Maximizing privacy on Android without custom ROMs? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 months ago by TheTwelveYearOld@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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I've had a Galaxy S22+ for 2 years and still want to use it. When I look up how to maximize privacy on Android, many results say to install custom ROMs which I can't since its a US model and the bootloader is locked. I just want to minimize tracking and sharing of personal information. I could use a firewall app like RethinkDNS to block trackers, but could I completely block tracking from Google and Samsung? Are there any lists of packages to uninstall to improve privacy? (I've used ADB to remove a bunch of bloatware. Ex: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.arzone)

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[-] refalo@programming.dev 1 points 2 months ago

I thought you needed root for app-level firewalls?

[-] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Straight from their site.

NetGuard provides simple and advanced ways to block access to the internet - no root required. Applications and addresses can individually be allowed or denied access to your Wi-Fi and/or mobile connection.

Blocking access to the internet can help:

reduce your data usage save your battery increase your privacy

Edit: Uses the same slot as VPN on a phone. Thus you have one or the other. Not both. PC is different.

[-] refalo@programming.dev 1 points 2 months ago

Unfortunately I cannot use a VPN because several apps I use (including android auto) do not work with it.

[-] merde@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago

in netGuard you can create exceptions for apps that "do not work with" a vpn

[-] refalo@programming.dev 1 points 2 months ago

how on earth does that work? I thought it had to have an always-on VPN connection to do any filtering (or not)

[-] merde@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago

it's an "always-on vpn connection". NetGuard passes through the apps in the exception list unfiltered

[-] refalo@programming.dev 1 points 2 months ago

exactly... it needs the vpn to even pass anything through... but the apps that don't work with vpns... don't work with vpns. as in, it detects the presence of an android vpn connection and refuses to work, it's not related to what internet connection it actually uses, just that a system-controlled vpn is active on the device.

[-] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 0 points 2 months ago

Then perhaps this could be a way for you to lockdown internet traffic to and from your device. Major privacy improvement.

[-] refalo@programming.dev 1 points 2 months ago

I don't understand how if this requires a VPN which I can't use?

this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2024

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