[FruitBerries]

Hi,
I have noticed that on most of the Android app under BB10 OS, you can't change the Application Permissions and deactivate them, for instance.

Is it due to the Android runtime environement, or is it that most android apps do not allow these settings?
Is there a way to change that?


It first struck me with WhatsApp, when I was trying to install it and juggling between the BB and the Andrd version. One was editable and the other not at all! But WhatsApp is not the problem anymore I guess... But there are still some other interesting apps only under Android, and it is not as if BB10 interests a lot of developers anymore

[tsac]

Your last line is the answer.

"and it is not as if BB10 interests a lot of developers anymore"

Reality is Google has locked many of the Android permissions but also has an app that will allow management of permissions.
the Link below may offer help and the App OPS application is able to be loaded on a blackberry.

Good luck



https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...a.appops&hl=en

[FruitBerries]

Hello, thanksfor your answer.
Does AppOps run under BB10's Android runtime, which is 4.3 I think?

Someone told me about an other solution, using "permissions app built into Cobalt's Google settings", have you already heard about that?

[tsac]

The information available does indicate the AppOps will work but you can try it on your phone.
I generally do not use many Android apps because of low security and limited control as you found. Google loads all kinds of ads and other things on their apps and most users don't realize what they are monitoring.
I do think having full control of any app on the phone is a necessity.

[FruitBerries]

Hi, thank you for the link.

The information available does indicate the AppOps will work but you can try it on your phone.

But it says: "Support Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat and Oreo", and also:
"Requires Android 5.0 and up".
I'm confused. Android runtime is version 4.3, which is Jelly Bean...

I do think having full control of any app on the phone is a necessity.

I agree, I think it is basic freedom of use.

[tsac]

I agree control is necessary and the phone manufacturers are moving to control virtually every inch of the phone. Sadly many people do not realize the apps and other items on the new phones do nothing except harvest information for marketing purposes. Some people even think the pop up ads and news items are great. the GPS on some ( I-Phone and others ) that tracks them even if they think it's off allows for targeted adds.
Ever see an ad pop up after talking about something?
Ever wonder why ?

[FruitBerries]

Waow! never happened to me, but using so called smart phones is new for me.
But I know that we are generating a lot of datas, thus, in a sense, we are the product to be sold.
I found several links to download App Ops, the version for Android 4.3 is 1.9.1.
(can't display links for the moment)

There is also a developer called Cobalt who made an adaptation of the Google Play Store for BB10, the Play Store, and which offers apps' permission modifications through Google Play Services.

[tsac]

Good Luck and be sure to read all the instructions to insure you don't loose any data.

[FruitBerries]

Thank you Tsac for all these answers.
I'd like to start a new thread about monitoring processes running in the background.

Originally Posted by tsac

...
I generally do not use many Android apps because of low security and limited control as you found. Google loads all kinds of ads and other things on their apps and most users don't realize what they are monitoring.
I do think having full control of any app on the phone is a necessity.

I have the feeling that my battery has to be recharged more often. I wonder If there are some undesirable tasks running in the background.
Do you know any monitoring tool?

[tsac]

the only issue I can see with a monitoring app is it will also be running.
Problems with LI batteries are known. If you allow the phone to discharge below about 30 to 25 % the recovery is generally not to 100%. The battery will show 100% but I reality it is not at 100%. It looses ability to fully recharge and eventually will need replacement.

[FruitBerries]

Hi, I think App Ops is not working properly plus I can't make calls neither receive ones with the native BB10 phone app anymore! I don't know if something happened in my pocket or if it is due to some clumsy manipulation.
I also think I should uninstall it before upgrading my OS10.3.3.1435 to 10.3.3.2137...
Don't know if it makes an ugrade of the Android runtime... will have to check that.

[tsac]

Reading info on App Ops shows it support Android 5.0 As with other applications that are dependent on Android levels it may be they no longer support the version that will run on a Classic blackberry.

[tsac]

Google controls virtually all Android applications that run on a cell phone. If the phone does not meet their android version level the application will fail to work. Google also will not allow downloads via Google play store to any phone that does not have a version of Android they want.
Can you say "control for marketing purposes" ?

[FruitBerries]

Okay tsac, didn't know, thanks.
The App Ops version I had installed was 1.9.x, compatible with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
The last OS update doesn't change the Android runtime version.

[tsac]

And that's the issue with blackberry older phones. Unless the android version is updated we will eventually loose most of the apps once they are updated and attempts are made to update them. I have two that require updating and Google will not allow access to the app site.