Hey, I am currently searching for an app that can completely block the access to the internet (and maybe other permissions) for specific apps.
For a while now I have been using the original XPrivacy to block apps from accessing the internet (+other permissions) for many apps. I have been on Android 5 for a while now but now I am considering to switch to another ROM that is on Android 10 or higher.
I have already looked at XPrivacyLua, but it won't work for me, because it's not possible to restrict access to as many and detailed permissions as in the original XPrivacy, e.g: not possible to restrict internet access...
Apps the use the VPN connection to block the access won't work for me, because I use a VPN sometimes.
The only alternative and solution I have currently found is to use Permission Manager X and AFWall+
But sometimes Permission Manager X just resets the rules and won't apply them and with AFWall+ you need to select every connection type everytime, which is tedious
TLDR: Searching for apps like the original XPrivacy but for Android 10 or higher
Related
I have been using CM11s own Privacy Guard for quite some time to block access to personal data, but I'm growing increasingly unhappy with it, as it doesn't contain anything to block internet or prevent autostarts specifically for an app. It also doesn't look like this is being worked on. So, I tried XPrivacy, but this doesn't block internet reliably (as the author himself told me) and preventing autostarts is beyond the scope of it. So, still unhappy.
I know about solutions like AFWall+ (for blocking internet access) and Rom Toolbox Pro for disabling autostart listeners, but that's not what I'm searching for. I'm searching for something that gives me a prompt, asking for permission, right when an app tries to access the internet or tries to autostart - the same way as Privacy Guard and XPrivacy do for the stuff they are made for. Additionally, preventing access to the unique ID (ie. giving false data) would be a plus, as I'd like to achieve complete privacy with as few different apps as possible.
Any ideas?
Oh well... this got moved to General discussion, although it is Android specific. Anyone got any recommendations?
Let me clear that I am NOT talking about the default process by which applications ask for extra permissions or about whether an application's manifest lists the permissions it uses.
I am running the official Android Pie firmware on my Pixel. The bootloader is unlocked. I am looking for one of these two things:
An alternative firmware image ("ROM") that features the ability to block network access for individual applications. I believe that there is an Xposed module that can do this,but Xposed is not yet ready for Android Pie.
Software that, after rooting my phone, can be installed and be used to block network access for specific applications.
Why not use a firewall app, such as AFWall+ or NetGuard?
Rooted, use Android Firewall Plus to block apps
I use Android Firewall Plus on my Pixel with LOS 15.1 and Magisk. Works very well. I block every app and process that doesn't have a legitimate use for internet. I use Lineage so I can use Privacy Guard to block detailed permission for the few apps I DO let talk to the internet. Seems to work great.
I'm using XPrivacyLua to manage and restrict applications on Android 7 and 8 but I was wondering if an app ops manager won't suffice on Android 10 and newer? I want full control over the permission an application requests not just the list Google considers dangerous.
I have found two potential candidates App Ops and Permission Manager X that looks like they should be able to do the job but how do they compare with one another and XPrivacyLua?
App Ops requires that you install either Shizuku or Island that will provide it with access to the system whereas Permission Manager X uses ADB over a TCP connection.
Can anyone provide some information in this regard?
A possible solution is to use both : a permission manager (using App Ops services) and a privacy manager (XPrivacyLua).
Sometimes, a permission manager can break an app so you should use a privacy manager to avoid it. But when it doesn't, use a permission manager.
But it remains a question. What is the best permission manager ?
App Ops is popular but it contained ads.
There is also Permission Manager X and AppOpsX, both on F-Droid and without any ads.
But i do not know which one is the best.
XPrivacyLua is the most capable perhaps. It requires XPosed framework, which was late for Android11 so i switched to AppOps. Also, EdXposed doesn't work for me, and LSPosed does require selecting target apps manually. Not sure if it's still the case now, but that was the second reason of switching.
AppOps needs Magisks Sui plugin so its "availability" is higher. It's paid like XPrivacyLua Pro. It hides device ids and phone numbers, and enforces basic permissions for careless users, which is suffiicient for me. The issues:
phone is very sluggish phone when it's "recovering configuration"
the backup skips system apps which is incredibly unhelpful
AppOpsX is too old and therefore inactive.
PermissionManagerX is what i'm going to test now, thanks for the info.
Author of Permission Manager X here. You may find this link helpful:
How does PMX compare to XPrivacyLua? Can they replace each other?
I ended up using Permission Manager X since I didn't want to root the device.
Hey, How to disable data / internet / wifi into app?
I want to disable ads in app.
In another device, I can disable access data / internet in every app.
How to in pixel 3a?
You need to root your phone, then
- install adaway to disable ads
- install afwall+ to control internet access per app
NetGuard - no-root firewall - Apps on Google Play
A simple way to block access to the internet per application
play.google.com
This app doesn't require root to block internet access on a per app basis. In the app description, there is also the source code in case you want to make sure there isn't any malicious code.
When we deny/ block certain permissions to apps, how does Android (or iOS) enforce this?
There are two ways of enforcing this setting:
1. System tells the app not to ask for the permission because the user has denied it.
2. App keeps trying to access the particular permission, and the system continuously blocks it.
For example, if we deny location permission to an app, does the app no longer request location access, or does it keep trying to access location and system keeps blocking it?
If method 1 is how it works (and I doubt it), it would be great for performance and battery life.
If method 2 is how it works (and I think this is how it works), then the app would likely continue to drain battery even more than what it would if the permission was granted.
Can someone explain how this works?
Thanks.
TheMystic said:
When we deny/ block certain permissions to apps, how does Android (or iOS) enforce this?
There are two ways of enforcing this setting:
1. System tells the app not to ask for the permission because the user has denied it.
2. App keeps trying to access the particular permission, and the system continuously blocks it.
For example, if we deny location permission to an app, does the app no longer request location access, or does it keep trying to access location and system keeps blocking it?
If method 1 is how it works (and I doubt it), it would be great for performance and battery life.
If method 2 is how it works (and I think this is how it works), then the app would likely continue to drain battery even more than what it would if the permission was granted.
Can someone explain how this works?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first one if it's update to support the current SDK. App comunicate a request system-level (permission) and ask you to choose.
Granting / revoking permissions is done at app's level and controlled / noted by Android OS:
Permissions on Android | Android Developers
developer.android.com
Keep in mind that once an app has permission to use something, it can do so whenever it wants. While an app might have a legitimate reason for accessing your location, it could also check your location in the background every so often and send that data to advertisers - what will drain battery, of course.