Skip to main content

Google I/O: Android Q aims to bring app permissions firmly under control

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google is capitalizing on Google I/O 2019 to detail how it intends to make Android app permissions and security better in Android Q, which will, in turn, make your smartphone a safer, more secure place for your data.

The biggest change to Android Q’s permissions is the addition of a more targeted system. At the moment, granting a permission in Android is an analog process — you either grant an app storage permission or you don’t. While that makes everything nice and simple, it means that there are no limits on the app where timing is concerned.

Recommended Videos

In Android Q, you’ll be able to specify that you only want to grant an app permission to access your location data while you’re using that specific app. This means a chat app will no longer be able to access your location data while it’s not being used, but you’ll still be able to send your location to your friend when you need to.

Adding new options to permissions is only the beginning. Google is also asking app developers to find ways around permissions if they don’t need to be used — for instance, by using “Retreiver APIs” to pull relevant data, instead of granting blanket permissions that make users suspicious. Google highlighted how SMS Retrieval APIs can be used to confirm text message confirmation codes without the need to ask for SMS permissions.

There are times when permissions are absolutely required, and Google is also asking developers to make the reasons behind permissions more apparent. Only 18% of Android users allow apps all the permissions they request, and the top reason for denial is that the “app shouldn’t need the permission.” In those cases, it’s on the app developer to explain why it is their app needs these permissions.

Android Q will also be locking down some of your device’s individual indentifiers, including the IMEI, ESN, Build, SIM, and USB numbers. These hardware identifiers used to be available through certain permissions. An Android Q device’s MAC address is also completely randomized when connecting to a different network. Changing the way these elements of Android work significantly boosts user security.

Mark Jansen
Former Mobile Evergreen Editor
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
Google Maps’ new feature sees Android play catchup to iOS
Samsung Galaxy S24 in Marble Gray showing Google Maps.

Android users are getting their first glimpse of a new operating system feature while using Google Maps, as the app is the first to make use of the Live Updates ability that was added for Android 16. The feature will give users updated information in their status bar so they can keep track of ongoing activity such as following directions using maps.

Similar to Apple's Live Activities system, the Android function can potentially be used by a range of apps but has first been seen in Google Maps. "Live Updates are a new class of notifications that help users monitor and quickly access important ongoing activities," Android developers explained in a post highlighting the feature when it was first announced.

Read more
Google quietly fixed USB flaw that left over a billion Android devices exposed
Official Android mascot and splash screen on a phone.

In the first week of February, Google published its usual Android Security Bulletin, detailing security flaws that have been plugged to strengthen the platform safety. These flaws are usually declared once they have been fixed, except in special circumstances.

February is one of those rare situations for a kernel-level, high-severity flaw that was still being actively exploited at the time of the bulletin’s release. “There are indications that CVE-2024-53104 may be under limited, targeted exploitation,” says the release note.

Read more
A native Android Apple TV app is now in the Google Play store
The Apple TV app on a Samsung Android phone.

It's been five years since the Apple TV app was launched, and we're now getting a version for Android devices -- built from the ground up for native Android integration -- in the Google Play store that will have the same Apple TV+ functionality as the Apple ecosystem version. The new app means users with Android OS 10 or later will finally have the ability to sign up for Apple TV+ on their Android-based phones and tablets to watch shows and movies like Severance, Silo, Killers of the Flower Moon, and CODA. There will be no difference in pricing on Android compared to Apple.

This should enable seamless interactivity across platforms for features such as Continue Watching -- which keeps track of where you are in a show or movie and allows you to pick up from that spot when you return, regardless of the device you watch on. Customer's Watchlist will be kept up to date across devices as well, and since purchases are linked to your Apple account, all the content you own will be accessible on any device with the new updated app. One thing missing at launch, though, will be the ability to cast Apple TV content from your Android device.

Read more