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If the Android System SafetyCore app randomly showed up on your phone without your permission, you may be wondering what it is — if you even noticed it at all. This was an automatic installation that was hidden from users. It doesn’t have an interface, meaning there’s no icon. To find the app, you’ll have to navigate to Settings > Apps > Show system processes.
Android System SafetyCore was meant to scan for sensitive photos and images, but how it was delivered makes many Android users uneasy about whether Google is looking through their phones. Data privacy is important, and you can install some of the best security apps for Android to help protect your device.
To learn more about the Android System SafetyCore app and how to remove it, keep reading.
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Android System SafetyCore is meant to scan your device storage for photos or images in certain categories (we’re talking nudes, folks) and create warnings or filters. It works in tandem with Google Family Link as a Sensitive Content Warning system meant to protect kids. It doesn’t seem to scan for viruses or malware. The nonconsensual installation and functionality of the app have left many Android users feeling unsettled, much the same as if they’d gotten an infection.
Google released the app in early November 2024, with some users on Reddit noticing it right away and wondering if it was malware. It took a few months for other users to notice, but they were equally as annoyed. It was sent to Android 9+ devices, but without icons on home screens, many people didn’t notice until information began circulating online.
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Officially, Android System SafetyCore provides infrastructure for apps. It is supposed to provide greater protection for users against unwanted content. Google states that it runs exclusively on your device and doesn’t share information with itself. Furthermore, it runs only if the specified app integrates itself with SafetyCore and requests classified content.
What this all means is that apps can opt in to using SafetyCore, and it’s only supposed to work if they do. Privacy-minded people, however, are skeptical about SafetyCore’s claim not to share information with Google since it was installed on Android devices without permission.
If Google is willing to invade your privacy with an installation, is it also willing to invade it by spying on your device?
Uninstalling SafetyCore is easy and painless. It takes a few simple taps, and you’ll be removed from this feature you never chose to install. Follow the steps below:
It’s worth noting that if SafetyCore is grayed out, you may only be able to disable it.
Your phone carries a lot of private and financial information, so protecting it should be a priority. Android users should always have a separate password manager because Google’s password manager isn’t safe. Other good security apps to use include antivirus, VPNs, ad blockers, and more.
I’m a big fan of TotalAV, Avast, and NordVPN for Android devices.
TotalAV includes various security products, including an antivirus, a VPN, and an ad blocker. Avast has a free tier, is secure, and includes a lot of security features, depending on which plan you choose. And NordVPN encrypts your activity, keeping you secure no matter where you are or what sketchy Wi-Fi you’re connected to that day.
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Google automatically installed Android System SafetyCore on Android 9+ devices without permission from users. It was rolled out in November 2024, and users on Reddit noticed it immediately, while others said it took a few months to show up.
No, you don’t need SafetyCore to run your device. In fact, we suggest deleting or at least disabling it. While Google claims it doesn’t share data, the fact that the company installed it without permission makes us all question what else it’s doing without permission.
Yes, it’s entirely safe to uninstall Android System SafetyCore. The program is not a core function of your Android device, and you can use it normally without it. Afterward, you should consider getting one of the best antivirus programs for Android to check and see if there’s anything else unknown on your device.
We can’t be sure that Google won’t use Android System SafetyCore to view the contents of your device. Considering it was installed without permission, we think the best bet is to remove it completely. There are other ways of securing your device without needing software you didn’t download yourself.
You should be proactive when it comes to privacy and security by using dedicated security apps for Android devices. Our phones and mobile devices carry some of our most private data, and ensuring their security helps protect against scams, spam, and even identity theft.
Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
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