdcard is accessible from an app if you give it permission to do so.
The MOST important thing to look at when installing an app is the permissions the app is requesting when it installs. This can be confusing as well because some apps will request full internet access because they need it but this can also be used by a malicious app to steal your data.
The important thing to do is research. The more you learn about the app the better off you are.
-------
Just to clarify, this applies to all apps of any kind on any platform including but not limited to Android, iPhones, Blackberry, Windows Phone, WebOS, Windows PC, Mac OSX, Linux or etc. - ALWAYS learn as much as you can and are comfortable with before installing anything...if you are not comfortable with a particular app or learning more about it then don't install it. That is not to say it may be malicous, it is just to say it could be a bad idea for other reasons. (for example, if it is a developer tool or a configuration tool that you don't understand or haven't researched enough to understand...then you could potentially damage your device with something that is a legitimate tool)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good answer, you are right!, but you say do a research before installing, but it's not really possible unless you are a programmer and checking whole code The best rated apps still have many different permission requirement and i have no idea what they are doing.
For example app can request a new password change for example on paypal and steal packets which come to my gmail about new password.^^
Security Apps
Hi,
in my eyes the best way is to use programs like PDroid. You cann adjist the rights of every App regarding send SMS for example.
LBE Privacy Guard may be also an Option. (runs not on my Device - SGS+)
(i use Pdroid 2.0)
you should also read the comments in the store, and the needed rights from the app before install. The best Apps to trust are open source apps.
Kblavkalash said:
Good answer, you are right!, but you say do a research before installing, but it's not really possible unless you are a programmer and checking whole code The best rated apps still have many different permission requirement and i have no idea what they are doing.
For example app can request a new password change for example on paypal and steal packets which come to my gmail about new password.^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Research generally involves a Google search...
Editor's Choice in the market are safe bets, you know, the blue icon.
But then there are the millions of other apps, and frankly, I tend to toe the app name plus xda for instance, Google will show you xda threads about the app, if the posts are normal, you can be sure it's not malicious.
Stuff like that...
Also, fake market comments are really easy to spot and are a dead giveaway
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium

How do I delete Google's Cloud Backups?

So recently I factory reset my Nexus 5 because it was having performance issues,and during my time before resetting it, in the settings, my Nexus 5 data was backed up, as shown in the image below. Now, when I reset my N5 I forgot to uncheck back up my data, so there is an image of my N5 in googles cloud. And when I set up my phone, it asked if I wanted to restore from back up or scratch, and I chose scratch. But the thing is, I don't want the backup saved in the cloud.
So my question is this: How do I delete previous cloud backups?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Log on to the gmail address on a PC and delete the back up data from there.
Can you be more specific? Where can I find the Cloud backups?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
First, untick those two options from your screenshot. Then you have to log out from your google account on phone and log in again.
deleting nexus backups
i've been trying to delete my nexus backups from the cloud. can't figure out how to. all these tutorials just keep sending you off into a different direction. the replies you get on the forums are usually poor quality. or google figures out a way to store away your information indefinitely.
I too want to know "where" specifically on the Google website I can find the phone backup and delete it.
Does anyone know? Is it even possible?
r7un said:
i've been trying to delete my nexus backups from the cloud. can't figure out how to. all these tutorials just keep sending you off into a different direction. the replies you get on the forums are usually poor quality. or google figures out a way to store away your information indefinitely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anderson2 said:
I too want to know "where" specifically on the Google website I can find the phone backup and delete it.
Does anyone know? Is it even possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://developer.android.com/tools/help/bmgr.html
Warning!
When backup is disabled, the current backup transport will explicitly wipe the entire active data set from its backend storage. This is so that when a user says they do not want their data backed up, the Backup Manager respects that wish. No further data will be saved from the device, and no restore operations will be possible, unless the Backup Manager is re-enabled (either through Settings or through the above bmgr command).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems that disabling backup deletes all backed up files on the server.
disabling backups does not delete the older backups
when we disable the backup, one may want to assume that no information is being stored on google servers. but what happens really is, no new back up is created, but the older backups remain.
so if you reset your device again, you'll see the older backups reflecting on google's servers. only nothing new has been stored.
i have backups that are ranging from 3-4 months old to last year. i don't want google to store my information, but i cannot figure out a way to remove these.
p.s. thanks for approving my first post. have been a smartphone user since xda days. hopefully looking to learn and contribute here.
r7un said:
when we disable the backup, one may want to assume that no information is being stored on google servers. but what happens really is, no new back up is created, but the older backups remain.
so if you reset your device again, you'll see the older backups reflecting on google's servers. only nothing new has been stored.
i have backups that are ranging from 3-4 months old to last year. i don't want google to store my information, but i cannot figure out a way to remove these.
p.s. thanks for approving my first post. have been a smartphone user since xda days. hopefully looking to learn and contribute here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't find anything else I would also be interested to have a solution.
USE Google Dashboard
Click on Android
Scroll to: Delete backup data
please give detailed instructions
Celestial Fury said:
USE Google Dashboard
Click on Android
Scroll to: Delete backup data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear Celestial Fury
The screenshot you've provided seems very dated. If I use Google Dashboard from the link you have provided, it lists out 2 android devices, while I have only one. Then, if I click on Manage Android Devices, I am unable to view the location of my Nexus, like one can do on the Find my iPhone Application, and there are options to erase the device and lock it. But there is no option to manage the backups and delete them.
Sorry to say, but a reply like yours has earlier as well sent me on a wild goose chase. Google has changed the way we approach the dashboard, I believe.
Dear @r7un,
You don't see this part in your Google Dashboard - all on the same page after signing in and clicking on Android?
If by dated screenshot you mean logged in to Google Dashboard and taken JUST BEFORE I posted?
Detailed instructions then:
Sign in to Google Dashboard
Click on Android NOT Manage Active Devices (It'll show you all the devices you have. You may have more than one listing if you're using XPrivacy to randomize your IMEI. A different IMEI counts as a different device. This thread is about deleting android backup. If you can't see location then perhaps your phone is blocking location permissions or your browser is or Google location is not working or slow.)
Scroll to the last device listed and you'll see Delete backup data.
By clicking the button you will permanently delete backup data of the account '[email protected]'. Please note that new backup data will be created if backup is enabled on any of your Android devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Celestial Fury Do you have 'backup my data' enabled on your device?
Because it seems that we do not have the same dashboard. I have neither 'NOT Manage Active Devices' nor 'Delete backup data'. Clicking of 'Manage active devices' redirects me to the android device manager.
@Primokorn, yes I have 'backup my data' enabled on my device and I'm using it. And no, I'm not going to try clicking delete backup data to see if it actually works (in case someone decides to ask me that) .
Step 2 is click on the WORD "Android" and NOT manage active device.
Do note, this is the first time I'm using Google Dashboard after trying to find a solution for this thread so it's not that hard for any first time user to Google Dashboard.
Celestial Fury said:
@Primokorn, yes I have 'backup my data' enabled on my device and I'm using it. And no, I'm not going to try clicking delete backup data to see if it actually works (in case someone decides to ask me that) .
Step 2 is click on the WORD "Android" and NOT manage active device.
Do note, this is the first time I'm using Google Dashboard after trying to find a solution for this thread so it's not that hard for any first time user to Google Dashboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see your picture.
Anyway I do understand your steps to reproduce but I can't
Finally, those cloud backups are correctly deleted if we disable the backup option. I'll try during my next clean flash.
@Primokorn, you're nearly there. I see you've clicked on "Android". So, scroll DOWN to the last of your devices listed and post a screenshot of what you see there.
there is no link that says delete backups
i am attaching a screenshot. i hope you're able to see that. but i am afraid there is no link that says remove or delete backups when i click on the android button. really apologetic. i also tried to enable the backup on my phone and run through the steps you've detailed, but its really not working.
it really seems that google is not interested in allowing people to delete their backups.
@r7un, scroll down and post what you see.
there is no button, posting again
Celestial Fury said:
@r7un, scroll down and post what you see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear Celestial Fury, please don't get angry. Like I said earlier, there is no button that says "Delete backup". All it gives are the details of the devices. That's it. Nothing is clickable out there. I am posting another screenshot to try and communicate what I am saying. Maybe there is a policy difference region to region. I feel if you're having the link and I am not, it's discriminating.
Celestial Fury said:
@Primokorn, you're nearly there. I see you've clicked on "Android". So, scroll DOWN to the last of your devices listed and post a screenshot of what you see there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing as already explained

Is it possible that an app can identify someone by using internet permission.

I enjoyed the Xprivacy application, an amazing app. But as I noticed one app called com.kamagames.pokerist v6.9.0, has tendency to identify me. Actually, I want to make new account on it but it says many accounts are registered with the device. Hence Xprivacy comes in role, rather buying a new phone or asking pokerist to delete my old accounts. I used Xprivacy for quick action. But I allowed only internet and shell permissions but it can identify me. How is it possible. I want to tell you that I used this app after doing restore factory setting, I mean to say I wiped my UDID but it can identify me.
I want to know is it possible to identify my old accounts by this pokerist app by using internet permission. I know that it doesn't ask for any other permission which is not listed in xprivacy.
Dhananjayamishra said:
I enjoyed the Xprivacy application, an amazing app. But as I noticed one app called com.kamagames.pokerist v6.9.0, has tendency to identify me. Actually, I want to make new account on it but it says many accounts are registered with the device. Hence Xprivacy comes in role, rather buying a new phone or asking pokerist to delete my old accounts. I used Xprivacy for quick action. But I allowed only internet and shell permissions but it can identify me. How is it possible. I want to tell you that I used this app after doing restore factory setting, I mean to say I wiped my UDID but it can identify me.
I want to know is it possible to identify my old accounts by this pokerist app by using internet permission. I know that it doesn't ask for any other permission which is not listed in xprivacy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is possible.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas_fingerprinting
+ IP Logging
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
MaaarZ said:
Yes, it is possible.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas_fingerprinting
+ IP Logging
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information.

[APP] Recent wifi password Viewer & Backup (ROOT)

I made this app for my own needs a few years ago. Then I decided to publish this app so others can use 'cause it might be convenient in some situations
This app will forever be free with no ads. I hope people would tell me how to improve this.
* ROOT access is REQUIRED*
This app use Root permission to access the connected wifi list from your system to list them out for you in case you forgot a wifi password and/or you want to share with others.
It also allow you to save that list to you local storage/SDCard or sync it to cloud storage.
Cloud backup use private App Folder on *your own* Google Drive account to save data. Even you cannot browse it by yourself (you still can delete it). Currently, this app only support restoring from Cloud.
In summary:
- View connected wifi lists with password
- Save Wifi list to storage/SDCard
- Sync/Backup Wifi list to Cloud
- Restore wifi list from Cloud
- Copy wifi password to clipboard by long-press wifi item on the list.
Download link
Cheers!
[Reserved for Change logs]
Great job, dear. To load up on Google Drive, do you uses the Drive API?
You have a private message.
Could you help me show the password on my s7 edge? It shows a weird character instead of its true password. I really love the design and feature (i.e. ad free!). Thanks!
geraldalcos said:
Could you help me show the password on my s7 edge? It shows a weird character instead of its true password. I really love the design and feature (i.e. ad free!). Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iirc, Samsung encrypts them so you may be SOL
drewski_1 said:
iirc, Samsung encrypts them so you may be SOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha. What are those terms?
Is there a way to resolve this?
geraldalcos said:
Haha. What are those terms?
Is there a way to resolve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Iirc- If I Remember Correctly
Sol - Sh*t Out of Luck
Sent from my deb using XDA Labs
drewski_1 said:
iirc, Samsung encrypts them so you may be SOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it's encrypted. BTW, I don't have any Samsung device to find a solution
Please update to oreo
I'm trying to use it on 8.1 and what's strange is that it uploads to the cloud just fine from my old phone, and the new phone can see (in the app) the passwords on the cloud, but when I choose "sync", the new phone's local wifi list does not change. Is there some specific instructions I need to follow? I've given it root access and selected "sync" on my new phone from all three locations (all/cloud/local).

Full app-data transfer or backup

I know this is a tired topic, and it seems without legit root + TB that it really isn't doable...still, I'm very curious if there are strides made that maybe I'm not aware of. All of my searches, regardless of device, seem to be more or less the same; you can get a good chunk between apps like Helium, SmartSwitch, and ADB backups, but none of those will be all-inclusive or really even close to that.
For those seasoned in this, is this just the status-quo at this point? Devs, is it safe to assume that without root, one simply cannot backup app data verbatim?
I ask for the obvious reason: I don't necessarily recall every user ID and password, all settings, etc that I set up for a given app. Especially with the introduction of finerprint readers. I seldom have to type in passwords anymore, between saved credentials in Chrome and established logins on individual apps.
I'm really hoping it isn't a far stretch to find a way to transfer, if not backup this data completely.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.backup
Works on majority of apps, make sure its set to app data only, otherwise it won't backup. If it nags about some desktop password remove pin/pattern or any other screen locks.
If you want to backup sms/mms/call logs use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackup
peachpuff said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.backup
Works on majority of apps, make sure its set to app data only, otherwise it won't backup. If it nags about some desktop password remove pin/pattern or any other screen locks.
If you want to backup sms/mms/call logs use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used Helium in the past, and it wasn't all-inclusive. If I do app-data only, will it backup app data that includes login info and whatever settings I've configured per app?
You really don't have much choice, this is the only app that can backup data, you can try smart switch but I didn't have much luck with it. Just try it and hope for the best.
disturbd1 said:
I know this is a tired topic, and it seems without legit root + TB that it really isn't doable...still, I'm very curious if there are strides made that maybe I'm not aware of. All of my searches, regardless of device, seem to be more or less the same; you can get a good chunk between apps like Helium, SmartSwitch, and ADB backups, but none of those will be all-inclusive or really even close to that.
For those seasoned in this, is this just the status-quo at this point? Devs, is it safe to assume that without root, one simply cannot backup app data verbatim?
I ask for the obvious reason: I don't necessarily recall every user ID and password, all settings, etc that I set up for a given app. Especially with the introduction of finerprint readers. I seldom have to type in passwords anymore, between saved credentials in Chrome and established logins on individual apps.
I'm really hoping it isn't a far stretch to find a way to transfer, if not backup this data completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you coming from a non samsung phone? When I had to return my 1st Note 7 I backed it up to the samsung cloud and when I received the 2nd Note 7 I restored from the cloud and it did the screens, apps, data and everything. I was surprised and also happy with it.
I currently have the S7 Edge. Samsung cloud is enabled on it. I sincerely can't be the only one who is looking for this ability without root though.
Im also searching, but for per app as helium doesnt work for me
ggrant3876 said:
Are you coming from a non samsung phone? When I had to return my 1st Note 7 I backed it up to the samsung cloud and when I received the 2nd Note 7 I restored from the cloud and it did the screens, apps, data and everything. I was surprised and also happy with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir when you did this did you have to login each app again or it was automatically logged in with your details please
iamviveksri said:
Sir when you did this did you have to login each app again or it was automatically logged in with your details please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't remember as it's been well over a year. If you have Samsung Pass on your phone and you back it up I would think it would log you in to your individual apps.

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