Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Tech Advisor reviews that Google’s new blue dot characteristic is rolling out to Android telephones, showing when apps actively monitor your location in real-time.
- This privateness enhancement helps customers determine which apps entry location information within the background, enhancing transparency and management over private info.
- The characteristic launched on Pixel gadgets with Android 16 QPR3 and is anticipated to achieve all Android customers with the Android 17 launch in June.
Android smartphones are consistently being up to date with new options. With the upcoming Android 17, Google is introducing various new options, a few of which you’ll discover extra helpful than others.
Among the many extra useful adjustments 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 could have already got noticed a inexperienced or orange dot, however the blue one serves a distinct objective.
What the blue dot means
The blue dot is designed to warn you that an app in your cellphone is presently monitoring your location. There could also be apparent causes for this, equivalent to whenever 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 might be sufficient to know what your system is presently doing.
Fast tip: Faucet the blue dot to see which app is presently utilizing your location.
What an orange or inexperienced dot means
By the way, a inexperienced dot signifies that the digital camera is in use, whereas an orange dot signifies that the microphone is in use. These indicators are vital as a result of if apps are utilizing these features with out you realising, it might point out a hacking try. Or they might merely be draining your battery unnecessarily. GPS companies particularly are recognized 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 stated it wished to introduce the blue dot in early 2026. Google Pixel gadgets acquired it with Android 16 QPR3, as reported by Android Authority. Some Reddit customers, nevertheless, found the blue dot extra not too long ago.
We anticipate the characteristic to be rolled out to everybody as quickly as Google releases the ultimate model of Android 17. The discharge is anticipated any second now, because it’s scheduled for June. Nevertheless, an actual date has not but been confirmed.
The way to view location entry with out the blue dot
In your Android system’s settings, you may view and specify which apps are allowed to make use of your location at any time. This selection is normally discovered beneath ‘Privateness & Safety ’ or ‘Privateness’.
In case you have a Pixel, it’s beneath Settings > Safety and privateness > Privateness controls > Permission supervisor > Location.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
On a Samsung, go to Settings > Safety and privateness > Permission utilization (typically 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 for those who really feel the app shouldn’t have it. Nevertheless, whenever you launch the app once more, it’s possible you’ll be prompted to re-enable it.
Questioning in case your cellphone 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.