Android 10 includes extensive changes to protect privacy and give users control — from improved system UI to stricter permissions and restrictions on what data apps can use.

All developers should review the privacy features and test their apps. Impacts can vary based on each app's core functionality, targeting, and other factors.

Top privacy changes

Privacy change Apps affected Mitigation strategy
Scoped storage
Filtered view into external storage, giving access to app-specific files and media collections
Apps that access and share files in external storage Work in app-specific directory and media collection directories
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More user control over location permissions
Foreground-only permission that gives users more control over app access to device location
Apps that request the user's location while in the background Ensure graceful degradation in the absence of background location updates
Use permission introduced in Android 10 to access location in the background
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Background activity starts
Restrictions on launching activities from the background
Apps that launch activities without user interaction Use notification-triggered activities
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Non-resettable hardware identifiers
Restrictions on accessing device serial and IMEI
Apps that access device serial or IMEI Use an identifier that the user can reset
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Permission for wireless scanning
Access to some Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Aware, and Bluetooth scanning methods requires fine location permission
Apps using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth APIs Request ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission for related use cases
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Get started with privacy updates

  1. Review the privacy features — Learn about what's changing and assess your app.
  2. Test your app on Android 10Get Android 10 as soon as possible, test, migrate as needed.
  3. Update your app — Targeting 29 if possible, test with users via beta channels or other groups.

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