Permission manager app?

[TheEijk]

Hello,

Coming from iOS, I've received my brand new and awesome Nexus 5 a few days ago and I have to say: I love it. I really like the way Android works, except for one thing: The way it 'violates' my privacy. I mean, why does a game need the permission to read my phone status?

To solve this issue, I'm looking for an app that can prevent other apps from doing this. Any tips?

Oh, and my Nexus is rooted (if it matters).

Thanks in advance,
TheEijk

Posted via Android Central App

 

[jj14x]

To solve this issue, I'm looking for an app that can prevent other apps from doing this. Any tips?
Oh, and my Nexus is rooted (if it matters).

Since you are rooted, look for AppOpsx
Or you could install the Xposed framework, and use the XPrivacy module

 

[N4Newbie]

Of course, if you are worried about device and personal security, then rooting is the absolute worst thing you can do. A rooted phone is extremely insecure and a rogue app can get access to just about anything, without your permission or knowledge.

Here's just one article on this subject The dangers of rooting your Android phone | Android and Me

You can easily find many more with just a little googling...

 

[bluefalcon13]

Once upon a time I scoffed at people who weren't rooted... Then I realized all I wanted was the newest version of android and fast updates... So I bought a nexus

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[TheEijk]

Since you are rooted, look for AppOpsx
Or you could install the Xposed framework, and use the XPrivacy module

Thank you, I'll take a look at that. Very helpful

Of course, if you are worried about device and personal security, then rooting is the absolute worst thing you can do. A rooted phone is extremely insecure and a rogue app can get access to just about anything, without your permission or knowledge.

Here's just one article on this subject The dangers of rooting your Android phone | Android and Me

You can easily find many more with just a little googling...

I'm fully aware of this. Basically, the issues described in this blogpost are exactly what I want to prevent from happening with the tweak/app I'm looking for. I only rooted my device because I saw some good reviews about Greenify and Titanium Backup.
What I didn't know is that an app can get access to my data without asking permission (via SuperSU) for it. Or did I misread that?

Edit: Whenever I try to use App Op, it crashes and I get the error "Settings has stopped working". When I try to use similar apps, I get the same error.

 

[N4Newbie]

You miss the point. On a rooted phone, ANY app can do ANYTHING it wants to do. Permissions, whether granted/denied by you or by another app, become meaningless because any app is able to run with full system access.

The rush to root by users who do not understand the consequences is one of the great mysteries of the 21st century.

 

[foxbat121]

Hello,

I mean, why does a game need the permission to read my phone status?

A professionally done game will pause the game and let you pick up the phone call. Or you would rather prefer miss the call or let the game quit half way? That's way it need to read your phone status.

Android has way more permissions spelled out for you unlike iOS where only a few simply choices. It doesn't mean iOS Apps don't do that Android games do. They do but since there is no iOS permissions about it, they don't have to tell you.

Remember, if an App can manage this critical security aspect, so are malwares to take advantage of it. Some stuff are important to protect.

 

[jj14x]

Edit: Whenever I try to use App Op, it crashes and I get the error "Settings has stopped working". When I try to use similar apps, I get the same error.

You need AppOpsX (not AppOps) - same app, but requires the app to be installed to the system (requiring root access) - see the 6th screen print on the app's page on google play

 

[jj14x]

You miss the point. On a rooted phone, ANY app can do ANYTHING it wants to do. Permissions, whether granted/denied by you or by another app, become meaningless because any app is able to run with full system access.

The rush to root by users who do not understand the consequences is one of the great mysteries of the 21st century.

Stop spreading your misconceptions - please! NO! On a rooted phone, all apps still play by Android permissions. An app that only has permissions to access the internet cannot suddenly access your contacts. There are ROOT apps (very few) - that the user knowingly installs (example: Titanium backup, Adaway etc) - that request root privileges. The SuperSU app that you install during root controls that root access. Root access can be set up to not grant root access all the time, so when root access is needed, you are prompted to approve even that access.

I am rooted, and have 4-5 apps that require root. I know these apps, and know when they require root access. If you are having to approve root access when you don't expect it to, deny that access request. Example: When I initiate titanium backup (or when it runs on the schedule that I set), I get prompted to approve that root access request. If I get prompted when I don't expect that request, I would deny it.

Only root apps can do 'anything' - not ALL apps. And you choose what root apps you install, and when they access root privileges.

Again, please don't spread false information.

Rooting doesn't make your phone insecure. If a user installs an app that claims to provide a live wallpaper, but requires access to contacts, to send/receive sms, to make/intercept calls, to keep phone awake, to read/write calendar etc, that is more dangerous that the ability of the user to be able to use root privileges to restrict that access.

 

[TheEijk]

A professionally done game will pause the game and let you pick up the phone call. Or you would rather prefer miss the call or let the game quit half way? That's way it need to read your phone status.

Android has way more permissions spelled out for you unlike iOS where only a few simply choices. It doesn't mean iOS Apps don't do that Android games do. They do but since there is no iOS permissions about it, they don't have to tell you.

Remember, if an App can manage this critical security aspect, so are malwares to take advantage of it. Some stuff are important to protect.

If that's the case, why don't all apps need access to my phone's status? Can't I answer a call when I'm using an app that doesn't have access to the phone's status?

Edit: I misinterpreted your post. Forget what I mentioned above, you're right. Although I do think it's a pretty broad permission. The dev can do a lot of things with just that permission.

Stop spreading your misconceptions - please! NO! On a rooted phone, all apps still play by Android permissions. An app that only has permissions to access the internet cannot suddenly access your contacts. There are ROOT apps (very few) - that the user knowingly installs (example: Titanium backup, Adaway etc) - that request root privileges. The SuperSU app that you install during root controls that root access. Root access can be set up to not grant root access all the time, so when root access is needed, you are prompted to approve even that access.

I am rooted, and have 4-5 apps that require root. I know these apps, and know when they require root access. If you are having to approve root access when you don't expect it to, deny that access request. Example: When I initiate titanium backup (or when it runs on the schedule that I set), I get prompted to approve that root access request. If I get prompted when I don't expect that request, I would deny it.

Only root apps can do 'anything' - not ALL apps. And you choose what root apps you install, and when they access root privileges.

Again, please don't spread false information.

Rooting doesn't make your phone insecure. If a user installs an app that claims to provide a live wallpaper, but requires access to contacts, to send/receive sms, to make/intercept calls, to keep phone awake, to read/write calendar etc, that is more dangerous that the ability of the user to be able to use root privileges to restrict that access.

That makes sense. Apps like SuperSU would be useless if apps can get root privileges without them.

You need AppOpsX (not AppOps) - same app, but requires the app to be installed to the system (requiring root access) - see the 6th screen print on the app's page on google play

To be honest, I was a bit shivery giving the app root access. Thanks for your reply. Will try it in just a second.
Edit: Thank you, works like a charm

Edit 2: Basically, my question has been answered. But, this thread raised another question: Is rooting a (potential) risk regarding someone's privacy, even though that person doesn't give certain (malicious) apps root privileges?

 

[jj14x]

Edit 2: Basically, my question has been answered. But, this thread raised another question: Is rooting a (potential) risk regarding someone's privacy, even though that person doesn't give certain (malicious) apps root privileges?

Rooting in itself is not going to risk your privacy. Regardless of root status, if malicious apps are given permissions (not necessarily root privileges), you risk your privacy and data and security.
An app can't get root privileges on a rooted phone, unless the user approves the root access request.

 

[TheEijk]

Ah, ok. Thanks for the help all

Posted via Android Central App

 

[mdcramer]

Since you are rooted, look for AppOpsx
Or you could install the Xposed framework, and use the XPrivacy module

The link to AppOpsX no longer works, and I couldn't find much information about it, but is Xprivacy still a good option? (I had to remove the links because I don't have enough posts on this forum.)

I have a rooted LG Optimus F3Q running Android 4.1.2 and I'm looking for something that does what Xprivacy claims to do - block individual permissions on an app by app basis. (i.e. Block random interesting-looking app for having access to my contacts.) I looked at a handful of app in the Play store and Advanced Permission Manager looked good, but that was about it. Thank you for the advice.