Android 16 will quickly let which apps use Superior Safety options (APK teardown)

[ad_1] <img class="e_dh" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Advanced Protection mode in Android 16 based One UI 8 hero mode" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Advanced Protection mode in Android 16 based One UI 8 hero mode" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Advanced-Protection-mode-in-Android-16-based-One-UI-8-hero-mode-scaled.jpg"/> Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

TL;DR

Android 16’s Superior Safety is getting new helpful options. We’ve found an under-development interface that may listing all of the apps which might be conscious of Superior Safety being turned on. Apart from Google apps, the characteristic may even embody third-party apps that may entry the state of Superior Safety.

With the rollout of Android 16 earlier this 12 months, Google launched an “Superior Safety” mode that permits high-security options on Android units. It prevents any apps from being sideloaded onto your telephone, blocks USB entry, and disables insecure connections to fend off dangers of information theft or malware assaults. On the time of its launch, Google detailed how system apps would be capable to leverage the mode and activate any lockdown options wanted to forestall unauthorized entry, noting that third-party apps would additionally be capable to use the performance. Now, Google seems to be testing a brand new interface for Superior Safety, which can permit customers to establish which apps know when the characteristic is enabled.

We not too long ago realized that Google is testing a brand new possibility in Settings > Safety and privateness > Superior safety, which can listing all of the apps that may test whether or not the characteristic is turned on. The code hinting at this performance went dwell with model 25.33.32 beta of the Google Play Companies, nevertheless it isn’t accessible but. Nonetheless, we had been capable of tinker our method by to activating it.

<img class="e_dh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Google advanced protection apps" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps.jpg 1080w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-29w-64h.jpg 29w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-1000w-2244h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-642w-1440h.jpg 642w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-481w-1080h.jpg 481w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-385w-864h.jpg 385w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-169w-380h.jpg 169w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-535w-1200h.jpg 535w" alt="Google advanced protection apps" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps.jpg"/><img class="e_dh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Google advanced protection apps list" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list.jpg 1080w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list-29w-64h.jpg 29w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list-1000w-2244h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list-642w-1440h.jpg 642w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list-481w-1080h.jpg 481w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list-385w-864h.jpg 385w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list-169w-380h.jpg 169w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list-535w-1200h.jpg 535w" alt="Google advanced protection apps list" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Google-advanced-protection-apps-list.jpg"/> The brand new possibility seems on the backside of this web page and opens to a brand new part that lists all of the apps that may test whether or not Superior safety is enabled in your gadget, permitting them to allow their very own safeguards. At present, we solely see Google’s personal apps, equivalent to Chrome, Play Retailer, Messages, and Cellphone, within the listing, although it would additionally listing third-party apps that incorporate the mandatory API (utility programming interface).

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The shortage of third-party apps within the listing might merely imply that different publishers are usually not but utilizing the safeguards. Alternatively, it might additionally imply that the listing can not precisely scan for apps utilizing the API for the reason that interface remains to be beneath improvement. We aren’t positive which is the case for the time being.

We count on to see extra apps incorporate their very own preventive measures, though these necessities are usually not necessary for app builders to implement. In the meantime, since Superior Safety is supported on all units working Android 16, it will additionally permit different Android producers to activate safety features of their apps. Samsung already seems to be incorporating it in One UI 8.

Notably, a visual listing of all of the apps is just not important for apps to know when Superior Safety is activated. As an alternative, it is just meant for customers to be taught which apps have further safety features enabled.

When Superior Safety is enabled, sure apps will comply with go well with and activate their respective safety features, which can block particular actions. So, one utility of this listing is that it might inform customers of the apps that these safety features are managed on the system stage, and so they may want to show off Superior Safety in the event that they want to use the disabled options inside that app.

Whereas it’s not essentially the most superb situation, however you'll primarily have extra info to determine whether or not you need to flip off Superior Safety in your telephone momentarily.

⚠️ An APK teardown helps predict options which will arrive on a service sooner or later based mostly on work-in-progress code. Nonetheless, it's doable that such predicted options could not make it to a public launch.