Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Tech Advisor reviews that Android telephones are receiving a brand new blue dot characteristic that seems when apps actively monitor your location within the background.
- Google Pixel units have already got this privateness enhancement via Android 16 QPR3, with broader rollout anticipated in Android 17’s June launch.
- Customers can faucet the blue dot to determine which app is accessing location knowledge and handle permissions via gadget settings for higher privateness management.
Android smartphones are continuously being up to date with new options. With the upcoming Android 17, Google is introducing a variety of new options, a few of which you’ll discover extra helpful than others.
Among the many extra useful modifications is that this: for the primary time, you may even see a blue dot seem on the prime of the standing bar (subsequent to the battery icon) in your smartphone. Some customers might have already got noticed a inexperienced or orange dot, however the blue one serves a unique function.
What the blue dot means
The blue dot is designed to provide you with a warning that an app in your telephone is at present monitoring your location. There could also be apparent causes for this, akin to once you’re navigating with Google Maps. However it could be that an app is accessing your location within the background with out you even realising it.
With this new characteristic, Google goals to make sure that apps don’t monitor your each transfer with out you being conscious of it. A fast look on the standing bar shall be sufficient to grasp what your gadget is at present doing.
Fast tip: Faucet the blue dot to see which app is at present utilizing your location.
What an orange or inexperienced dot means
By the way, a inexperienced dot signifies that the digicam is in use, whereas an orange dot signifies that the microphone is in use. These indicators are necessary as a result of if apps are utilizing these capabilities with out you realising, it may point out a hacking try. Or they may merely be draining your battery unnecessarily. GPS companies specifically are identified to be very power-hungry.
When will the characteristic be out there?
Google first introduced the brand new characteristic on the finish of final 12 months. On the time, it mentioned it wished to introduce the blue dot in early 2026. Google Pixel units obtained it with Android 16 QPR3, as reported by Android Authority. Some Reddit customers, nonetheless, found the blue dot extra not too long ago.
We count on the characteristic to be rolled out to everybody as quickly as Google releases the ultimate model of Android 17. The discharge is predicted any second now, because it’s scheduled for June. Nevertheless, a precise date has not but been confirmed.
The right way to view location entry with out the blue dot
In your Android gadget’s settings, you possibly can view and specify which apps are allowed to make use of your location at any time. This selection is often discovered below ‘Privateness & Safety ’ or ‘Privateness’.
In case you have a Pixel, it’s below Settings > Safety and privateness > Privateness controls > Permission supervisor > Location.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
On a Samsung, go to Settings > Safety and privateness > Permission utilization (generally exhibits as Permissions utilized in final 24 hours) > Location > … (three dots) > Handle apps with this permission.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Take away the permission for location entry if you happen to really feel the app shouldn’t have it. Nevertheless, once you launch the app once more, it’s possible you’ll be prompted to re-enable it.
Questioning in case your telephone will get the Android 17 replace? Heres the listing of telephones that can.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and tailored from German.