Android Phone : Wi-fi Scanning

[3930dave]

I am probably just late to the dance, but wanted to pass along what I accidentally stumbled across in my phone yesterday.

In your Settings screen, search for Wi-Fi Scanning.

Depending on your phone/version of Android, it may be faster to just type wi in the Search Box, and scroll down the list to find Wi-Fi Scanning.

Wi-Fi Scanning screen has two buttons:

Wi-Fi Scanning switch allows Apps to detect wifi networks AT ANY TIME.

Bluetooth Scanning switch allows Apps to detect bluetooth devices AT ANY TIME.

N.B. - these settings are in a buried sub-menu, and they appear to function totally independent from the top-level (prominent) Wifi On/Off and Bluetooth On/Off switches.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Why Google wants this on.....

How Google Uses Wi-Fi Networks to Figure Out Your Exact Location

G knows, within 30', even w/o GPS.

Rgds, D.

 

[ponytug]

Yes, and if you care about security, or battery life, you probably want both off. No sense in alerting anyone that your phone is around.

All the best,

Peter

 

[3930dave]

Yes, and if you care about security, or battery life, you probably want both off. No sense in alerting anyone that your phone is around.

All the best,

Peter

The funny thing..... I know better.....

I fell into the trap of thinking that the prominent (aka window-dressing) higher level Wifi On/Off switch worked as labelled.

Many people don't care, but for those who do, that buried sub-menu is doubly irritating as Bluetooth Scanning is also sitting there, under an obscure sub-menu titled Wifi Scanning.

Red Pill or Blue Pill......

Rgds, D.

 

[k0ua]

Hm... thanks. turned them both off.

 

[mikester]

The funny thing..... I know better.....

I fell into the trap of thinking that the prominent (aka window-dressing) higher level Wifi On/Off switch worked as labelled.

Many people don't care, but for those who do, that buried sub-menu is doubly irritating as Bluetooth Scanning is also sitting there, under an obscure sub-menu titled Wifi Scanning.

Red Pill or Blue Pill......

Rgds, D.

Don't worry, for your convenience, the software companies will rename the button/switch and move it to a new location at the next software update.

 

[3930dave]

Hm... thanks. turned them both off.

NP, anytime.....

Called a buddy in BC yesterday, as we chat often. He has multiple cell phones on different carriers, all Android. (No, he doesn't deal that stufff.... he needs good coverage for (legit legal) work, and cell phone coverage in BC is ridiculously bad).

He checked all but one phone while we were chatting; all were set to On in that sub-menu.

Gotta run, I need to make new tinfoil-hats

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Don't worry, for your convenience, the software companies will rename the button/switch and move it to a new location at the next software update.

Sigh....

Yeah, I know, all too well...... my better solutions are to leave the battery out of the phone, or just ditch it altogether.....

Rgds, D.

 

[mikester]

Sigh....

Yeah, I know, all too well...... my better solutions are to leave the battery out of the phone, or just ditch it altogether.....

Rgds, D.

I don't understand the hoopla over paranoia regarding government surveillance. At least government agencies have to follow rules and laws to track you. When big business tracks you, you are a profit centre data set and the more info they collect the more money they get for your data. They get to operate above the law with impunity.

What's the number 1 source for malware on the internet? Google. Who steals intellectual property and makes money publishing it without any regards to royalties or laws? Google.

Bring back the dumb phone with a 1 week battery life and add a good camera. I don't need facebook embedded in my phone's OS when I don't have or want a FB account.

 

[3930dave]

Bring back the dumb phone with a 1 week battery life and add a good camera. I don't need facebook embedded in my phone's OS when I don't have or want a FB account.

I bought the optional Li pack for my old Nokia CDMA flip back when. That went at least 2 weeks for me, as I'm not a yapmyster..... probably closer to 3 wks many times.....

Preaching to Choir ..... as I trust MegaCorp less that I trust Govt..... and that's already a pretty low bar....

Rgds, D.