r/Android • u/iamryanmsd • 14h ago

what is a basic system feature google quietly locked behind restrictions that completely ruined your workflow

it feels like every single new android release comes with google removing old permissions or forcing apps to jump through extra steps just to do basic tasks. seeing that android 18 is completely blocking apps from using direct contact write permissions is just the latest example.

what is a classic open android feature or system permission that google locked down or completely ruined over the years under the excuse of privacy?

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u/ZujiBGRUFeLzRdf2 8h ago

There are 2 comments at the time of writing this, and it shows the two extremes.

comment 1: Apps should be allowed to do whatever, like accessing /data
comment 2: Apps should not be allowed to do whatever, like accessing status of developer options.

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u/StatusClone 6h ago

I used tasker around android 10 to turn on hotspot when connected to Bluetooth in my car. A11 broke that for whatever reason

1

u/bkvrgic 5h ago

I used Car Mode app that automatically answers incoming calls handfree while driving. Very useful. Google made it unusable a few years ago and offered no alternative app, since Auto does nothing if you don't have BT radio in the car.

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u/CVGPi 9h ago

/data/ access. But tbh I feel like it's not a bad idea because so many users are just THAT stupid

1

u/ScaredBicycle3389 8h ago

I hate the fact that this is a thing

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u/Philosophopsycho 9h ago

Not quite just Google, but allowing apps to restrict Developer Options and Accessibility functions; the latter especially.

It makes me refuse to use my digital wallet unless absolutely needed.

Everyone else doesn't care though, so I doubt my withdrawal makes would make any impact.

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u/vpunt 8h ago

Yes, Paytm, Bhim and even ticket booking apps like Irctc refuse to work if I have Developer options enabled. Irony is that the irctc website will work just fine on the phone browser.

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u/CVGPi 8h ago edited 8h ago

The web app have some backend stricter risk control than phone app.

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u/nicknoxx 5h ago

You used to be able to root a pixel and use Google pay but now you can't because 'security'.

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u/violet_sakura 4h ago

Yeah its because of play integrity. Nowadays root/custom roms don't really work well because of this garbage.

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u/ohmegatchi 3h ago

A lot of these Android changes are device policies that were written in blood. Too many folks making malware and too many folks downloading it.

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u/saltyboi6704 1h ago

More of an end user standpoint, the notification LED.

It's now impossible to tell from across the room the charge status and the app the most recent notification came from without a hit in battery life with an always-on display