Develop Bugs

Location Services

Hello all!
First off. Long time IOS user that just purchased a GN. More specifically - I just came from an iPhone 4.
Love the GN.
I can't seem to figure something out. In IOS I can selectively set whether or not to allow location to be ascertained by apps individually. The only thing I found that I can do is turn off location services for everything. There's some things that I would rather leave on i.e. google maps etc.
Can you do that on an individual basis?
Other than that I'm digging Android. There are some things that are worse compared to IOS, but there are also some things that are executed better on Android.
Aloha!

kapolani said:
Hello all!
First off. Long time IOS user that just purchased a GN. More specifically - I just came from an iPhone 4.
Love the GN.
I can't seem to figure something out. In IOS I can selectively set whether or not to allow location to be ascertained by apps individually. The only thing I found that I can do is turn off location services for everything. There's some things that I would rather leave on i.e. google maps etc.
Can you do that on an individual basis?
Other than that I'm digging Android. There are some things that are worse compared to IOS, but there are also some things that are executed better on Android.
Aloha!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible if you are rooted. It requires that you revoke the gps permissions for the apps you don't want to have that access.
The problem is that this may cause the apps to force close if they can't get that access.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Herman76 said:
It is possible if you are rooted. It requires that you revoke the gps permissions for the apps you don't want to have that access.
The problem is that this may cause the apps to force close if they can't get that access.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that sucks.
Not that I have to be rooted (I will eventually) but that it may cause the app to force close. That doesn't seem like an elegant solution.
I don't want to be visible (via location) to apps such as FaceBook etc.
I wonder if there is an opportunity for a developer to make some money providing this type of functionality. I may have to look at this to see how easy it is (or if even possible) to implement something like this.
Thank you for the response!

kapolani said:
Well that sucks.
Not that I have to be rooted (I will eventually) but that it may cause the app to force close. That doesn't seem like an elegant solution.
I don't want to be visible (via location) to apps such as FaceBook etc.
I wonder if there is an opportunity for a developer to make some money providing this type of functionality. I may have to look at this to see how easy it is (or if even possible) to implement something like this.
Thank you for the response!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, per-app settings for location would be awesome for apps that don't explicitly offer an "off switch".
We can only hope this becomes a stock feature in the future...

Help With Security Solution

I want to be able to granularly set the permissions for each app. From what I understand my options are:
Cyanogenmod - except CM10 for SGS2 is missing this at this time
Pdroid for GB
Pdroid 2.0 - running CM10 only
LBE (from China)
I have had Pdroid 2.0 running on CM10 for a few weeks but CM10 isn't stable - just had it auto-reboot in the middle of a call. Does anybody have any other ideas / suggestions?
On a related note - I'm wondering why it seems that most people aren't bothered with apps monitoring their use and even more important archiving all the data compiled on them?? The only thing that I can think of is that most cell phone / XDA users are really young and just don't know any better??? Didn't they pay any attention in history class?? What am I missing here?

Mrktmind said:
On a related note - I'm wondering why it seems that most people aren't bothered with apps monitoring their use and even more important archiving all the data compiled on them?? The only thing that I can think of is that most cell phone / XDA users are really young and just don't know any better??? Didn't they pay any attention in history class?? What am I missing here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because phone security is generally easy to manage. Most apps make a good name for themselves. And many people check the security of an app as soon as it were to hit the Play Store. It doesn't mean we are young it means that we aren't dumb and know how modern technology works.

hrffd said:
Because phone security is generally easy to manage. Most apps make a good name for themselves. And many people check the security of an app as soon as it were to hit the Play Store. It doesn't mean we are young it means that we aren't dumb and know how modern technology works.[/QUOTE
I highly doubt that anyone on XDA, regardless of age, is dumb. I do believe, however, that there are quite a few younger members who could be a bit naive due to a lack of experience. Younger folks tend to take most things at face value. Just because something is free monetarily doesn't mean it isn't costing you something. Just because an app is on Play Store doesn't mean it is "secure" - especially since the Play Store (as well as Android, Google, et.al.) operate on the same business model as the apps!
Just a random example - Why would Angry Birds need my Sim Card Serial number to operate properly? Why would it need to know the phone numbers of all my incoming calls? Answer - it doesn't - in fact it doesn't need ANY of the permissions it asks for to operate properly. So why does it ask for these permissions? Answer - it is data mining your phone.
Ok, so I think most XDA members are aware of WHAT these apps are doing. My original question is WHY don't more people seem to care?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Mrktmind said:
I want to be able to granularly set the permissions for each app. From what I understand my options are:
Cyanogenmod - except CM10 for SGS2 is missing this at this time
Pdroid for GB
Pdroid 2.0 - running CM10 only
LMB (from China)
I have had Pdroid 2.0 running on CM10 for a few weeks but CM10 isn't stable - just had it auto-reboot in the middle of a call. Does anybody have any other ideas / suggestions?
On a related note - I'm wondering why it seems that most people aren't bothered with apps monitoring their use and even more important archiving all the data compiled on them?? The only thing that I can think of is that most cell phone / XDA users are really young and just don't know any better??? Didn't they pay any attention in history class?? What am I missing here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe MIUI is also a viable option for this, no? You can set app permission on a "per-app" basis with MIUI security I believe.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

I tried this app a while back and it basically does what you want but it got annoying https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lbe.security.lite
I don't use these because I am very selective about what goes on my phone.

Thanks Luke!
Not very familiar with MIUI ROM's will have to look into them.

someguyatx said:
I tried this app a while back and it basically does what you want but it got annoying https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lbe.security.lite
I don't use these because I am very selective about what goes on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is the app I listed above - just had the initials wrong! :silly: It is a lot like pdroid but, like you, it scares me.

I have my own small business and run most of it from my phone, in the beginning I used the standard flip phone then graduated on to a touch pro 2 with Windows Mobile 6.5 as I began to accumulate massive amounts of data on my Windows Mobile phone, for some reason I still felt secure in the applications like ActiveSync that I was in control of my data.... A year ago last October I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy s2.. this was my first real experience with Google's Android operating system. in the first few minutes of using the new phone I could see how deeply the hooks were being placed to data mine my information. I resisted at first but then came to realize if I wanted all the bells and whistles Google was offering I had to play the game... I use the security program mentioned above... maybe they should have an app were you sign a consent of exactly which data you would like to keep on your phone and not share with other people. then when you visit the play store apps that request more of your private data than you're willing to share won't show up? I would like to have an open sourced built firewall that monitors traffic, letting me choose the permissions per app as I see fit.

Mrktmind said:
Thanks Luke!
Not very familiar with MIUI ROM's will have to look into them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've ran both Adhvanlt's and Lens's JB MIUI Roms, and they're both amazing! The standard MIUI launcher feels a bit like the iphone, and there is no app drawer, but that's easily fixed by downloading [insert favorite launcher here] if you don't care for it. There's hundreds of options for customization. They are literally the most customizable ROMs you'll ever run; All of this on top of the fact that it has the security features I believe you are after baked right in to it.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

Looked at two MIUI ROM's for the E4GT. Both of them have issues with Google Voice. I need Google Voice.
I am also going to try +AF (Droidwall fork) firewall tonight to see if it will work on FK23. It apparently has issues with some ICS/JB ROM's. That will at least give some protection from apps that don't need network access at all. But for apps that need network access to do their intended job it's useless. Just read last night that the developer has added profiles to +AF - that should be really cool.
I guess I'm spoiled a bit with Pdroid - it works so well and is very detailed.
Thanks for all the replies! Other suggestions, ideas, thoughts, opinions welcomed!

Mrktmind said:
I want to be able to granularly set the permissions for each app. From what I understand my options are:
Cyanogenmod - except CM10 for SGS2 is missing this at this time
Pdroid for GB
Pdroid 2.0 - running CM10 only
LBE (from China)
I have had Pdroid 2.0 running on CM10 for a few weeks but CM10 isn't stable - just had it auto-reboot in the middle of a call. Does anybody have any other ideas / suggestions?
On a related note - I'm wondering why it seems that most people aren't bothered with apps monitoring their use and even more important archiving all the data compiled on them?? The only thing that I can think of is that most cell phone / XDA users are really young and just don't know any better??? Didn't they pay any attention in history class?? What am I missing here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As an app developer, I can tell you that there are some shady apps, but if you download from good devs, the permissions are *usually* necessary. Here's some examples that people question the most:
Access to contacts... Assuming it's not a contact or sms app, if any app has a "share" feature needs this permission.
Access to sd card... Any app that saves anything or lets you change a background needs this.
Read phone state... So the app can properly call the "onpause" method when a call comes in.
Access to location... Assuming it's not a location app or game like ingress or zombies!Run!, you'll typically see this on free apps that have ads. Ads allow developers to get paid for their work while keeping the app free. They don't have access to the ad data, though. They just put in the api and the ad company handles the rest.
On top of that, large organizations will seek phone specific permissions like sim card numbers for analytics.
Google makes most of its money from ads, so it reads your usage to better target ads. Google also uses location data to improve location services like maps.
If you're worried about security, don't download a random app that only has 100+ downloads. If an app has 50000+ downloads, you can rest assured that it's already been vetted.
Also if you're downloading pirated apps, you're just a moron who is opening up his world to who knows who. Many (not all) pirated apps have added data mining code.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

[APP] Multi-User App Share

I have created an app that will help share apps across users on google's new 4.2 multi user feature.
Thanks to mentose457 and unwired for giving me the idea.
see this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1994169)
It works by removing package elements from user's package-restriction.xml file to add the app and adding the package element back to remove the app. (located at \data\system\users\10\package-restrictions.xml where 10 is the user's id)
This is quickly thrown together and will likely have a ton of bugs, but I wanted to go ahead and get it out there for testing.
- This is BETA
-You must have ROOT
- This changes system data on non documented files it could screw something up.
- I'm not responsible for any problems this causes or lost data or bricked or broken devices
- please use cation
- it is currently built to run on main user to enable or disable apps on secondary users (once root is fully working on secondary users I will see about making it run correctly on secondary user's account)
- not tested thoroughly with paid apps*
- does not currently support system apps**
- due to the way I pull the app list from the package manager some installed apps may not show as available to add/remove
- apps installed first on a secondary user's profile will probably not show in the list to add/remove
*paid apps seemed to work but I did not have internet access during testing. My theory is that any paid apps that use Google's license verification will not work or not work for long. So adding your Google Account to the secondary user's play store is probably still the best way to share paid apps.
**The entries in the xml for system apps is different. Therefore I will have to research them more before getting it to work or deciding not to mess with those apps. Currently some will show not installed on other users even though they are and removing/adding them will not work correctly.
------> DOWNLOAD HERE https://play.google.com/store/apps/...tm_medium=forum&utm_campaign=app_announcement
I'd love to get feedback to what is working and what is not. Also if anybody figures out anything more about the package-restriction.xml file I'd love to hear it. Especially when it comes to system apps.

Thanks mate added my sons Google account and it is all running perfectly. Seperate saves and account details for apps and allowing me to share my paid ones with him
First review on play store is up.
Will have a mess around with apps and report back but it appears to be running sweet at the moment
Cheers danny...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I wanted to chime in as well. It is working on AOKP. Thanks again jeepguy04.

Looks like it's working for me too :thumbup:

Strange, I'm rooted. Using root apps such as cache mate, titanium & sixaxis.
Multi user app enabler says not rooted.
So does root checker??

DeadlyDazza said:
Strange, I'm rooted. Using root apps such as cache mate, titanium & sixaxis.
Multi user app enabler says not rooted.
So does root checker??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the first 'owner' account I'm rooted, but the second user account doesn't recognize root in apps shared through multi user app.

rkuijpers said:
On the first 'owner' account I'm rooted, but the second user account doesn't recognize root in apps shared through multi user app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a known issue (if you want to call it that). For me it's not a problem as my second user is a guest just like on my computer.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

mentose457 said:
That is a known issue (if you want to call it that). For me it's not a problem as my second user is a guest just like on my computer.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, that's why I quoted the user I meant to answer
It wasn't meant as a negative comment, as I think this app is very useful.

I tried this with ten games and all worked fine (free and paid) except Retro Racing. It works with primary user but crashes with secondary user.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mrqwak.retroracing

Do you think it is possible to have a shared folder for fotos and musik for multiple users?

some one post the apk my devices are not compatible lol

Great idea! My solution involves just buying everyone their own tablets.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium HD app

player911 said:
My solution involves just buying everyone their own tablets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... Fail

Does it works on nexus10 ?

agabe said:
Does it works on nexus10 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should work on any tablet running 4.2 (or phone if your custom rom enables the multiple user profiles)
joeyman08 said:
some one post the apk my devices are not compatible lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently I only have it available in the market to tablets to avoid confusion for people wondering why it doesn't work with their phone. Maybe I will change that since only nexus devices or phones with custom roms are running 4.2. Those users tend to be a little smarter and know if their phone has multiple user profiles or not.
Here is a link to the apk for anybody that can't see it in the market.
bergfex said:
Do you think it is possible to have a shared folder for fotos and musik for multiple users?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The shared folder idea is interesting but beyond the scope of this app. Probably could do it with symlinks or something (not very knowledgeable in linux). Maybe I will look into it and either make another app or find a way to make it fit in with this app.

Yes. Symlinking the photos/music folders outside /data/ should work. But I don't have a 4.2 device(nor willing to set up an emulator) so I'm unsure.

Looking forward to trying on my p5113 CM 10.1
jeepguy04 said:
I have created an app that will help share apps across users on google's new 4.2 multi user feature.
Thanks to mentose457 and unwired for giving me the idea.
see this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1994169)
It works by removing package elements from user's package-restriction.xml file to add the app and adding the package element back to remove the app. (located at \data\system\users\10\package-restrictions.xml where 10 is the user's id)
This is quickly thrown together and will likely have a ton of bugs, but I wanted to go ahead and get it out there for testing.
- This is BETA
-You must have ROOT
- This changes system data on non documented files it could screw something up.
- I'm not responsible for any problems this causes or lost data or bricked or broken devices
- please use cation
- it is currently built to run on main user to enable or disable apps on secondary users (once root is fully working on secondary users I will see about making it run correctly on secondary user's account)
- not tested thoroughly with paid apps*
- does not currently support system apps**
- due to the way I pull the app list from the package manager some installed apps may not show as available to add/remove
- apps installed first on a secondary user's profile will probably not show in the list to add/remove
*paid apps seemed to work but I did not have internet access during testing. My theory is that any paid apps that use Google's license verification will not work or not work for long. So adding your Google Account to the secondary user's play store is probably still the best way to share paid apps.
**The entries in the xml for system apps is different. Therefore I will have to research them more before getting it to work or deciding not to mess with those apps. Currently some will show not installed on other users even though they are and removing/adding them will not work correctly.
------> DOWNLOAD HERE https://play.google.com/store/apps/...tm_medium=forum&utm_campaign=app_announcement
I'd love to get feedback to what is working and what is not. Also if anybody figures out anything more about the package-restriction.xml file I'd love to hear it. Especially when it comes to system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to see this is available
Thanks:good:

Why the full network access and google play billing service permissions?

excarnate said:
Why the full network access and google play billing service permissions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play billing service is for accepting donations via in app purchase. Under settings anybody can donate if they feel the app has value to them... so far I've gotten two $1 donations...lol
network access is for connecting to internet for ads and also for ACRA (Application Crash Report for Android) it basically sends error reports to me to help fix errors. It can be disabled under settings if you do not want it reporting errors.

Does not populate menu on my Nexus 7.

[Q] Custom notifications per app (root)?

I am posting here because I own this particular device, in case any solutions posted are specific to the phone.
What I am looking for is an app that is capable of making different kinds of notifications depending on the app that issues them. Now, I am already aware that apps like GMail and Handcent have their own internal options for notifications, but other apps like CNN and so on have no such option. What I am aiming for is an app that will intercept the notifications sent by other apps and, guided by rules, play particular sounds and so on, such as when the Play Store finishes installing a new app (I already have the means to make custom notification sounds accessible to the system).
I have heard of the app NotifierPro, but it uses the Accessibility API to do its work, which means it can run afoul of the TTS API, and it's aware of it. This makes me leery of paying for the upgrade needed to allow per-app custom notifications.
I'm wondering if there is a more elegant solution available for users like myself who have rooted their phones and can therefore dig a little deeper into the Android system. I have already done some considerable searching both here and through Google without finding a hit, but I wanted to know if anyone here has found a solution that isn't well-discussed.

Inexplicable autonomous app update behavior when plugged in & wifi on. A real puzzle.

Inexplicable autonomous app update behavior when plugged in & wifi on. A real puzzle.
Facts:
1) Two phones, Pixel 3 and 3 XL, latest patches. Both rooted, running ElementalX and Magisk. Both have same apps installed and settings.
2) Playstore "Auto-update" is disabled, set to "Don't auto-update apps".
3) Play Protect is fully disabled.
4) TiBu has no scheduled jobs
5) No threat/system scanner running
Behavior background:
1) Started noticing a few months ago (so not a patch update issue).
2) Happens only when phone is charging and wifi on (I have wifi set to turn on when plugged in, I have not isolated whether it is caused by one or the other, or both).
3) Seems to happen around/between 10:20 PM and 11:20 PM PST, based on file timestamp.
4) Does not happen every night. I charge the phone (therefore wifi turns on during charge) every night). I have not been able to find a pattern.
The strange behavior I cannot explain:
1) When it happens, a few (can be 1, 2, or 5) apps are found to have been updated on their own.
2) However, these apps are not shown updated in the Playstore and their version remained the same.
3) When I go to data/app, these apps look like they are updated based on time/date stamp (from the night before).
4) However, their version number has not changed, Playstore does not show a recent update.
5) It does not matter when the app was last truly updated or installed. Even disabled app will get this "ghost re-install/update". Apps seem to be picked randomly.
In sum, I find a few apps that get randomly self-updated, but they were really not updated. The version has changed and Playstore does not know anything about it (not on update list). Also, version has not changed. In fact, though, their timestamp show that it was updated.
Here is the kicker--I see the behavior in both phones. AND, they are the same (at least about the same list of) apps that get the "ghost update". If I don't plug in one phone to charge (and wifi not on), that phone does not get the update until the next time it is plugged in.
W-T-F???

What are the apps? Is it always the same ones?

Seemingly random apps, both user-installed and system (e.g., Chrome, Data Transfer Tool). I have not been able to detect a pattern on which app gets this ghost update. I started noticing this late December, best guess.

I almost don't want to even bring this issue back up since I haven't noticed it in a couple of months. I was noticing it a lot on all 6 of my devices (including Pixel 3XL and Pixel 3) because I would go to Titanium Backup and see apps showing as due for backup of a new version. Nothing showed in Play Store, and the App description on Play showed the same version as before with the old last updated date. Either they have fixed it or hidden it better, but it seamed to be some sort of security patch at an app level. Here are a couple of old threads including my Google thread and a couple of reddit threads. I still have an open support case on it, but since it stopped happening and different folks at Google kept ignoring my replies to the man suggesting stupid-a$$ things (like factory resetting my devices and signing off and on with a new user on different devices) I just dropped it.
P.S. I never did notice the plugged in thing, but that is not to say it wasn't happening. I was asleep when it happened as far as I know.
https://productforums.google.com/fo...rce=footer#!msg/play/Pgzokc69Qt8/9V1n27ONBwAJ
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/co...lently_updating_some_apps_even_when/?sort=new
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/co...lently_updating_some_apps_even_when/?sort=new

Found this, too, but it's from 2013: https://arstechnica.com/information...ng-android-apps-possibly-including-facebooks/

sliding_billy said:
I almost don't want to even bring this issue back up since I haven't noticed it in a couple of months. I was noticing it a lot on all 6 of my devices (including Pixel 3XL and Pixel 3) because I would go to Titanium Backup and see apps showing as due for backup of a new version. Nothing showed in Play Store, and the App description on Play showed the same version as before with the old last updated date. Either they have fixed it or hidden it better, but it seamed to be some sort of security patch at an app level. Here are a couple of old threads including my Google thread and a couple of reddit threads. I still have an open support case on it, but since it stopped happening and different folks at Google kept ignoring my replies to the man suggesting stupid-a$$ things (like factory resetting my devices and signing off and on with a new user on different devices) I just dropped it.
P.S. I never did notice the plugged in thing, but that is not to say it wasn't happening. I was asleep when it happened as far as I know.
https://productforums.google.com/fo...rce=footer#!msg/play/Pgzokc69Qt8/9V1n27ONBwAJ
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/co...lently_updating_some_apps_even_when/?sort=new
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/co...lently_updating_some_apps_even_when/?sort=new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fury683 said:
Found this, too, but it's from 2013: https://arstechnica.com/information...ng-android-apps-possibly-including-facebooks/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for the links. This is exactly what I am seeing. One of the posts in the link described the install as exact same apk and version. It is also what I see. It still does not explain what is going on behind the scenes, but at least it is good to know that I am not the only one seeing this. For most people, they are not aware. I see it because I use a backup app for newly installed apps. As such, everytime an app installed or updated, I get a notification.

snovvman said:
Many thanks for the links. This is exactly what I am seeing. One of the posts in the link described the install as exact same apk and version. It is also what I see. It still does not explain what is going on behind the scenes, but at least it is good to know that I am not the only one seeing this. For most people, they are not aware. I see it because I use a backup app for newly installed apps. As such, everytime an app installed or updated, I get a notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. I do wonder if your devices are new. As I mentioned, I have not seen this behavior in months on any of my devices. I do think it was an in place Google side security patch to the actual app installer or something that they can control from Play without modifying the app code itself, and if yours have not been modified yet it will catch up when it finishes all of the apps that need it.

sliding_billy said:
No problem. I do wonder if your devices are new. As I mentioned, I have not seen this behavior in months on any of my devices. I do think it was an in place Google side security patch to the actual app installer or something that they can control from Play without modifying the app code itself, and if yours have not been modified yet it will catch up when it finishes all of the apps that need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of my devices were pre-order (from last year) and were activated as soon as I received them. Some of the newer apps that were updated this way were newer, like Pixel Tips and Data Transfer Tool. Apps like SmartThings, Lutron, and Pushover were recently updated normally through Playstore, but they were ghost updated a few days ago. If the theory were true, on these basis, it is unclear why Google would need to/want to update/re-update the apps this way.

snovvman said:
Both of my devices were pre-order (from last year) and were activated as soon as I received them. Some of the newer apps that were updated this way were newer, like Pixel Tips and Data Transfer Tool. Apps like SmartThings, Lutron, and Pushover were recently updated normally through Playstore, but they were ghost updated a few days ago. If the theory were true, on these basis, it is unclear why Google would need to/want to update/re-update the apps this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the fact that your devices are a hair older than mine (I got my 3XL and 3 very shortly after public release) does quash that argument. The one thing I can think of that is still different is the detection method each of us has used. TB has been updated a few times in the past couple of months to start, and even if not Google could still be making changes that are not seen by TB. What backup app/notification process are you using?

Are these all Google apps or services? Many of them update outside of the app store on their own.

TonikJDK said:
Are these all Google apps or services? Many of them update outside of the app store on their own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it has happened to plenty of 3rd party apps both root apps and not.

sliding_billy said:
Well the fact that your devices are a hair older than mine (I got my 3XL and 3 very shortly after public release) does quash that argument. The one thing I can think of that is still different is the detection method each of us has used. TB has been updated a few times in the past couple of months to start, and even if not Google could still be making changes that are not seen by TB. What backup app/notification process are you using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two apps I use that tells me when an app was installed/updated:
App Monster Pro ** "old version" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.think_android.apps.appmonster.cloud
The current PS version, based on reviews, does not do what the old version does. The old version, which I continue to use, and works well, will make a backup of the installed apk any time an app is updated or installed. I can decide the number of revisions to keep. This allows me to roll back if I need to. The most helpful part, as it turns out, is knowing when an app is updated--even Playstore or other non-Playstore-installed apps will spawn a notification. The backup is in a plain apk, which makes it easy to transport and share.
The other tool is My Android Tools Pro -- https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/guide-android-toolspro-one-fav-apps-t3262150
This app allows me to cut off broadcast receivers, disable services, manifest apk activities and content providers. It also includes a logcat viewer, process explorers, and more. Root is required. This app refined over time but was taken off of the Playstore. It does not appear to be maintained anymore, but still works well. I sort the app list based on newly installed apps and it clearly shows me what was truly and recently installed. I use the app to cut off broadcast receivers and services that relate to app measurement, install referrer, etc. For some apps, I cut off the startup receiver. They help to keep occasionally used apps from launching needlessly. Other may have opinions, but these methods work well for me.
Lastly, I used Root Explorer to verify the app install dates (per post 1).
TonikJDK said:
Are these all Google apps or services? Many of them update outside of the app store on their own.
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Adding to post #3, they are both Google and 3rd-party apps. The publisher of the app does not appear to matter.

snovvman said:
Two apps I use that tells me when an app was installed/updated:
App Monster Pro ** "old version" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.think_android.apps.appmonster.cloud
The current PS version, based on reviews, does not do what the old version does. The old version, which I continue to use, and works well, will make a backup of the installed apk any time an app is updated or installed. I can decide the number of revisions to keep. This allows me to roll back if I need to. The most helpful part, as it turns out, is knowing when an app is updated--even Playstore or other non-Playstore-installed apps will spawn a notification. The backup is in a plain apk, which makes it easy to transport and share.
The other tool is My Android Tools Pro -- https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/guide-android-toolspro-one-fav-apps-t3262150
This app allows me to cut off broadcast receivers, disable services, manifest apk activities and content providers. It also includes a logcat viewer, process explorers, and more. Root is required. This app refined over time but was taken off of the Playstore. It does not appear to be maintained anymore, but still works well. I sort the app list based on newly installed apps and it clearly shows me what was truly and recently installed. I use the app to cut off broadcast receivers and services that relate to app measurement, install referrer, etc. For some apps, I cut off the startup receiver. They help to keep occasionally used apps from launching needlessly. Other may have opinions, but these methods work well for me.
Lastly, I used Root Explorer to verify the app install dates (per post 1).
Adding to post #3, they are both Google and 3rd-party apps. The publisher of the app does not appear to matter.
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Starting to look more and more like Google is still making changes in the background but it is not being detected by any current backup apps. Since the two you were using have either been deprecated or abandoned, it's hard to say if Google has actually changed what was being updated or just the possibility of detection. Short of someone getting into the app code for a hard comparison between pre/post versions (beyond my skill set for sure), my guess is this is going to go unanswered since Google is clearly still making changes but not releasing the "why" or "what."

sliding_billy said:
Starting to look more and more like Google is still making changes in the background but it is not being detected by any current backup apps. Since the two you were using have either been deprecated or abandoned, it's hard to say if Google has actually changed what was being updated or just the possibility of detection. Short of someone getting into the app code for a hard comparison between pre/post versions (beyond my skill set for sure), my guess is this is going to go unanswered since Google is clearly still making changes but not releasing the "why" or "what."
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I agree. What I can say with certainty is that those apps were at least "reinstalled" because of the folder/file dates. Also, my two phones are seeing the same apps being updated. This suggests that there are some logic behind it.

snovvman said:
I agree. What I can say with certainty is that those apps were at least "reinstalled" because of the folder/file dates. Also, my two phones are seeing the same apps being updated. This suggests that there are some logic behind it.
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Yeah, the "updates" my not have happened at the same time (or even the same day) but eventually the apps that are shared on various devices would end up modified for me as well.

FSTRIM?
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

pkelly517 said:
FSTRIM?
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
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I am not using the FSTRIM app, and the fact that eventually all of the same apps (6 devices on various Android versions) would end up getting updated but not all apps makes it unlikely that native trimming is causing it.