How to disable internet permission

[aj3423]

The internet permission can be disabled in system settings, the option can be found in different locations.

For some devices:

• Long press the app icon on the screen
• App info or the ⓘ icon
• Mobile data & WiFi
• Disable options like Enable WiFi connection and Enable mobile connection

For Samsung:

• System settings
• Connections
• Data usage
• Manage app data
• Select SpamBlocker
• Change Network connection method to Off

If your phone doesn't have such options, you can also download the no-internet-permission-apk from the release page, which is built by the github action, it's a bit larger and non-reproducible though.

[nvllz]

Are you sure about the Samsung instructions? I can't find such an option, OneUI 5.1; Android 13.

[aj3423]

@nvllz
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ffb855bf-a8ce-4b8a-af06-f18a5751c280

OneUI 6.1
Android 14

If it doesn't exist, maybe try searching for "app data" or "data usage" in the system settings.

[nvllz]

Ahh, you meant this. I only have WiFi/mobile data to choose from, I guess it's a OneUI 6 thing.

[shilin-da]

I only have WiFi/mobile data to choose from

I have the same on OneUI 6.1, probably options availability depends on firmware region:

[aj3423]

Interesting, same version with different UI.

I'll try to write an action script for building an apk without internet permission, so you can build it yourself with one mouse click.

[aj3423]

Or even better, it's now available in the release page, this action build is a bit larger and non-reproducible though.

[Bakr-Ali]

Interesting, same version with different UI.

May I know which device do you have and which region? I'd love to have the feature to natively disable the internet permissions of any app and I'd seriously consider importing/buying an imported device from a region that has this feature. I'd guess such devices would have some other region restricted features too which would be a plus.

I have an S23+ on the same android version and I don't have the option.

[aj3423]

Different regions have different 4g/5g brand support, so can an imported device actually work properly in your region?
Mine is a Galaxy S21, but Samsung doesn't seem to work in your region.
My Zenfone 9 also supports this, maybe give Zenfone a try.

[Bakr-Ali]

Different regions have different 4g/5g brand support, so can an imported device actually work properly in your region?

We don't have 5g yet and we have a thriving market of imported phones (mostlyfrom Europe) so I think they are compatible.

My Zenfone 9 also supports this, maybe give Zenfone a try.

Sadly we don't have Zenphones here. I'd have to go with Chinese phones or European Samsung phones (of I confirm they have these features enabled).

Edit: I've just remembered something that I read earlier; EU seems to have passed a law that made Samsung lock the bootloader on the latest phones..

https://www.reddit.com/r/PocoPhones/comments/1mf0mp7/eu_kills_android_bootloader_unlock_starting/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1mabuht/samsung_removes_bootloader_unlocking_with_one_ui_8/

[aj3423]

I'd have to go with Chinese phones

I don't own one myself, but you can try their ROMs on your S23+(if compatible), they tend to be less restrictive.

If you can afford a new device, what about pixel+GrapheneOS? I don't have a pixel, I can't confirm this, but it seems to have a per app network-permission-toggle:

the OS app installation UI has been extended to show the toggle as part of the installation confirmation page so users can disable it when installing an app.