How to completely disable surveillance on Android: system settings, applications and hidden functions

Modern smartphones on Android collect huge amounts of data about users - from geolocation to search history. Some of this information is used to personalize ads, some is shared with app developers, and some data may be shared with third parties without your knowledge. It is completely impossible to disable surveillance (this goes against the business model of many services), but reduce data collection to a minimum is a real task.

In this article we will analyze all levels of tracking: from built-in functions Google and Android to third-party applications. You'll learn how to disable geolocation, limit microphone/camera access, block advertising identifiers, and even what settings are hidden in the engineering menu of some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Samsung). The instructions are relevant for Android 12–15, but some methods also work on older versions.

It is important to understand: some functions (for example, Google Play Services) are critical for the system to function. Disabling them may lead to failures - so we will indicate safe alternatives. Also remember that manufacturers (for example, Huawei or OnePlus) often add their own tracking mechanisms that are not covered by standard settings. Android.

1. Disabling system surveillance from Google

Google —the main data collector on Android. Even if you do not use the company's services, the system sends information about your device, activity and location. Most of this can be disabled manually.

Start with basic account settings:

1. Open Settings → Google → Google account management.
2. Go to the tab Data and privacy.
3. Scroll to the block Settings history and disable:
   • 📍 Location history —record your movements.
   • 🔍 Web and application activity —save search queries and actions in applications.
   • 📱 Device information —data about the phone model, software versions and etc.

Next block advertising identifier (used for targeted advertising):

1. Go to Settings → Google → Advertising.
2. Activate the option Opt out of personalized advertising.
3. Click Reset advertising identifier (this will make your profile anonymous for advertisers).

⚠️ Attention: Shutdown Google Play Services through Settings → Applications will lead to failures in many applications (for example, YouTube or Gmail). Instead, limit permissions for this service: deny access to Microphone, Camera i Geodata.

Google function	What it tracks	How to disable
Location history	All your movements with time reference	Google Settings → Account Management → Data and privacy → Location history
Web activity	Search queries, pages viewed, app actions	Google Settings → Account management → Data and privacy → Web and app activity
Google Assistant	Voice commands, microphone recordings	Settings → Google → Settings for Assistant → Your data in Assistant
Advertising ID	Identifier for targeted advertising	Settings → Google → Advertising → Opt out of personalized advertising

2. Limiting application permissions

Most applications require access to Geodata, Camera, Microphone and Contacts, although this is required for them to work not always necessary. For example, Facebook or Instagram can track your location even in the background.

To restrict access:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an application (for example, TikTok or VK).
3. Click Permissions and disable unnecessary options:
   • 📍 Location — leave only "During use" or "Prohibit".
   • 🎤 Microphone — disable for social networks and games.
   • 📷 Camera — allowed only for messengers (for example, WhatsApp).
   • 📱 Phone — deny access to call logs.

To disable permissions in bulk, use Permission Manager:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager.
2. Select a permission type (for example, Location).
3. Disable access for all unnecessary applications.

Open the list of installed applications|Check permissions for each|Disable geodata for social networks|Prohibit access to contacts for games|Limit background activity-->

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator) will stop working correctly without access to geodata. For such cases, use the "Only while in use" mode and disable Exact location in the settings.

Hidden threat - background activity. Many applications continue to collect data even when you are not using them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Battery.
2. Select Limited mode (if available).
3. Disable the option Allow background activity.

3. Disabling tracking from the manufacturer (MIUI, One UI, EMUI, etc.)

Smartphone manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei) add their own tracking services that work in parallel with Google. These functions are often hidden in proprietary shells (MIUI, One UI, EMUI) and can send data to China or other countries.

For Xiaomi (shell MIUI):

• 📱 Open Settings → Memory → Autorun and disable unnecessary applications.
• 🔒 Go to Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Display on top of other windows and disable this for suspicious services (for example, MiuiDaemon).
• 📡 B Settings → Connections and sharing → Data transfer disable Automatic diagnostics.

For Samsung (shell One UI):

• 📊 Disable Samsung Analytics in Settings → Accounts and Backup → Data Management → Samsung Analytics.
• 📍 Deny Samsung Location Services in Settings → Location → Location Services.
• 🔄 B Settings → Device maintenance → Automatic optimization Turn off sending diagnostic data.

For Huawei (shell EMUI/HarmonyOS):

• 🛡️ Disable Huawei Mobile Services in Settings → Applications → HMS Core → Permissions.
• 📈 Deny User Experience Analytics in Settings → System → About phone → Data Analytics.
• 📡 B Settings → Wireless networks → Mobile network → Data management disable Sending error reports.
How to check hidden processes on Xiaomi?

On some devices Xiaomi there is a hidden service com.miui.analyticsthat sends data even after all settings are disabled. To block it:

1. Install ADB on your computer.

2. Connect your phone and run the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

3. Restart the device.

⚠️ This may disrupt the operation of some functions (for example, themes).

⚠️ Attention: On devices Huawei s HarmonyOS Some of the tracking functions are integrated into the system and cannot be disabled using standard methods. In this case, only replacing the firmware will help with a custom one (for example, LineageOS), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and voids the warranty.

4. Using alternative services and firmware

If you need maximum privacy, standard settings Android consider the following options:

1. Installing a custom one. firmware

• 📱 LineageOS - clean Android without unnecessary services Google.
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS - firmware with an emphasis on security (supports Pixel).
• 🔒 CalyxOS - includes built-in Tor and tracker blockers.

To install, you will need to unlock the bootloader (command fastboot oem unlock), which will reset all data and may void the warranty.

2. Replacing standard applications

Standard application	Alternative	Advantage
Google Chrome	Bromite or Firefox Focus	Blocking trackers and ads
Google Maps	OsmAnd or Magic Earth	Offline maps without data collection
Gmail	FairEmail or K-9 Mail	Encryption of letters and no tracking
Google Play Store	Aurora Store or F-Droid	Anonymous installation of applications

3. Using VPNs and blockers

• 🔐 ProtonVPN or Mullvad - encrypt traffic and hide IP.
• 🚫 Blokada or RethinkDNS —block trackers at the DNS level.
• 🛡️ NetGuard —controls application access to the network.
💡

Custom firmware (for example, GrapheneOS) block surveillance at the system level, but require technical skills to install. Alternative applications (for example, Bromite instead of Chrome) are easier to use, but do not provide 100% protection.

⚠️ Attention: Some alternative services (for example, Aurora Store) may violate the rules. Google Play. This does not entail legal liability, but may lead to account blocking. Use them at your own risk.

5. Setting up network security: DNS, firewall and VPN

Even if you have disabled all permissions, applications can collect data over the Internet. To prevent this, set up network protection.

1. Change DNS servers

Standard DNS providers (for example Google DNS or operator servers) can log your requests:

• 🔒 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) - fast and. confidential.
• 🛡️ 9.9.9.9 (Quad9) - blocks malicious domains.
• 🌍 84.200.69.80 (DNS.WATCH) - does not keep logs.

To change DNS:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Private DNS.
2. Select Private DNS provider hostname.
3. Enter dns.google (for Cloudflare) or dns.quad9.net.

2. Set up a firewall

Applications like NetGuard or AFWall+ allow you to block network access for individual apps:

• 📱 Install NetGuard from F-Droid.
• 🔒 Open the application and activate Traffic Filtering.
• 🚫 Block Internet access for suspicious applications (for example, Facebook or TikTok).

3. Use a VPN that blocks trackers

Not all VPNs are equally useful. To protect against surveillance, choose services with:

• 🔐 No-log policy (do not save user data).
• 🛡️ Ad blocking (for example ProtonVPN or Windscribe).
• 🌍 Servers in confidential jurisdictions (Switzerland, Iceland).

6. Additional measures: disabling sensors and hardware functions

Modern smartphones are equipped with dozens of sensors that can be used for surveillance: gyroscope, accelerometer, sensor. illumination and even a barometer. This data allows you to track your actions with high accuracy.

How to disable unnecessary sensors:

1. Install the application Sensor Box for Android from Google Play.
2. Check which sensors are active (for example, Proximity sensor or Magnetometer).
3. Disable them through the engineering menu (if available) or limit application access:

   adb shell settings put global sensors_off 1

   (permissions required root).

Disable hardware features:

• 🎤 Microphone: Turn off access for all applications except instant messengers. Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager → Microphone disable access for all applications except instant messengers.
• 📷 Camera: Similarly restrict access in Permission manager.
• 📍 GPS: In Settings → Location select mode Device only (without using networks Wi-Fi and mobile data).
• 📶 Bluetooth/Wi-Fi scanning: Disable in Settings → Location → Scan.

Engineering menu (for advanced users)

Some manufacturers hide tracking settings in the engineering menu. To get there:

1. Open the application Phone.
2. Enter code:
   • For Samsung: #0# or *#9900#
   • For Xiaomi: ##4636##
   • For Google Pixel: ##4636## → Phone information

Look for sections with names Logging, Diagnostics or Privacy.

⚠️ Attention: Changing parameters in the engineering menu can lead to unstable operation of the phone or loss of warranty. Do not change the settings if you are not sure of their purpose. For example, disabling IMS Logging on Samsung may disrupt the operation of the mobile network.

7. Checking your device for spyware

If you suspect that you are being monitored using specialized apps (for example, mSpy or FlexiSPY), follow these steps:

Signs of spyware:

• 🔋 Rapid battery drain (even in standby mode).
• 📶 Increased mobile data traffic.
• 📱 Heating of the phone for no apparent reason.
• 🔊 Extraneous sounds during calls (echoes, clicks).

How to detect and remove a spy:

1. Check the list of installed applications in Settings → ApplicationsLook for suspicious apps with names like System Update, Device Admin or unfamiliar. icons.
2. Use an antivirus with a spyware scanning function (for example, Malwarebytes or Kaspersky).
3. Check device administrator rights:
   1. Open Settings → Security → Device Administrators.
   2. Remove unknown applications from the list.
4. If all else fails, run reset to factory settings (save important ones first data).

How to protect yourself from installing spyware in the future:

• 🔒 Do not install applications from unverified sources (outside Google Play or F-Droid).
• 🛡️ Disable installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
• 🔑 Do not give the phone to strangers (even for a few minutes).
• 📱 Regularly check active processes via Developer Options (enabled by tapping on the build number in About the phone).

How to check your phone for wiretapping?

If you suspect wiretapping through the microphone:

1. Call another phone and leave your device in a quiet place.

2. extraneous noise is heard (for example, voices from the room), the microphone may be activated remotely.

3. Check active connections via NetGuard or adb shell netstat (required ADB).

4. Install Access Dots (indicates when the camera/microphone is in use).

8. Regular maintenance: how to maintain privacy

Disabling surveillance is not a one-time action, but an ongoing process. Over time, settings may be reset after updates, and new applications will request permissions To remain protected:

Monthly checklist:

Check permissions of new applications|Update tracker blockers (for example, Blokada)|Clear cache and browser data|Check active devices in your Google account (myaccount.google.com/device-activity)|Update the firmware (if you are using custom)|Check the list of device administrators-->

Tools for automation:

• 🤖 AppOps — allows you to manage permissions in detail (required ADB).
• 📊 Exodus Privacy — analyzes applications for trackers.
• 🔄 Syncthing — replacement Google Drive for synchronizing files without clouds.

What to do in case of a data leak:

1. Immediately change passwords for all important services.
2. Revoke access to accounts on the website myaccount.google.com/permissions.
3. Check your device for spyware (see section 7).
4. If there is a leak serious (for example, leaking photos), contact service support with a request to delete the data.

How to follow updates:

• 📰 Subscribe to news about privacy (for example, PrivacyToolsIO or Restore Privacy).
• 🔍 Check your settings regularly after updates Android (manufacturers sometimes return disabled functions).
• 📱 Install F-Droid to receive open source software updates without Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Realmealways reset the privacy settings after major updates. Always check the section Settings → Privacy after. installation of a new firmware version.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about surveillance on Android

Can I completely disable surveillance on Android?

No, it is impossible to completely disable surveillance, since Android is a proprietary system with built-in data collection mechanisms. However, you can reduce it to a minimum: disable the main services Google, use alternative applications and custom firmware (for example, GrapheneOSEven in this case, part of the data). (for example, information about connecting to cellular networks) will be transmitted to the telecom operator.

How to check what data Google has collected about me?

Go to the site myactivity.google.com (activity history) and takeout.google.com (export data). you will find:

• Location history;
• Queries in Google Search;
• Data from YouTube;
• Information about devices.

To delete data, select the desired categories and click Delete.

Is it safe to disable Google Play Services?

No, disabling Google Play Services will cause most applications to malfunction (including Gmail, Maps and Play MarketInstead:

• Limit permissions for this service (deny access to geodata, microphone, camera).
• Disable automatic updates Google Play Services in Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Three dots → Disable auto-update.
• Use alternative services (for example MicroG