How to Stop Android Apps From Spying on You

Not every Android application you install requires access to your location, microphone, or contact list—however, many still take advantage of these permissions. If you have not reviewed your privacy settings recently, now is the appropriate moment to prevent any future invasions of privacy before they begin.

Control App Permissions

When you install a new application, it frequently requests access to information such as your camera, microphone, or location even before you have opened it. However, many applications do not actually require all the permissions they seek. For example, a photo editing application can function perfectly well without needing to know your location. Similarly, a notes application does not require access to your microphone.

These unnecessary permissions can subtly enable background tracking if you are not vigilant. Fortunately, you can manage app permissions from the outset. Immediately after installing an application, long-press its icon on your home screen or in the app drawer, and then select App info. From that point, navigate to Permissions to see what the application is permitted to access. Tap on each item and select Deny or Ask every time if you are uncertain about granting it full access.

To oversee permissions for all your applications in one location, go to Settings > Security and privacy > More privacy settings > Permission Manager. You will find categories of permissions such as Camera, Location, and Microphone. Tap on any of these categories to view which applications have access, and then determine if they genuinely require it.

It only requires a few taps to establish these boundaries early on, and doing so can safeguard your data from potential misuse in the future. The sooner you take action, the greater control you will have over what your applications can access and perform. 

Turn Off Precise Location

Most applications do not require your exact coordinates. While services such as mapping or ride-hailing depend on location, even these seldom necessitate pinpoint accuracy. Android provides the option to select between Precise and Approximate when accessing your location, with the latter typically functioning adequately.

When an application requests access to your location, you will frequently encounter a toggle labeled Use precise location, which is generally enabled by default. Disabling this option instructs the application to utilize only your general vicinity rather than your specific location. If you have previously granted precise location access to certain applications, you can revisit and modify this setting.

To do so, navigate to Settings > Location > App permissions, and then select the application you wish to review. From that point, toggle off Use precise location to prevent the application from tracking your exact movements. It will continue to operate, but will have access to less detailed information regarding your whereabouts. 

Restrict Background Battery Usage 

Closing an application does not necessarily imply that it ceases to function. Numerous applications operate silently in the background, communicating with servers and gathering information.

To prevent this, go to Settings > Apps, choose the application, select Battery, and adjust its background activity to Restricted. By doing so, the application will not operate in the background unless you launch it directly.

Exercise caution when activating this setting for applications from which you require timely notifications, such as messaging apps. Implementing this option may considerably postpone the notifications from the affected applications. 

Disable Nearby Device and Bluetooth Scanning 

 Even if you do not frequently utilize Bluetooth, certain applications can employ Bluetooth scanning to identify nearby devices and monitor your movements. This is part of how specific applications gather ambient data for analytics or location services.

To prevent this unobtrusive tracking, navigate to Settings > Location > Location Services > Bluetooth Scanning, and disable it.

While you are making adjustments, you might also want to disable Wi-Fi Scanning. This feature scans for nearby Wi-Fi networks to enhance location precision, notifies you of available open Wi-Fi networks in your vicinity, and automatically reactivates Wi-Fi when you arrive at a recognized network (such as your home). Although these settings assist applications in refining location accuracy, they also expose you to passive tracking.