Apps and Permissions

[ptonantryloc]

I just went to install a flashlight app on my Nexus 5 from the Play Store. It appears the most popular one is:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surpax.ledflashlight.panel

4-1/2 stars; 1,049,363 downloads; 331,229 Recommend this on Google

According to its description,all it does is turn on light, strobe the light, and have a pretty display.

When I went to install it, I saw the following for the permissions it wants:

This app has access to these permissions:
Network communication
view network connections
full network access
view Wi-Fi connections
receive data from Internet
Phone calls
read phone status and identity
Storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Your applications information
retrieve running apps
Camera
take pictures and videos
Development tools
change system display settings
System tools
modify system settings
test access to protected storage
Affects battery
control flashlight
prevent device from sleeping

My jaw dropped. Needless to say, I didn't install it (yet look at all the others who did install it). If I remember correctly, Google withdrew the tool that initially was on this phone for selectively disabling permissions of apps. Is there another one out there that's reputable and good?

 

[B. Diddy]

That sure seems excessive. I recommend Power Toggles, which is very versatile and powerful. The developer also explains why the app needs each permission. https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...pps/details?id=com.painless.pc&token=4C6EQa5X

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Infinity]

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...id=com.nionsoftware.flashlight&token=7WkrAPC0

 

[yfan]

A lot of apps ask for permissions that aren't needed and that those apps never use. On the other hand, more permissions are often needed to perform a trivial-sounding task than most might believe. Sometimes apps have settings that need access to different permissions. For example, a flashlight app could conceivably have a control allowing the user to disable it when connected to certain WiFi networks, in which case it would need network access. It may also provide an option to enable or disable during phone calls. It depends, and you don't know the justifications until after installing an app and going through its settings.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[maverick7526]

Try Nexus Torch. Only 2 permissions, camera, and not letting the phone sleep. Great app.

Posted via NSA Spy Van 37...... Free candy??

 

[patruns]

I use DroidLight. Minimal permissions, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.motorola.dlight

 

[flick0416]

If you use DashClock widget, they have a flashlight extension. It's the one I use.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...tails?id=com.spectrl.DashLight&token=GoGC1nOM

 

[jj14x]

I just went to install a flashlight app on my Nexus 5 from the Play Store. It appears the most popular one is:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.surpax.ledflashlight.panel
4-1/2 stars; 1,049,363 downloads; 331,229 Recommend this on Google

Funny how the promotional video at play store shows the light visible from space!
But let common sense prevail - the app does not need all those permissions, so personally, I'd skip it - especially because there are many alternatives available (power toggles is my recommendation too, but a flashlight app is really not brain surgery, so almost any app will suffice)

 

[ptonantryloc]

I found this tutorial code on turning the camera flash into a flashlight on Android:

How to turn on/off camera LED / flashlight in Android

It's bare-bones, but as expected, the only permission it needs is access to the camera.