Google accidentally shipped a permission manager in Android 4.3 that allowed users to revoke access to individual permissions required by the apps installed on their phone. While hidden by default, it was pretty easy to enable the permission manager as it did not even require root access in Android 4.3.
Even though Google completely removed AppOps (a.k.a the permission manager) from Android 4.4.2, LG still ships a permission manager dubbed ‘Access Lock’ on their devices. While this permission manager is hidden by default, it can be easily enabled in a few simple steps on the LG G3. The best part is that the steps don’t require root access or other kind of tinkering with the system files.
Access Lock has been confirmed to be present on the LG G3 running KitKat and Lollipop as well as the G Flex. However, it should technically be present on any other recent Android device from LG, including the company’s mid-range offerings like the G3 Beat.
Step 1: On your LG G3 or any other recent LG handset, download and install a custom launcher like Nova or Apex from the Google Play Store. Then tap the home button, select Nova or Apex launcher from the list followed by the ‘Just Once’ option.
Step 2: Long press on an empty area in your homescreen and select the ‘Shortcuts’ option from the menu that pops up. Select ‘Activities’ and from the list of activities that opens up, scroll down, expand the ‘Settings’ activity list and select the ‘Access Lock’ option.
Step 3: On your homescreen now, you will have a shortcut to ‘Access Lock.’ Tap on it to open up the permission manager. You can now see all the permissions accessed by your installed apps and then revoke them on a per-app basis.
Since it is not possible to create a shortcut to Access Lock on the stock launcher of an LG handset, you will have to continue using Nova or Apex as the stock launcher. However, looking at the number of features they offer, I doubt anyone will be complaining.
Keep in mind that certain apps might start crashing if you revoke access to permissions that are a must for them to perform their core operations. If used properly though, you will notice a significant improvement in the performance and battery life of your LG handset.
