Privacy in Android 10
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
Learn more |
|
| 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 Learn more |
|
| Background activity starts Restrictions on launching activities from the background |
Apps that launch activities without user interaction | Use notification-triggered activities
Learn more |
|
| 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
Learn more |
|
| 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 |
More privacy changes
Identifiers and data
New restrictions on hardware identifiers such as IMEI, serial number, MAC, and similar data.
Camera and connectivity
Stronger protections for camera metadata, connectivity APIs.
Permissions
Changes to the permissions model and requirements.
Get started with privacy updates
- Review the privacy features — Learn about what's changing and assess your app.
- Test your app on Android 10 — Get Android 10 as soon as possible, test, migrate as needed.
- Update your app — Targeting 29 if possible, test with users via beta channels or other groups.