Android Q privacy features extend the transparency and control that users have over their data and the capabilities they give to apps. These features might mean that specific behaviors or data that your app is depending on may no longer be available. This checklist gives you an overview of the key features to test for, as well as other privacy changes to keep in mind.
The impacts on your app can be minimized if your app is following current best practices for handling user data. We recommend getting started as soon as possible with testing and updating your apps.
For complete details, see the documentation for each feature. Also see the release notes for changes at each beta build.
| Key behavior change | Apps affected | Mitigation strategy | How to enable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoped storage New 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
Learn more |
Target Android Q | |
| More user control over location permissions New 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 new permission to access location in the background Learn more |
Install app on device running Android Q | |
| Background activity starts New restrictions on launching activities from the background |
Apps that launch activities without user interaction | Use notification-triggered activities
Learn more |
Enabled by default; turn on Allow background activity starts developer option to disable restrictions | |
| Non-resettable hardware identifiers New restrictions on accessing device serial and IMEI |
Apps that access device serial or IMEI | Use an identifier that the user can reset
Learn more |
Install app on device running Android Q | |
| 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
Learn more |
Target Android Q | |
Other privacy changes
Android Q introduces many other privacy changes that you should keep in mind when testing and updating your app:
| Data & identifiers | Camera & connectivity | Permissions |
|---|---|---|
|
Android Q places the following |
Android Q places the following |
Android Q makes several changes |