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?

Solution 1

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.

Solution 2

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.

Solution 3

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 ... )

Solution 4

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.

Solution 5

If the device is rooted,

root@mako:/ # settings put global package_verifier_enable 0

Seems to do the trick.

View more solutions

Comments

[Michael Osofsky]

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 (developer.android.com/reference/android/support/test/rule/…‌​) for this?

[kramer65]

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..

[Sunny]

Not in Settings app find the Google Settings app on your phone.

[kramer65]

Ah, and I had never heared of the Google settings app either.. Cheers!

[Manuel Allenspach]

It's the default settings app ;)

[Rolf ツ]

On Android 5 I had to use the Google Settings app. Verify apps over USB was grayed out in the Developer options.

[wkarl]

On M it is in the Developer Options menu

[Mitulát báti]

For me too on 4.2.2.

[Trip]

Main app settings? I don't see a More in the main Android Settings, or in Google Chrome settings

[einpoklum]

Can someone edit the answer to include instructions for MIUI?

[Pankaj]

This code is not working, always returning true, though, I've disabled "verify app" from settings. Do you've any workaround @ThelIT?

[TheIT]

@Pankaj, was the app installed as a system app?

[Pankaj]

@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.

[mfleshman]

This does work, however I did notice that after the device rebooted the setting was reset to enabled.

[JohnyTex]

Yeah. Why is it reset? Irritating.