How to disable Google asking permission to regularly check installed apps on my phone?

Question

I'm developing an Android app, which I therefore endlessly build and install on my test device. Since a couple days I get with every build/install a question asking

Google may regularly check installed apps for potentially harmfull behaviour. Learn more in Google Settings > Verify apps.

I get the option to Accept or Decline. I've declined about a hundred times now, but it seems to be Googles policy to keep on asking until I get sick of the message and finally click Accept. But I don't want that!

So my question: how do I let Google know once and for all that I do not want them regularly checking installed apps on my phone?

Particularly need a solution for this to support automated UI testing, e.g. with Espresso, because the APK can't even be installed on a new emulator instance unless the Accept/Decline button is clicked. Is there a `@Rule` like `GrantPermissionRule` (https://developer.android.com/reference/android/support/test/rule/GrantPermissionRule.html) for this? — Michael Osofsky, Apr 04 '18 at 19:23

score 98 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 03 '14 at 11:14

98

On Android prior to 4.2, go to Google Settings, tap Verify apps and uncheck the option Verify apps.

On Android 4.2+, uncheck the option Settings > Security > Verify apps and/or Settings > Developer options > Verify apps over USB.

edited Apr 03 '14 at 11:14

Helen

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answered Oct 09 '13 at 07:42

Sunny

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Ah! I just now see it under Settings > Developer Options > Verify apps over USB.. Sorry, I just got so sick of this message and the fact that I couldn't find the setting.. – kramer65 Oct 09 '13 at 07:45
8

Not in Settings app find the `Google Settings` app on your phone. – Sunny Oct 09 '13 at 07:46
Ah, and I had never heared of the Google settings app either.. Cheers! – kramer65 Oct 09 '13 at 07:47
It's the default settings app ;) – Manuel Allenspach Oct 09 '13 at 08:33
2

On Android 5 I had to use the Google Settings app. Verify apps over USB was grayed out in the Developer options. – Rolf ツ Nov 16 '15 at 15:57
For me too on 4.2.2. – Mitulát báti Jan 06 '16 at 14:32
Can someone edit the answer to include instructions for MIUI? – einpoklum Dec 20 '16 at 20:12

score 22 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 04 '13 at 23:00

22

If you want to turn off app verification programmatically, you can do so with the following code:

boolean success = true;
boolean enabled = Settings.Secure.getInt(context.getContentResolver(), "package_verifier_enable", 1) == 1;
if (enabled) {
    success = Settings.Secure.putString(context.getContentResolver(), "package_verifier_enable", "0");
}

You will also need the following system permissions:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS" />

Also worth noting is that the "package_verifier_enable" string comes from the Settings.Glabal.PACKAGE_VERIFIER_ENABLE member which seems to be inaccessible.

answered Dec 04 '13 at 23:00

TheIT

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This code is not working, always returning true, though, I've disabled "verify app" from settings. Do you've any workaround @ThelIT? – Pankaj Feb 09 '17 at 13:12
@Pankaj, was the app installed as a system app? – TheIT Feb 09 '17 at 19:33
@TheIT No, my app is a simple app which will be uploaded to playstore later. But as security recomandation, customer saying to check for "app verify" and if it's not enabled, then prompt to user to enable it and navigate user to setting page. – Pankaj Feb 10 '17 at 05:25

score 10 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 02 '13 at 14:41

10

It is also available in general settings

Settings -> Security -> Verify Apps

Just un-check it.

( I am running 4.2.2 but most probably it should be available in 4.0 and higher. Cant say about previous versions ... )

answered Dec 02 '13 at 14:41

BiLaL

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On M it is in the Developer Options menu – wkarl Dec 23 '15 at 09:44

score 10 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 23 '15 at 08:31

10

On Android 5.1 Lollipop for my device, click on the Google Settings icon > Security > Scan device for security threats .

Note that Google Settings is separated from the Settings app itself.

answered Aug 23 '15 at 08:31

TheKraven

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score 9 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 01 '15 at 10:32

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If the device is rooted,

root@mako:/ # settings put global package_verifier_enable 0

Seems to do the trick.

answered Oct 01 '15 at 10:32

kakopappa

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This does work, however I did notice that after the device rebooted the setting was reset to enabled. – mfleshman Feb 15 '17 at 18:58
Yeah. Why is it reset? Irritating. – JohnyTex Sep 08 '17 at 10:34

score 3 · Answer 6 · answered Jul 08 '15 at 06:20

3

On Android 5.0+

Settings > More > Developer Options > Uncheck "Verify apps via USB"!

enter image description here

answered Jul 08 '15 at 06:20

user1767754

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Main app settings? I don't see a More in the main Android Settings, or in Google Chrome settings – Trip Feb 11 '16 at 19:22

score 2 · Answer 7 · answered Nov 03 '14 at 06:02

2

this worked for me ...

On Android 4.2+, uncheck the option Settings > Security > Verify apps and/or Settings > Developer options > Verify apps over USB.

answered Nov 03 '14 at 06:02

user4209283

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score 2 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 19 '15 at 14:07

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On Android 6+ follow this path: Settings -> Google -> Security -> Verify Apps Uncheck them all! Now you're good to GO!!!

answered Aug 19 '15 at 14:07

MohammadReza

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score 2 · Answer 9 · answered Nov 08 '15 at 16:02

With the latest version of Lollipop, go into app. drawer and look for Google Settings. Scroll down to Security, tap iit to open, slide to the left the slider next to 'Improve harmful app. detection' to the left, then same for 'Scan device for security threats'. Exit out of that, and the annoying pop up will never appear again!

score 1 · Answer 10 · answered Jan 16 '16 at 03:48

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In Nexus 5, Go to Settings -> Google -> Security and uncheck "Scan device for Security threats" and "Improve harmful app detection".

answered Jan 16 '16 at 03:48

Srihari Karanth

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How to disable Google asking permission to regularly check installed apps on my phone?

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