I’ve had a Galaxy S22+ for 2 years and still want to use it. When I look up how to maximize privacy on Android, many results say to install custom ROMs which I can’t since its a US model and the bootloader is locked. I just want to minimize tracking and sharing of personal information. I could use a firewall app like RethinkDNS to block trackers, but could I completely block tracking from Google and Samsung? Are there any lists of packages to uninstall to improve privacy? (I’ve used ADB to remove a bunch of bloatware. Ex: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.arzone)
Cutoff internet access on all apps that expressly do not need it. Install Netguard or the likes if you don’t used a VPN and see what apps are calling home.
I thought you needed root for app-level firewalls?
Straight from their site.
NetGuard provides simple and advanced ways to block access to the internet - no root required. Applications and addresses can individually be allowed or denied access to your Wi-Fi and/or mobile connection.
Blocking access to the internet can help:
reduce your data usage save your battery increase your privacy
Edit: Uses the same slot as VPN on a phone. Thus you have one or the other. Not both. PC is different.
Unfortunately I cannot use a VPN because several apps I use (including android auto) do not work with it.
Then perhaps this could be a way for you to lockdown internet traffic to and from your device. Major privacy improvement.
I don’t understand how if this requires a VPN which I can’t use?