Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Tech Advisor studies that Google’s new blue dot characteristic is rolling out to Android telephones, alerting customers when apps actively observe their location within the background.
- Pixel gadgets already obtained this privateness enhancement with Android 16 QPR3, whereas broader availability is anticipated with Android 17’s June launch.
- Customers can faucet the blue dot to establish which app is accessing location knowledge and handle permissions via Android’s privateness settings.
Android smartphones are continuously being up to date with new options. With the upcoming Android 17, Google is introducing quite a lot of 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 might even see a blue dot seem on the high 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 special goal.
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, akin to once you’re navigating with Google Maps. However it might 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 observe your each transfer with out you being conscious of it. A fast look on the standing bar shall be sufficient to grasp 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 may 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 mentioned it needed to introduce the blue dot in early 2026. Google Pixel gadgets obtained 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 underneath ‘Privateness & Safety ’ or ‘Privateness’.
If in case you have a Pixel, it’s underneath 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 for those who really feel the app shouldn’t have it. Nevertheless, once you launch the app once more, you could be prompted to re-enable it.
Questioning in case your cellphone will get the Android 17 replace? Heres the listing of telephones that may.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and tailored from German.