[FEATURE REQUEST] Disable Background App Use by Default

Oggyo

When I'm using the same approach (disabled "Allow background usage" and "Background data") for most of my installed apps, please allow me to express two concerns:

This might not be feasible for all users and their assumptions based on the previous behaviour before moving to GrapheneIOS. Workaround - manually go and do that for every app. Yes, those changes are persistent on the device reboots.
Despite turning off the "Allow background usage" some apps still run in the background and can communicate with internet. Workaround - keep such apps in "Disabled" state or put the, in a User profile (or Private space) with proper settings for keeping that profile running.

Alajanda

Oggyo "allow . . . disabling background use"
as in, the user would have to set a toggle to disable background use by default, the same way users have to toggle the default sensor permission manually.

presently, the background app use permission is most comparable to the "Play Integrity API" setting — there's no way to block it until after installing the app, and it can only be blocked on a per-app basis

Sagebath

Thank you! I didn't realize I had to disable background usage for each app. Maybe I'll start setting longer battery life now?

Alajanda

Sagebath have you looked into which apps have sensor permissions? it's bizarre how many apps love to steal your sensor data - especially any with builtin ads, they love taking your gyroscope data.

Oggyo

Alajanda the same way users have to toggle the default sensor permission manually.

Here I'm not discussing the way to disable it, but the feasibility of the (global) switch.

Alajanda

This is off-topic, the discussion is not about sensors or other permissions.

Alajanda

Oggyo Well, the reason I brought it up, pardon me for not prefacing with this, but background app access for certain apps means that I have persistent notifications of those apps trying to access various permissions — especially Sensor permissions. The reason I personally want them toggled by default is that I realized many apps may be accessing other permissions in the background.

The mobile networks one is most important, as it uses a lot of battery.

GrouchyGrape

Much easier to simply use private space or another user profile... Any reason you don't want to go that route?

Alajanda

GrouchyGrape I suppose the post was misleading and implied this relates to some threat model, maybe by mention of the VPN deanonymization.

I want to easily toggle background app access mainly for convenience, battery optimization, and not having apps make requests in the background. In the Permission manager, it would be great if I could go through and disable the apps that have Background access, but it's not there. I would also like if it could be disabled by default. But it's setup similar to the Play Integrity API toggle, so that it has to be done slowly, manually, per-app, without any configurable default permission.

GrouchyGrape

Alajanda Sure, makes plenty sense. That's why I think private space fits this perfectly. When private space is closed, so are all the apps. A swipe and two taps later, they're available to run as normal then as soon as you're done just kill the space again. That's what I do and it is incredibly convenient.

Oggyo

Alajanda
You are mixing up the things. I have nothing to add re. the OP. Please re-read the other posts and hold on topic.
Thanks.

Alajanda

GrouchyGrape Can I use private space as my primary system then?

GrouchyGrape

Alajanda you could, sure. I leave the apps I use frequently (messaging, email, music, etc) in the normal owner profile. Everything else gets put in the private space. When I need one of those, I open the space, do what I need to do, then close the space.

AltruisticMidget

Alajanda
I do this. And end session immidiately on lock.

However, my battery stats still states that apps in private space consumes battery, while my private space is locked. They should not be able too, but they still do somehow.

Not sure if this is a bug or a hack.

Onlyfun

Yeah why no global toggles for all features? What's the big deal with it? Isn't it obviously a good one?

Keep the defaults when GOS is just installed on the user friendly side for usability, but allow global toggles. Its such a waste of time to switch everything manually, specially good for "many users" setups.

I offer to also add "ask every time" permission level to all permissions, and apps including preinstalled ones, to keep them in control (at least to be more informed) - just speculating here

Arguments about increasing risks of breaking something doesn't sound intact with open source and privacy respecting mindset imo.

Byku

A note that neither restricted battery setting or disabling background data usage prevent an app from making connections in the background. Wish it did. You need to disable network access manually.