Owners Samsung Galaxy A12 often wonder how to protect their device from potential wiretapping. This model, released in 2020, runs on Android 10/11 (depending on the firmware) and has built-in tools for controlling access to the microphone. However, standard security settings may not be enough if you suspect a targeted intrusion or use the device for confidential conversations.

The problem of wiretapping on Android devices is usually associated with three factors: malware, system vulnerabilities or abuse of application permissions. In this article we will examine blocking methods unique to the Samsung A12 microphoneincluding hidden settings One UI, third-party utilities and hardware solutions. It is important to understand that complete isolation of the microphone is impossible without physical disconnection, but the combination of the proposed methods will reduce the risks to a minimum.

1. Checking application permissions to access the microphone

The first step is to audit all installed apps that theoretically can use the microphone. On Samsung Galaxy A12 this is done through the menu Settings → Applications. There is a nuance here: the system shows only those applications that explicitly requested access to the microphone. Hidden services (for example, system or pre-installed ones) may go unnoticed.

To see the full list:

  1. Open Settings → Privacy → Manager permissions.
  2. Select Microphone.
  3. View all applications with active access. Pay special attention to instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks (Facebook, TikTok) and little-known utilities.
  • 🔍 Suspicious signs: applications with microphone access that you do not use for voice functions (for example, flashlight or calculator).
  • 🛡️ Action: turn off the permission for all unnecessary apps. For critical ones (for example, Google Assistant), set a limit. Only during use.
  • ⚠️ Exception: system processes like com.samsung.android.app.telephonyui (call interface) cannot be disabled - this will lead to failures.
💡

If you see in the list an application with a name in Chinese or a random set of letters (for example, "com.xyz.abc123") - this is a sure sign of malware. Uninstall it immediately and scan your device with an antivirus.

2. Using the "Microphone blocking" mode in One UI

Samsung Galaxy A12 based on One UI 3.1+ has a hidden function to temporarily block the microphone for all applications except system calls. This option is called Microphone is muted and is located in the quick settings panel. However, by default it is disabled.

To. activate:

  1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel.
  2. Click on the ⚙️ (gear) icon in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Order buttons.
  4. Find it in the list Microphone is turned off and drag it to the active area.

Now, when you swipe down, you will see a new button After activation:

  • ✅ All applications (except phone ones). calls) will lose access to the microphone.
  • ❌ Voice search (Google Assistant, Bixby) will stop working.
  • 🔄 The function is reset after rebooting the device.
📊 You Have you ever suspected your device of being wiretapped?
Yes, more than once
Yes, but I wasn’t sure
No, but I’m worried
No, I’m not interested

3. Disabling voice assistants and system assistants. services

Voice assistants (Google. Assistant, Bixbyby default have constant access to the microphone to recognize commands. Even if you do not use them, they can be activated accidentally or by an external command. On Samsung A12 these services can be disabled completely or their functionality limited.

For Google Assistant:

  1. Go to Settings → Google → Devices and sharing → Google Assistant settings.
  2. Select Assistant → Phone.
  3. Disable options Hey Google and Voice input.

For Bixby:

  1. Open Settings → Additional features → Bixby.
  2. Disable Voice wake-up and Bixby Voice.
  3. For complete uninstall: Settings → Applications → Bixby → Delete (if available).
⚠️ Attention: Disabling Bixby on some firmware Samsung A12 may lead to operational errors system notifications. If after deactivation there are problems, return the settings back and use alternative methods of blocking the microphone.

Google Assistant is disabled|Bixby is disabled|Unnecessary voice commands have been removed|Privacy settings in your Google account have been checked-->

4 Installation. specialized applications for blocking the microphone

If standard tools One UI are not enough, you can use third-party utilities. They are divided into two types:

  1. Permission blockers - completely disable access to the microphone for selected applications (for example, App Ops, Bouncer).
  2. Fake data — replace the real sound from the microphone with white noise or silence (for example, Microphone Blocker).

For Samsung Galaxy A12 we recommend:

Application Functional Root required? Link (Play Market)
App Ops Deep permission control, including microphone No Available via upon request
Bouncer Temporarily disabling permissions after closing the application No Available upon request
Microphone Blocker Replacing the sound from the microphone with silence Yes Available on request
NetGuard Blocking audio data transmission over the network No Available on request

Important: applications without root access have limitations. For example, they will not be able to block system processes or applications with administrator rights. For full control, you will need unlocking the bootloader installation of custom firmware, which voids the warranty and increases the risk of the device being bricked.

What is root access and why is it dangerous?

Root access (superuser) allows you to change Android system files, but also opens the door to malware. Getting root will lead to: Samsung A12 becoming root will result in:

- Loss of warranty (even if Later returns everything). back).

- Impossibility of updating over the air (OTA).

- Risk of damage to the firmware in case of an error.

- Vulnerabilities for attacks through system loopholes.

For most tasks of blocking a microphone, root is not needed - standard tools and applications will suffice without superuser rights.

5. Hardware methods: physically disconnecting the microphone

If software methods do not inspire confidence, there are physical disconnection. microphone. On Samsung Galaxy A12 there are three of them:

  • 🎤 Main microphone —located at the bottom of the device (next to the USB-C connector).
  • 📞 Second microphone —at the top (used for noise reduction during calls).
  • 🔊 Additional microphone —in the main camera module (for video recording).

To turn them off:

  1. Partial disconnection: cover the microphone holes with tape or a special sticker. This will block the acoustic waves, but will not turn off the electrical circuit (the microphone will only “hear” background noise).
  2. Full shutdown: disassemble the device and unsolder the microphone pins from the motherboard. Requires soldering skills and risks damaging other components.
⚠️ Attention: Physical tampering will void the warranty Samsung and may cause permanent damage. If you are not confident in your skills, contact the service center with a request to turn off the microphones “to test the equipment” - some masters will meet halfway without an official recording.

An alternative option is to use external Bluetooth headset with a physical microphone switch. In this case, the built-in microphones Samsung A12 can be disabled programmatically, and only the headset can be used for calls.

6. Checking the device for spyware

If you suspect that wiretapping is being done through malware, you need to conduct a deep diagnosis. On Samsung Galaxy A12 this is done in several stages:

Step 1. Antivirus scanning

Use Dr.Web, Kaspersky Mobile or Malwarebytes to search for known threats. Pay special attention to: Applications with rights devices

  • 🕵️ Apps with permissions device administrator (checked in Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings → Device administrators).
  • 📦 APK files installed from unknown sources (enable the option Scan installed applications in the antivirus settings).

Step 2. Analyze network activity

Install NetGuard or PCAPdroid to monitor outgoing traffic. Signs of spyware:

  • 📡 Unknown IP addresses in the connection list (especially in China, the USA or Russia, if you are not located there).
  • 🔊 Data transfer in the background by applications that should not use the Internet (for example, camera or calculator).
  • 📊 High traffic consumption in standby mode (checked in Settings → Connections → Data usage).

Step 3. Checking for rooting

Some spyware requires root accessTo check its presence:

  1. Install the application Root Checker from the Play Market.
  2. Run the scan. If the result is positive, and you did not get root yourself, the device is compromised.

- Pegasus (targeted attacks on activists/journalists).

- Cerberus (masked as system updates).

- FakeApp (fake versions of popular instant messengers).

If the antivirus does not find anything, but suspicions remain, reset to factory settings (Settings → General management → Reset).-->

7. Alternative security measures

Even after turning off the microphone, other channels of data leakage remain. To fully protect Samsung Galaxy A12, follow additional steps:

  • 🔒 Device encryption: Settings → Biometrics and security → EncryptionProtects data at the file system level.
  • 🌐 Use VPN: ProtonVPN or IVPN hide your real IP and block metadata leakage.
  • 📵 Airplane mode: physically disables all wireless modules (Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth). Useful for confidential conversations.
  • 🔄 Regular updates: check the latest firmware Settings → Software update. Samsung releases security patches monthly.

For a paranoid level of protection:

  • 📱 Buy a second phone ("clean") only for calls - for example, Nokia 105 without Android.
  • 💾 Use Samsung A12 only through second Google account without reference to real data.
  • 🔗 Disable Contact synchronization and Backup in the account settings.
⚠️ Attention: Some "safety tips" on the Internet suggest disabling Google Play Services or delete Android System WebView. On Samsung A12 this will lead to a system crash - many applications will stop working. Instead, limit their permissions through App Ops.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about wiretapping on Samsung Galaxy A12

Can wiretapping work if the phone is turned off?

Theoretically, yes, but only if:

  • The device is not completely turned off, but is in mode soft-off (emulation shutdown).
  • Installed malware with access to low-level functions (for example, through an exploit in the bootloader).
  • Used hardware bookmark (built-in into the motherboard at the production stage). data-i="273">or a metal container).

In practice, such attacks are extremely rare and require targeted action. Enough for protection Physically remove the battery (on Samsung A12 it is not removable, so the alternative is to place the phone in Faraday cage or metal container).

How to check if my phone is tapped right now?

Quick ways:

  1. Call another phone and check for interference or echo - this may indicate a parallel connection.
  2. Use the application Access Dots (shows microphone/camera activity in real time).
  3. Look at microphone indicator in the status bar (on One UI it appears when recording audio).

For a deep check:

  • Install Termux and run the command:
dumpsys media.audio_flinger

If the output contains lines with recording: true and there are no active applications, the microphone is being used by someone else.

Is it possible to disable the microphone only for specific applications, without affecting system ones?

Yes, but with caveats:

  • Without root: use App Ops or Bouncer (see section 4). They allow you to disable the microphone for selected apps, but do not guarantee 100% blocking.
  • With root: application XPrivacyLua Gives full control over permissions, including system ones.

Limitation: some applications (for example, Zoom or Skype) may refuse to work without access to the microphone.

Does resetting to factory settings help? wiretapping?

Resetting deletes:

  • All user applications and data.
  • Permission settings (including microphone access).
  • Temporary spyware files.

But does not helpif:

  • Eavesdropping is carried out through vulnerability in the firmware (for example, an exploit in a modem).
  • Device infected bootkit (malicious code in the bootloader).
  • Used hardware bookmark (for example, in a modem chip).

After the reset:

  1. Do not restore data from the backup (it may contain malicious code).
  2. Install only the necessary applications from the official one Play Market.
  3. Update the firmware to the latest version.
Which Samsung models are less vulnerable to wiretapping?

From a security point of view, it is better to choose:

  • Flagship models (Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 4- they receive updates longer (4+ years) and have hardware protection (Samsung Knox).
  • Devices with pure Android (Google Pixel) - they receive patches faster security.
  • Phones without pre-installed software (for example, Galaxy XCover Pro) - fewer system loopholes.

For Galaxy A12 The risks are higher due to:

  • Budget processor (Exynos 850), which receives patches less often.
  • Pre-installed applications Samsung/Bixbythat are difficult to remove.
  • Limited period of support (2 years of major updates).