How to view the background usage history of an app?

[Santhosh8901]

I have a Redmi Note 7 Pro with Android 10 in it. I recently installed an app which required storage permissions. I gave that permission to that app and everything was fine.

Recently, I'm dealing with the issue of disappearing files in my phone. I believe the app I installed to be the suspect.

So I just thought of checking the background usage history of that app to get some clarity on my issue. Unfortunately I'm not sure if it is possible to check an app background usage history. Even if it is possible, I don't know how to check it.

I did think of uninstalling that app to check if that app is causing the problem. Unfortunately I paid for that app, configured that app to do what I want (which took an hour), and that app developer isn't responding to my emails. So, I request this community to let me know of a viable approach to solve my problem.

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to AC!

Which app is this ? And what permission are enabled ? To check it's permission long press that app then tap app info>scroll to permission.

 

[Santhosh8901]

Hi! It is an app named "AutoSync for Google Drive". It just has storage permission, nothing more

 

[Santhosh8901]

I configured this app to sync few folders in a two way configuration. It seems like the problem is with the pdf files (Based on my observation). Other file types like jpeg look good to me. I disabled Auto-Sync in that app but the issue still persists.

 

[mustang7757]

Looks like good reviews from play store , you can disable permission and test if it still happening since you don't want uninstall it to see if it's the problem and won't lose nothing this way .

 

[Santhosh8901]

That's a really nice solution! I'll try it and see if the problem still persists

 

[mustang7757]

That's a really nice solution! I'll try it and see if the problem still persists

Ok let me know!

 

[B. Diddy]

I moved this from the Android Apps forum to the General Help forum since the former is intended for developers to promote their apps.

I'd also contact the developer about this issue if it persists: drivesync@metactrl.com

 

[Santhosh8901]

I was mistaken. AutoSync for Google Drive had nothing to do with this problem.

It seems like some other app with the storage permission is causing the problem. This problem started on the 3rd of November, 2020 IST.

I tried checking the app update history of that time to check whether a recent update of an app is causing this issue. Turns out, none of the apps updated at that time has the storage permission.

I thought that my phone might have gotten compromised but a Kaspersky scan shows no sign of threats. Still, even if my phone got compromised, I honestly don't know why the malware isn't targeting the payment information I have in my device instead of deleting files which are specifically new and not old. So I ruled out that possibility.

I tried checking my Google Activity history and found something interesting. I found something by the name of permissions controller opened twice when I was sleeping. I assumed some app enabled and disabled a permission (If that's possible) but when I try searching for that activity now, it seems missing. I thought that my Google account might have gotten compromised and checked the sign in history. My device is the only device in which it is signed in and I have 2FA enabled for my account. Moreover, a person can't gain complete access to an Android phone just by knowing their Google account credentials and delete new files. So I concluded that my Google account isn't compromised and ruled out that possibility.

I even thought I might be having some sleep disorder and doing this on my own, but I haven't gotten diagnosed with any such condition, none of my roommates complained of anything like that, and this problem of file deletion occurred when I was wide awake in my college (doing a presentation) as well. So I ruled out that possibility too.

I thought someone is just messing with me and deleting files in my phone. But it doesn't match the pattern in which the file is getting deleted. Only the files which are new (specifically pdf, based on my observation) is getting deleted. Even my friends / acquaintances / roommate / housemate wouldn't know which is the new file given the level of organization I have in my phone and the PIN (Which I have managed to keep as a secret). So I ruled out that possibility as well.

I tried checking the timestamp of modifications that occurred last time in my folder (in which the file was) too. It just doesn't match any pattern and it is too random. And my latest Android update was in mid October. So that also doesn't seem to be a possibility. If only there was a way to check background usage history of apps, I would have been glad.

I'm honestly frustrated right now. I missed my morning class (which is important) and breakfast, trying to diagnose this issue (which is also important, because it is deleting important files related to academics and work). The possibilities just seem to be endless....