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Multiple Users within Honeycomb[Discussion][Solution]

This thread is dedicated to discussing the possibilities and implementation of multiple user profiles within Honeycomb.
A phone is a very "personal" device. There are very few people in your life, if any, with whom you'd simply leave your unlocked phone with for any extended amount of time. Your Google account is very closely tied to you. Gmail, Talk, browsing history, text messages, call history, all easily accessible through your phone.
What about your tablet? Do you want any one who picks up your tablet to allow access to all of this private information? Probably not.
Obviously, I have a Google account which I could tie to both my Xoom and my G2. If I was the only person using each device, this would be acceptable. But I am not. My significant other also has an Android phone, and of course, her own Google account. So whose account did I register my Xoom with? Neither. I created a neutral Google account to be used with the Xoom.
This means I do not have access to my purchased apps, or integrated access to the Gmail app, my browser bookmarks, and many other features considered to be benefits of Android.
Solution? How about access to multiple user profiles from the lock screen? Imagine being able to choose from individual profiles, Google accounts, before entering the OS. Using a pin, pattern or password, you could then enter you own specific profile, with full access to your apps, accounts and settings, even your own customized home screen. How about creating a "guest" account for visitors? An account with no Google profile, or even a dummy account for protected access to the browser, apps and other features, without sacrificing your privacy.
I'm aware of a few tools, like password protecting specific apps and such, but I'd like to start a discussion sharing your experiences in this regard and possible solutions.
I know I am not the only one in this situation. A phone is a very personal device. The tablet shouldn't have to be.
EDIT: POSSIBLE SOLUTION
After playing around with the idea, I think I may have found a streamlined solution that's easy and fast. First: Have a neutral account.
Using Bettercut, I created two shortcuts on the home screen. ADW allows access to system shortcuts as well, and I am sure there are a few others.
One shortcut I created, called Sign-In, takes you directly to the Add Account page, using the system setting shortcut. From here, simply click Google, then sign in. It says it will take up to 5 minutes to sync, but I have found it to take more like 5 seconds. Two clicks and signing in is all it takes. Open Gmail, you will find your newly added account, clicking in the upper right hand corner allows you to change accounts within the App. In the market, you can choose which account to use. Choosing my personal account allows me access to my previously purchased apps.
But how about when my session is done?
The second shortcut, called Sign-Out, takes you directly to the Accounts and Sync page within settings. Click on the account you wish to sign out of, then remove account. Two clicks. No more access to gmail, talk or any other personal info. And guess what? My previously purchased and installed apps still work!
This is by no means perfect, but I'll be honest, it's a lot easier than I thought it would be when I posed this question to the community.
Try it out, see how it works for you. Post questions in the thread.

FuzeAction said:
Solution? How about access to multiple user profiles from the lock screen? Imagine being able to choose from individual profiles, Google accounts, before entering the OS. Using a pin, pattern or password, you could then enter you own specific profile, with full access to your apps, accounts and settings, even your own customized home screen. How about creating a "guest" account for visitors? An account with no Google profile, or even a dummy account for protected access to the browser, apps and other features, without sacrificing your privacy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This... would be awesome. And put us one step closer to handheld computing over desktop computing. Well, at least when you're on the go you'll want to do more tablet computing than laptop computing.

I agree that tabs should be more "social" devices. My SWAG is that as these mobile OS'es mature, that will be true. As of now, both Android & iOS are still in the toddler stage. Many more important features are missing, eg networking and peripheral connectivity. Most Android tabs don't even have USB host mode.
I disagree that this is a discussion. It's more of a shoulda-coulda. I think you're preaching to the choir, as I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with you. But the only one can do anything about it is Google. I think the solution is, as with most things, time.

when koush releases his recovery you could have multiple nandroids 1 for you 1 for your SO and then just backup and restore it would probably be less than 5 min between saving and swapping on my nexus S i imagine it should be about the same for the xoom its not ideal but its better than nothing

godsfilth said:
when koush releases his recovery you could have multiple nandroids 1 for you 1 for your SO and then just backup and restore it would probably be less than 5 min between saving and swapping on my nexus S i imagine it should be about the same for the xoom its not ideal but its better than nothing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is obviously less than ideal, but it is indeed a solution. If the process could be streamlined with a single button push, I could see potential, but waiting any longer than the standard boot time would be cumbersome.
I have tried adding/removing Google accounts in the settings. Does anyone have experience with this in regards to App accessibility? If I sign in to my personal google account, download a previously purchased app from the market, the remove my google account, will I still have access to the app?

SOLUTION
After playing around with the idea, I think I may have found a streamlined solution that's easy and fast. First: Have a neutral account.
Using Bettercut, I created two shortcuts on the home screen. ADW allows access to system shortcuts as well, and I am sure there are a few others.
One shortcut I created, called Sign-In, takes you directly to the Add Account page, using the system setting shortcut. From here, simply click Google, then sign in. It says it will take up to 5 minutes to sync, but I have found it to take more like 5 seconds. Two clicks and signing in is all it takes. Open Gmail, you will find your newly added account, clicking in the upper right hand corner allows you to change accounts within the App. In the market, you can choose which account to use. Choosing my personal account allows me access to my previously purchased apps.
But how about when my session is done?
The second shortcut, called Sign-Out, takes you directly to the Accounts and Sync page within settings. Click on the account you wish to sign out of, then remove account. Two clicks. No more access to gmail, talk or any other personal info. And guess what? My previously purchased and installed apps still work!
This is by no means perfect, but I'll be honest, it's a lot easier than I thought it would be when I posed this question to the community.
Try it out, see how it works for you. Post questions in the thread.

Just a note the Ipad version of Facebook allows multiple accounts. When you start it it lets you pick which account you want to use. Pretty sure your account can be password protected.
not that I like Ipad I am just saying I wish android had that so my wife could use the tablet to do her facebook. (Yes I realize the full facebook web page works great from Xoom browser and she can log in using that)
Also when I let me 4 year old have the tablet to play games I Wish I could at least password protect the market to keep him from buying games. He could go crazy one day and buy like $100 worth of games real quick.
I can understand why google hasn't implemented it yet. It complicates everything a lot having multiple users.
I know their are workaround android apps that let you password protect your launcher so some apps require a password to launch.
Dan

despich said:
Just a note the Ipad version of Facebook allows multiple accounts. When you start it it lets you pick which account you want to use. Pretty sure your account can be password protected.
not that I like Ipad I am just saying I wish android had that so my wife could use the tablet to do her facebook. (Yes I realize the full facebook web page works great from Xoom browser and she can log in using that)
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh, sounds to me like that is EXACTLY what you were saying. I myself cannot wait till a forum mod finds this and boots your sorry ass off for it too! My only hope is that a few people read this and flame your but from here to a crappy mac forum first!
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Morkai Almandragon said:
Uh, sounds to me like that is EXACTLY what you were saying. I myself cannot wait till a forum mod finds this and boots your sorry ass off for it too! My only hope is that a few people read this and flame your but from here to a crappy mac forum first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem???

Ok, lets not turn the xoom forum into /b/ plox

generic.imitation said:
Ok, lets not turn the xoom forum into /b/ plox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is /b/?
rules 1 & 2

Here's the problem I see with this: Apps.
Your apps are tied to the google account you use to sync. If you purchase an app on account A, account B cannot use that app. It would mean purchasing multiple applications for the same device to allow users to switch back and forth.
This isn't a desktop, android wasn't meant for multiple users.
It would be more advantageous to limit logins in the respective application, like Facebook. Sign into the facebook app, and sign out of the facebook app when your done. When the next person opens the app, it asks for a login.
Having multiple google accounts to sync to just for a few social network apps or email doesn't seem worthwhile to me. I don't want to have to login and out every time I want to check my email or play a game.

Sirchuk said:
Here's the problem I see with this: Apps.
Your apps are tied to the google account you use to sync. If you purchase an app on account A, account B cannot use that app. It would mean purchasing multiple applications for the same device to allow users to switch back and forth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have actually found that even after I have removed my personal google account, the one with the purchased apps, I still have access to those purchased applications with the neutral account, even after a reboot.
Adding/Removing the Google accounts in the settings turns out to be a pretty painless and reliable solution, I'll report back if I encounter further issues.

FuzeAction said:
I have actually found that even after I have removed my personal google account, the one with the purchased apps, I still have access to those purchased applications with the neutral account, even after a reboot.
Adding/Removing the Google accounts in the settings turns out to be a pretty painless and reliable solution, I'll report back if I encounter further issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So whats stopping 10 people from pitching in on a "neutral" account to buy some games/apps, logging into their device, installing those apps, then logging into their personal account and using them?
That would be one hell of a security hole. Is it still considered piracy if X number of people technically share a Google account?
I currently like the fact that if I purchase an app on my phone, I can use it on my Xoom. A hole like this would certainly ruin that and we would start to see device limitations.

Sirchuk said:
So whats stopping 10 people from pitching in on a "neutral" account to buy some games/apps, logging into their device, installing those apps, then logging into their personal account and using them?
That would be one hell of a security hole. Is it still considered piracy if X number of people technically share a Google account?
I currently like the fact that if I purchase an app on my phone, I can use it on my Xoom. A hole like this would certainly ruin that and we would start to see device limitations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering how it easy it is to pirate and sideload Android apps, paid and free, allowing multiple device installation is of limited concern. I have purchased an App, I should be able to do with it what I please and use it on whatever device I choose.
If you want to talk about a security hole, allowing multiple device installation is not it. How about the fact that I can find cracked versions of almost every paid app simply by using a Google search(irony?).
There is nothing stopping multiple people from "sharing" a Google account and thus sharing apps, but at least the dev is getting paid. Why wouldn't they just side-load the apk? Given my specific situation, highlighted in detail in the OP, there is nothing nefarious afoot.
By signing in to my Google account to download purchased apps, I am simply checking in and letting Google know that I own this device as well. If you are looking for ways to manipulate the system, I assure you there are easier ways than what I am doing. Easier and illegal.

FuzeAction said:
...Easier and illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the final point though. 10 people all pitching in $10 for $100 worth of apps to load onto their Android devices would be considered legal, since they're sharing them and not pirating them. They all paid for a portion of the applications.
I know, it's a small issue regardless. Still, unless it's an application made by Apple, I don't support pirating it.

I posted an issue on android's google code section two weeks ago. The more stars it gets the more likely it is to get attention.
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=15030

I found a simple solution on my NC for the time being : Dual Boot.
Default Boot : Them . Hold down a key press on boot : Me.
-m

Morkai Almandragon said:
Uh, sounds to me like that is EXACTLY what you were saying. I myself cannot wait till a forum mod finds this and boots your sorry ass off for it too! My only hope is that a few people read this and flame your but from here to a crappy mac forum first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I hit a nerve there evidently. Sorry I was not really trying to start a apple vs android discussion, there are plenty of those already on the site. Just pointing out that multiple users on a single tablet have evidently been thought about enough that some apps are starting to support it. Turns out I was wrong the facebook app that supports multiple users is not even a Apple made app so it's likely if/when that app comes to android (hell it may even be here already) it will support multiple facebook accounts.
I think it's likely that tablet apps that need multiple accounts to support multiple people (facebook/twitter/foresquare etc) may build in the ability to switch between accounts easily and workaround the issue of the base OS being designed for a single person.
p.s. Personally I don't own any apple anything but have multiple android devices, including the xoom so I'll let that indicate how I stand.

despich said:
Wow I hit a nerve there evidently. Sorry I was not really trying to start a apple vs android discussion, there are plenty of those already on the site. Just pointing out that multiple users on a single tablet have evidently been thought about enough that some apps are starting to support it. Turns out I was wrong the facebook app that supports multiple users is not even a Apple made app so it's likely if/when that app comes to android (hell it may even be here already) it will support multiple facebook accounts.
I think it's likely that tablet apps that need multiple accounts to support multiple people (facebook/twitter/foresquare etc) may build in the ability to switch between accounts easily and workaround the issue of the base OS being designed for a single person.
p.s. Personally I don't own any apple anything but have multiple android devices, including the xoom so I'll let that indicate how I stand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it pretty clear he was joking...

HELP! Ad's poping up on my android home screen.

Hi I'm not sure if it's my carrier "Assurance Wireless" that's doing this or if I may have done this my self iv'e only installed a few apps the same apps I have on another phone that's not mine testing purpose "Virgin Mobile" but it dose not get full ads pop up on it. My question is their any aps I could use to scan get rid of or block these thank you.
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If you've only got a few apps installed, uninstall all of them and see if the ads go away. If they do, reinstall the apps one at a time, until the ads come back and you'll have the culprit. If they don't go away with no apps installed, you can try a factory reset.

In addition to what Char_G said I would recommend to try anti malware and spyware app to scan the phone maybe likely the app causing this issue would be blacklisted.

It could also be the device. Some oems encludes ads like that when they sale discounted devices.

New behavior
Something new is happening apps are being installed automatically with out me doing anything only happens on wifi but recently have had the apps letgo, Lucktastic, Yahoo Sports, And BOSS revolution installed. I have ran malwarebytes and AVG for android both apps report no viruses or malware detected. I'm going to reset my phone to factory settings and install nothing from the play store and see what happens.

zelendel said:
It could also be the device. Some oems encludes ads like that when they sale discounted devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A friend thought this as well as it's a smartphone that Assurance Wireless gives you through the government program I'm on. Not a known name brand "UMX" as far as I can tell it manufactured by a Chinese company "Teleepoch" I'm not expecting something fancy from this program but this is nuts lol.

Brian7k said:
A friend thought this as well as it's a smartphone that Assurance Wireless gives you through the government program I'm on. Not a known name brand "UMX" as far as I can tell it manufactured by a Chinese company "Teleepoch" I'm not expecting something fancy from this program but this is nuts lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UMX is known to me and I'm betting I am right. It is a common thing mainly for devices like that. The inclusion of ads help off set the price of the device.
You may have a chance but it would depend on unlockable status of the device. If you could unlock the bootloader then by some work you could make a rom that removes it all. But again that depends.

zelendel said:
UMX is known to me and I'm betting I am right. It is a common thing mainly for devices like that. The inclusion of ads help off set the price of the device.
You may have a chance but it would depend on unlockable status of the device. If you could unlock the bootloader then by some work you could make a rom that removes it all. But again that depends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct reformat to factory settings did not install anything from the play store left my phone on with wifi on and got the same ads and apps on my phone. My question to you is their a firewall app I can download that would block this behavior or is it just something I will live with until I can get a better phone one day.

Brian7k said:
You are correct reformat to factory settings did not install anything from the play store left my phone on with wifi on and got the same ads and apps on my phone. My question to you is their a firewall app I can download that would block this behavior or is it just something I will live with until I can get a better phone one day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can manage to get root then an ad blocker might be able to help. Other then that you would need to flash a custom rom

No root solution found!
I have the same carrier and model of phone. I was getting the same kind of ads. But I also got ads in my notification area. I long pressed the notification to discover the app responsible was the in built gallery app (I had been curious of it's abnormally high data usage already). I disabled it and replaced it with an ad free gallery app from the play store and I haven't been assaulted with an advertisement since, 3-4 days ago. I actually created an account here for the explicit purpose of sharing this information because this was one of the top results in my search for answers and definitely the most helpful result. I hope it can help someone else.

Easy
I've had this before. It's basically an app. Except it's white and without a name so it's harder to find. Install a 3rd party installed apps list and you should find something white. Press on it and Uninstall it. Boom. Problem solved.
Unless if you're rooted, this may be a virus hidden deep in the system (not very commonly)

Not sure it could help, but have you tried installing a system-wide adblock app such as AdBlock from NoMobileAds? Here: https://nomobileads.com/

I have an app called "hidden apps." This is what i used to find a hidden app that kept throwing ads all over my phone and i was able to delete it

Goto your installed apps list, and check for all the app names. Malwares such as these have no names listed, so you should ideally be seeing a blank space in one of the apps, if you do see such an app, just uninstall it, and you should be good to go.
If you find no such app, then search for an app which has a peculiar name that you suspect.
I have had this same thing happen to me. I gave an app superuser access by mistake, and it kept doing this. I went to the app list, and found an app with no name listed. I uninstalled it, and everything went back to normal. Hope this helps.
For any reason, if you do not find a solution to this, flashing a new ROM will take care of this issue as all app data would be deleted. But this shouldn't be needed at all. Hope this helps. :good:

Just moved from T-Mobile Samsung Note 5 to Note 8. Only have a small number of my old programs moved over by SmartSwitch. Now, however, no matter what app I try to click on, about half the time I'm first presented with one or more pages of ads. I have to kill the app and restart it to get to it. This is being managed by something called appnews, which uses every facet of the phone, from monitoring contacts & email to embedding 1x1 transparent blocks on app screens, checking GPS and cell tower metadata to embedding itself in other apps (some apps even embed it intentionally for a payment) to gather info about me. Last night, my phone was charging and in hibernate mode when it woke up and gave me a strange ring at 3:00 AM. I picked up the phone and before I could even unlock it, a screen full of ads appeared.
My Note 5 was rooted, but I just got word that SafeSwitch is now available for the Note 8 (T-Mobile began locking bootloaders with the Galaxy S7, damn their hearts - friendly rooting was a major reason I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile). Will rooting give me access to appnews or do I have to root and load a custom kernel? EU members can opt out of appnews (there's a link in their EULA), but in no-privacy US, they don't offer the option.

ObamaPhoneMalware said:
I'm posting as a guest so I can get this out on the searchable web ASAP. I'll create a real account if anybody out there wants more info.
I found this thread by Googling "assurance wireless malware" BTW. I can confirm that this is also happening to me (across 4 devices) since October 2017.
This could potentially be a HUGE scandal - the Lifeline program serves some of the most vulnerable people, it's a multi-BILLION dollar yearly govt program, & the FCC chairman is already wanting to make cuts due to "waste, fraud, & abuse."
Plus the security implications of a botnet of compromised devices.
Plus the photos of Branson (Virgin CEO) palling around w/Obama (former US president ) whilst his company makes millions distributing malware-laden "ObamaPhones" & refusing to take responsibility.
I have hundreds of screenshots to prove the reality & the evolving symptoms of this malware. There's also a thread on the Virgin Mobile site where a mod confirms the Gallery app theory, but it's multiple programs also, in my experience. But no Assurance or Virgin phone rep will admit anything.
Anybody wanna help break a potentially huge story with me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree I'm pretty good at figuring out things like this and I have disabled and deleted what I believe were the apps/rouge apps doing this. It worked for a month or two and their back but I can't find them so they must be hidden within the rom or someplace I have no root access. I'm with you in believing this is manufactured malware and it's a shame they can get away with this.

Yes... this absolutely is malware that is built into a custom ROM
The phones are being shipped with a bad custom ROM that contains malware or adware there is no way to completely stop it. Especially when it comes to the pop up full screen ads. Also note that the security software in Android is not being updated properly, because the custom ROM has a fake updater app that doesn't get you any real updates.
The malware is built into the custom ROM that someone has flash to these phones. People are complaining that this happens to them with replacement phones that they get from Assurance Wireless not the original phone that they got in the first place.
There is no way to restore the original ROM because there are no copies of it online. So phones that have this problem are completely useless as they may also have some kind of spyware, keylogger or screenshot program that is recording what you do. I would stop using this phone altogether if I were you.
I just bought mine from eBay and I'm going to contact the seller to request a refund and I will send screenshots of the problem and pages from the forums that I have visited that talk about this problem as proof that this is a bad device.
Remember that the updater app is fake it is not the real one that is built into Android to check for updates and it is only getting 4 out of 60 updates available which means that the security in the phone is completely compromised so that the malware cannot be automatically disabled or deleted by the security updates.

Changing Google Assistant Default Music App/Provider

Hello all,
I have a rooted OnePlus 8 Pro running Magisk 21.0 (21000), and using Magisk Manager 8.0.2 (307)(11). My OS build is Oxygen OS 10.5.13.IN11AA(enhanced by xXx_NoLimits_ 12.3). I have no idea if any of that info even matters for my question, but I figured it couldn't hurt to share.
Now, I am mostly pleased with my OP8P as daily driver for about a month. However, there is one small thing that I can't seem to get working right. I would like to be able to use my Google Assistant to play my music library via the typical voice commands and such. My music streaming service of choice is an app by the name of AWA, and is confirmed on their website to be compatible with Google Assistant. However I can't for the life of me get it to show up in Google Assistant's music services list. It just shows the standard options(YT Music, Pandora, Deezer, and Spotify). It also lists what I assume to be a general information list option, as tapping it does nothing, entitled "Other music services" [See Pic]. It's almost as if Google Assistant doesn't recognize that AWA is even present on my phone.
Am I doing something wrong or missing some critical info?
Thanks for any help offered!

KingKazmaOfficial said:
Hello all,
I have a rooted OnePlus 8 Pro running Magisk 21.0 (21000), and using Magisk Manager 8.0.2 (307)(11). My OS build is Oxygen OS 10.5.13.IN11AA(enhanced by xXx_NoLimits_ 12.3). I have no idea if any of that info even matters for my question, but I figured it couldn't hurt to share.
Now, I am mostly pleased with my OP8P as daily driver for about a month. However, there is one small thing that I can't seem to get working right. I would like to be able to use my Google Assistant to play my music library via the typical voice commands and such. My music streaming service of choice is an app by the name of AWA, and is confirmed on their website to be compatible with Google Assistant. However I can't for the life of me get it to show up in Google Assistant's music services list. It just shows the standard options(YT Music, Pandora, Deezer, and Spotify). It also lists what I assume to be a general information list option, as tapping it does nothing, entitled "Other music services" [See Pic]. It's almost as if Google Assistant doesn't recognize that AWA is even present on my phone.
Am I doing something wrong or missing some critical info?
Thanks for any help offered!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I think the problem is your region. For example, I can't have Pandora to show up as it's not available in France. (Se the pic attached). You may use AWA (which seems to be Japanese) in your region but it doesn't mean that the app was meant to work in your region. Try with a VPN and see if that does it.

Raiz said:
Hi,
I think the problem is your region. For example, I can't have Pandora to show up as it's not available in France. (Se the pic attached). You may use AWA (which seems to be Japanese) in your region but it doesn't mean that the app was meant to work in your region. Try with a VPN and see if that does it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for responding,
I was afraid of someone suggesting that. I was really hoping it wasn't because it would require me to go VPN shopping, which I absolutely dread lol. It takes me a heck of a lot of time to reach a purchase decision on that type of stuff as I tend to practice extreme discretion when it comes to VPN service providers. Anywho, I'll try it out if and when I get a VPN subscription.

KingKazmaOfficial said:
Thank you for responding,
I was afraid of someone suggesting that. I was really hoping it wasn't because it would require me to go VPN shopping, which I absolutely dread lol. It takes me a heck of a lot of time to reach a purchase decision on that type of stuff as I tend to practice extreme discretion when it comes to VPN service providers. Anywho, I'll try it out if and when I get a VPN subscription.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try with a free one first, to check if it solves the problem. And if you want to choose a vpn take your time to read each of their privacy policy.
Good luck

Raiz said:
Try with a free one first, to check if it solves the problem. And if you want to choose a vpn take your time to read each of their privacy policy.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the sentiment, but free VPN are almost always a bad idea imo. Unless of course you meant try a VPN with a free trial, that is probably the route I will go.
Thanks again.

Raiz said:
Try with a free one first, to check if it solves the problem. And if you want to choose a vpn take your time to read each of their privacy policy.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, so I just tried on the free trial of NordVPN and no results...it just showed YT Music and Spotify this time. Wonder why. Anyway I'm fresh out of ideas.

KingKazmaOfficial said:
I appreciate the sentiment, but free VPN are almost always a bad idea imo. Unless of course you meant try a VPN with a free trial, that is probably the route I will go.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah in my opinion, even paid VPNs like NordVPN or stuff like that aren't a good idea. Unless you want to unlock region specific content, I won't advice you to do that. Most of the time people use them for privacy, but honestly my ISP is more trustworthy that one random enterprise. I use a VPN for when I'm connected to a public network, for example in a library, and my VPN is a raspberry pi that I configured myself with wireguard. I can't spoof location, nor hide internet traffic to my ISP with that, but for security on a public network it's perfect.
Hope you'll eventually find a solution.
Have a good day

How was my store visit inside a shopping mall tracked?

I was inside a shopping mall yesterday for a few hours. One of the shops/ store is an outlet of a well known electronics retail chain. I have purchased something there several months/ years back. I was inside this store yesterday too, but only briefly. I did NOT buy anything there yesterday.
When I returned home, I received an SMS from this Store thanking me for my visit.
How did this store's system know I was there?
Points to note:
1. I didn't make any transaction there yesterday.
2. I don't (never) connect my phone WiFi to outside networks. More importantly, my phone WiFi was OFF throughout my visit at the mall.
This is pretty creepy.

@TheMystic Pending on your settings, tracking via Bluetooth is also possible. And even if Wifi and/or Bluetooth are disabled, if you have the below shown settings enabled tracking is possible.
Spoiler
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Oswald Boelcke said:
@TheMystic Pending on your settings, tracking via Bluetooth is also possible. And even if Wifi and/or Bluetooth are disabled, if you have the below shown settings enabled tracking is possible.
Spoiler
View attachment 5830757
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of those were OFF.
Bluetooth was ON and connected to my watch. But I never connected my phone Bluetooth to any device in that Store.

Scary indeed... do you have any app related to this retail chain installed and does this have location access ? How about Google location services ?
Else I'd also opt for some BT/Wifi-device tracking as indicated by @Oswald Boelcke ...

s3axel said:
Scary indeed... do you have any app related to this retail chain installed and does this have location access ? How about Google location services ?
Else I'd also opt for some BT/Wifi-device tracking as indicated by @Oswald Boelcke ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, i don't have any related app on my phone.
Location was ON though.
Or was it my Watch WiFi (that wasn't explicitly OFF) that gave it away?

TheMystic said:
Both of those were OFF.
Bluetooth was ON and connected to my watch. But I never connected my phone Bluetooth to any device in that Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe this article contains an explanation?
Google can still use Bluetooth to track your Android phone when Bluetooth is turned off
Google is disregarding the privacy settings of millions of Android phones.
qz.com

Oswald Boelcke said:
Maybe this article contains an explanation?
Google can still use Bluetooth to track your Android phone when Bluetooth is turned off
Google is disregarding the privacy settings of millions of Android phones.
qz.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this link.
This sort of tracking is indeed an invasion of privacy, and I'm pretty sure most users are unaware of this, and will never consent to such accurate tracking of their whereabouts.
This store in question may have installed Bluetooth tracking beacons to track their customers. Google is providing them with the required information so they can advertise their products in a timely manner. This is part of Google's ad business.
I guess that if I spent sometime in the TV section, I can expect to see TV ads on my Google feed and elsewhere. Google has successfully tracked not only the store where i was, but right down to the section where I spent time, and for how long. This information is linked to my Google account, and hence I see related ads in various places.
Now here is the scary part:
How did the store link my device with my phone number? This is unacceptable invasion of privacy.
I have purchased from this Store several months back, and i have given my phone number to them at the time of transaction. But how did they link my phone (Bluetooth information) with my number?
On my Google account, I have set my phone number to be used only for account security purposes. If I'm locked out of my account for any reason, I can use my phone number to receive login OTP to get back into my account. I never consented to Google using my number for any marketing purposes.
Then how did the store successfully identify my presence there and then use it send me a SMS message?
Clearly, the information collected is far from being anonymous for providing any services useful for the user (such as Maps), and Google is guilty of sharing very personal information with 3rd parties and allowing them to track individuals' whereabouts. NOT ACCEPTABLE!

It looks to me Google does even more! Some more reading:
https://media.kuketz.de/blog/microblog/Harmless-Science-Project_Oracle_Dec2022.pdf

Oswald Boelcke said:
It looks to me Google does even more! Some more reading:
https://media.kuketz.de/blog/microblog/Harmless-Science-Project_Oracle_Dec2022.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is well summarised:
I thinks things have gone too far. It is high time that regulators all over the world put a stop on this. A private corporation has no business tracking individuals in this manner. Unless ofcourse, they are just a disguised front for the security agencies of a particular country.

TheMystic said:
I guess that if I spent sometime in the TV section, I can expect to see TV ads on my Google feed and elsewhere. Google has successfully tracked not only the store where i was, but right down to the section where I spent time, and for how long. This information is linked to my Google account, and hence I see related ads in various places.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I meant:
Yes, i visited a Bookstore yesterday in the same mall. Today I see this notification on my phone.

Install AppWarden to get an idea what apps / who are tracking you.

xXx yYy said:
Install AppWarden to get an idea what apps / who are tracking you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is clear Google is responsible for this level of tracking. As demonstrated in the link shared by @Oswald Boelcke above, even turning OFF several settings doesn't stop Google from collecting information and tracking you accurately. The electronics store was huge, but the bookstore was only a fraction of its size. Yet Google knew accurately which store i was in and passed on the information to 3rd parties.
In my Google account settings, my phone number is to be used only for account security purposes, yet Google gave that away to 3rd parties. I don't think stores by themselves have any way to link my device with my phone number. They obtained that information from Google.
Going forward, they will start tracking you even when your phone is switched OFF. Apple has already started doing this.

@TheMystic Gratefully, I've never made your experiences. But Google hasn't changed its "policies" just recently. They're the same already for many years and become refined every day.
Already many years ago, I decided to never use genuine, original Android (i.e. Google) but to go with costum ROM's, without any Google services but with microG due to the very few apps I use that need Google services, and to never have any Google application on my device. I check all my apps by the tool mentioned by @xXx yYy plus Exodus Privacy. Furthermore, I spoof ID's by XPrivacy Lua.

Oswald Boelcke said:
@TheMystic Gratefully, I've never made your experiences. But Google hasn't changed its "policies" just recently. They're the same already for many years and become refined every day.
Already many years ago, I decided to never use genuine, original Android (i.e. Google) but to go with costum ROM's, without any Google services but with microG due to the very few apps I use that need Google services, and to never have any Google application on my device. I check all my apps by the tool mentioned by @xXx yYy plus Exodus Privacy. Furthermore, I spoof ID's by XPrivacy Lua.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I use Google apps heavily as they make life really easy. Google Photos is one service that I find extremely safe to store my camera roll, along with the convenience of accessing them from any device (iOS, Windows, macOS). I'm aware of the ability to host my own cloud server for this purpose, but unfortunately don't have the expertise to keep it safe for online access.
The technology has evolved to a point where too much data is being collected and used in many more ways than what is declared. I haven't experienced something like this earlier, so it shows how much more efficient these tools have become.
Earlier, if I do a manual search on Google for a product, I would see related ads on Amazon, Facebook and elsewhere. That was fine. But now things have evolved to a point where products are being recommended to me and 3rd party entities are able to contact me based on where I was, with so much accuracy that makes me uncomfortable.
There has to be a solution from authorities where large corporations (or any entity) cannot invade into people's privacy in this manner. They can't say I have the option to not use their products or services, such as not using the phone itself. Because that would make me uncompetitive, giving my peers and competitors an unfair advantage.
Apple is conveniently using CSAM as a legal excuse to scan people's private photos and videos. Next they will scan all documents, chats and emails for 'security' reasons or some lame excuse. Apple, Google and Microsoft are already doing this on some scale. It is only set to get worse from here, unless there is legal/ governmental intervention.

Wondering why not all people prevent Google tracking / spying you via Android's hosts file:
hosts file for blocking basically all Google connections
hosts file for blocking basically all Google connections - hosts
gist.github.com

xXx yYy said:
Wondering why not all people prevent Google tracking / spying you via Android's hosts file:
hosts file for blocking basically all Google connections
hosts file for blocking basically all Google connections - hosts
gist.github.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Requires root.
What about users who use Google Photos, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Keep, etc.?
Only YouTube has alternatives. More importantly, I don't think many users will be comfortable using modded apps for the above.
Is there a good alternative to Google Maps that doesn't rely on Google Play Services and Google Location services?
Turning OFF Bluetooth effectively means the smartwatch will only show time.

I don't see how such an entity could send you a text message without first knowing your phone number. I assume you've made purchases there before, and gave them your phone number when you did so? Without having that store's app on your phone, I don't see how else they would know what your phone number is, and unless you've had that app on your phone before, I don't see how they could identify your device via BlueTooth. If you're an established customer there, it's a remote possibility that they use facial recognition software with their security cameras, although that's rather unlikely...
My point is, this doesn't really add up. While Google apps use your location data to provide targeted ads, they don't share your phone number with advertisers without your consent.

V0latyle said:
I don't see how such an entity could send you a text message without first knowing your phone number. I assume you've made purchases there before, and gave them your phone number when you did so? Without having that store's app on your phone, I don't see how else they would know what your phone number is, and unless you've had that app on your phone before, I don't see how they could identify your device via BlueTooth. If you're an established customer there, it's a remote possibility that they use facial recognition software with their security cameras, although that's rather unlikely...
My point is, this doesn't really add up. While Google apps use your location data to provide targeted ads, they don't share your phone number with advertisers without your consent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheMystic said:
I have purchased from this Store several months back, and i have given my phone number to them at the time of transaction. But how did they link my phone (Bluetooth information) with my number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you haven't read through the comments.
I never installed the store's app. Facial recognition is a highly unlikely scenario in this case.
Even though I am a customer of that store and they have my phone number, how did they identify my presence there? I never connected my phone to anything in that store or even the mall.
I can't think of anything else except that Google violated my account settings and shared my phone number:
TheMystic said:
On my Google account, I have set my phone number to be used only for account security purposes. If I'm locked out of my account for any reason, I can use my phone number to receive login OTP to get back into my account. I never consented to Google using my number for any marketing purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

TheMystic said:
I guess you haven't read through the comments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I admit I skimmed
TheMystic said:
I never installed the store's app. Facial recognition is a highly unlikely scenario in this case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, that's why I said it was a distinctly remote possibility
TheMystic said:
Even though I am a customer of that store and they have my phone number, how did they identify my presence there? I never connected my phone to anything in that store or even the mall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's the mystery. I can see getting a text message after making a purchase - they have your phone number after all. Maybe it's some sort of social program with employees to recognize and reach out to repeat customers in an effort to build rapport?
TheMystic said:
I can't think of anything else except that Google violated my account settings and shared my phone number:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wouldn't be the first time.
Bottom line is...if there's nothing on your phone associated with the store, I don't think they identified you by means of your phone or your watch. Google does know you were in the general vicinity, but providing location data to third parties is a great way to get sued so I really don't think they're doing that...

V0latyle said:
Maybe it's some sort of social program with employees to recognize and reach out to repeat customers in an effort to build rapport?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been to this store a long time back (more than a year) and none of the employees there knew me, and vice versa. I barely interacted with anyone there this time. Spent just about 5 minutes and then walked out.
V0latyle said:
It wouldn't be the first time.
Bottom line is...if there's nothing on your phone associated with the store, I don't think they identified you by means of your phone or your watch. Google does know you were in the general vicinity, but providing location data to third parties is a great way to get sued so I really don't think they're doing that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bluetooth beacons may be present in that store that could identify me as 'someone who has been here before'. This is how Google can accurately pinpoint your location (precise location). As mentioned in post #10, I saw ads for books from Amazon the next day.
But I can't think of anything at the store level that could link this with my identity (phone number). So somewhere Google has knowingly or unknowingly given that information away.

Question How to have a clean phone without advertisement ?

Blokada not working. I got advertisement all over.
Private DNS, dns.adguard.com really slows up my phone.
Any solutions, please?

Take out the trash. No social media apps should ever be installed. The reason dns.adguard.com is puking on you is because the amount of bandwidth the trashware apps ads are using!
FB, WhatsApp, Instagram are malware; use browser login only if you must. Brave browser offers good protections.
I use the dns.adguard.com mod on my stock N10+'s*, no ads and normally it's reasonably fast. Any app that doesn't require internet access to operate is firewall blocked. The worst offenders get ditched for the good of the system. Almost all viruses, trojans, etc are user installed. Disable all app updates as they are a potential pathway for trojan payload downloads. Updates and upgrades can and do break Samsung's.
You are what you load.
*been running Pie with no updates in over 3 years. Last factory reset was over 2.5 years ago.
No malware in that time frame. All OTA, Samsung, Playstore and app updates/upgrades are disabled. Zero issues.

My problem is the phone works Bad on the internet. Like a 100 euro phone. Is horrible for this PRICE!
I don't have any social creap media! At all! Except Whatsapp.
I use Duck duck go browser.
I update apps manualy.
I use dns.adguard.com on OnePlus phones, maybe from OnePlus 3. I may be wrong..

null0seven said:
My problem is the phone works Bad on the internet. Like a 100 euro phone. Is horrible for this PRICE!
I don't have any social creap media! At all! Except Whatsapp.
I use Duck duck go browser.
I update apps manualy.
I use dns.adguard.com on OnePlus phones, maybe from OnePlus 3. I may be wrong..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WhatsApp is one of the worst. A multi-vector security threat. Being bored is better than being over stimulated
Try doing a network reset. Have your carrier do a reset on their side, see if that helps any.

null0seven said:
Any solutions, please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root your phone and install AdAway & AFWall+ and debloat it.
With no root, its impossible. Take the control over your property

RheinPirat said:
root your phone and install AdAway & AFWall+ and debloat it.
With no root, its impossible. Take the control over your property
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Package Disabler or adb edits can be successfully used on stock Samsung's to debloat and optimize them...

blackhawk said:
Take out the trash. No social media apps should ever be installed. The reason dns.adguard.com is puking on you is because the amount of bandwidth the trashware apps ads are using!
FB, WhatsApp, Instagram are malware; use browser login only if you must. Brave browser offers good protections.
I use the dns.adguard.com mod on my stock N10+'s*, no ads and normally it's reasonably fast. Any app that doesn't require internet access to operate is firewall blocked. The worst offenders get ditched for the good of the system. Almost all viruses, trojans, etc are user installed. Disable all app updates as they are a potential pathway for trojan payload downloads. Updates and upgrades can and do break Samsung's.
You are what you load.
*been running Pie with no updates in over 3 years. Last factory reset was over 2.5 years ago.
No malware in that time frame. All OTA, Samsung, Playstore and app updates/upgrades are disabled. Zero issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
blackhawk said:
FB, WhatsApp, Instagram are malware; use browser login only if you must.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree with you.

blackhawk said:
Package Disabler or adb edits can be successfully used on stock Samsung's to debloat and optimize them...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And when a app is sideloading ads over a separate URL? The only way to block ads on the network layer.
Or u use your own vpn on your router with a pihole

nextdns is very good and free.

RheinPirat said:
And when a app is sideloading ads over a separate URL? The only way to block ads on the network layer.
Or u use your own vpn on your router with a pihole
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dns.adguard.com setting kills on all of the ones on the few apps I have that have adware that require internet access. I use that, Package Disabler, Karma Firewall and the rest is done with individual app settings on my N975U. My N975U1 is set up almost identically as well.

‬1‬ said:
nextdns is very good and free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dns.adguard.com is free too. You can use the companion app but it will work without it.

null0seven said:
Blokada not working. I got advertisement all over.
Private DNS, dns.adguard.com really slows up my phone.
Any solutions, please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Adaway. It is an open-source add-blocking app, and it works on rooted and unrooted phones. It doesn't seem to slow anything down unrooted, and is even faster when rooted. Also, if an add sneaks thorough, you can add the website it came from to the blacklist. Try it out: here is their website, here is their GitHub page, and here is their page on F-Droid.

ethical_haquer said:
I use Adaway. It is an open-source add-blocking app, and it works on rooted and unrooted phones. It doesn't seem to slow anything down unrooted, and is even faster when rooted. Also, if an add sneaks thorough, you can add the website it came from to the blacklist. Try it out: here is their website, here is their GitHub page, and here is their page on F-Droid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. i instaled Adaway to see how it goes..
RheinPirat said:
root your phone and install AdAway & AFWall+ and debloat it.
With no root, its impossible. Take the control over your property
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to root. I will sell the 1200 euro ****/creap phone..
blackhawk said:
The dns.adguard.com setting kills on all of the ones on the few apps I have that have adware that require internet access. I use that, Package Disabler, Karma Firewall and the rest is done with individual app settings on my N975U. My N975U1 is set up almost identically as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand why it not works on this idiot phone..

null0seven said:
I don't understand why it not works on this idiot phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where and when are the ads appearing?

NextDNS is the best and fastest solution IMO.
I have used every type over the years, but with NextDNS I don't even root my phones anymore. For my mobile profile, I have the following under Privacy Settings Tab:
Blocklists: (I have tested these FOUR to be the most stable and not break email images or other stuff).
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
The rest of the settings under privacy:
Under the security tab, I have everything enabled.
Under the settings tab, I have the following:

blackhawk said:
Where and when are the ads appearing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, but i will sell the phone.

Blackfyre said:
NextDNS is the best and fastest solution IMO.
I have used every type over the years, but with NextDNS I don't even root my phones anymore. For my mobile profile, I have the following under Privacy Settings Tab:
Blocklists: (I have tested these FOUR to be the most stable and not break email images or other stuff).
View attachment 5847629
The rest of the settings under privacy:
View attachment 5847633
Under the security tab, I have everything enabled.
View attachment 5847635
Under the settings tab, I have the following:
View attachment 5847637
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is NextDNS's personal data policy for the free plan?
Nevermind. I found it.
Privacy Policy - NextDNS

null0seven said:
Thank you, but i will sell the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adaway isn't working?

gernerttl said:
What is NextDNS's personal data policy for the free plan?
Nevermind. I found it.
Privacy Policy - NextDNS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you found it.
It's the best adblocking solution by far; in terms of performance, security, reliability, and privacy.

Blackfyre said:
Yeah, you found it.
It's the best adblocking solution by far; in terms of performance, security, reliability, and privacy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you sign up? Is it an app?