this post was submitted on 15 Apr 2025
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How to hide installed apps list from other apps in android? (reddthat.com)
submitted 1 week ago by limerod@reddthat.com to c/askandroid
5 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

So, recently I read an article stating that apps can still access installed apps on your phone as long as they list the apps in their manifest or use intent based hacks. Unfortunately, the app I use to restrict permissions (App OPS) does not have any measure against this.

Is there anything that can be done from adb, etc to restrict an app's ability to view other apps?

The article in question, it talks about indian apps but the info it shared should apply globally: https://peabee.substack.com/p/everyone-knows-what-apps-you-use

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[–] pelya@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Settings -> System -> Multiple users.

Add another user, and install all your spyware apps from this user account. These apps should be unable to access your primary account, including other installed apps, they will see only an empty Android phone.

You will need to create a new Google account on your PC first if you want to install apps. Also configure two-factor authentication using your PC or another phone, because you won't be able to switch to your authenticator app on your primary account quickly enough to copy the one-time password to your new account.

[–] limerod@reddthat.com 0 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Good solution. But, I want a general solution for all my installed apps.

[–] pelya@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

Unless you want to create your own custom ROM, the only general solution is to raise enough stink so that Google fixes it themselves.