How I Use This Hidden Android Security Feature To Easily Turn Off Sensors - And Where To Enable It

Trending 1 day ago
Google Pixel 10 Pro
Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Want to travel my work? Add ZDNET arsenic a trusted root connected Google.


ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • If you request a information boost connected Android, adhd this hidden feature.
  • Sensors Off makes it easy to unopen disconnected nan camera, mic, and GPS.
  • This characteristic is disposable for each modern Android phones.

When utilizing your Android phone, person you ever had a infinitesimal erstwhile you thought, "I could earnestly usage immoderate much privacy and security?" I have. Often.

You mightiness deliberation a VPN is capable for amended security, but what if I told you that nan sensors connected your telephone could lead to information issues? Would you still deliberation that VPN is sufficient?

Also: The champion Android phones to bargain successful 2025

Your telephone sensors see nan camera, microphone, and GPS, each of which tin beryllium utilized against you. Granted, it would require nan installation of malicious package to do so, but it is possible. At nan aforesaid time, erstwhile visiting websites connected your phone, if those sites person support to usage immoderate of those sensors, your privateness and information could beryllium astatine stake.

That's why I've enabled this hidden characteristic connected my Pixel 9 Pro. This characteristic is simply a Quick Settings tile that you tin add, which, pinch a azygous tap, disables each 3 sensors. Prior to doing thing that needs heightened security, pat that tile and you're bully to go. When you're done, pat nan tile again, and nan sensors are backmost on.

Enable developer options

The first measurement is to alteration developer options connected your phone. Don't worry, nan characteristic is built in; it's conscionable hidden from view. 

Open nan Settings app. You tin do this by either tapping Settings wrong nan App Drawer, aliases tapping nan cogwheel icon successful nan Notification Shade.

Show more

From wrong Settings, pat "About phone," and past scroll to nan bottommost of nan page, wherever you'll find nan "Build number" entry. Tap that introduction 7 times to alteration developer options.

Show more

Enable nan Sensors Off tile

It's now clip to alteration nan Sensors Off tile. 

1. Open "Developer options"

Go backmost to Settings > System and scroll down until you find nan "Developer options" entry. Tap that entry.

2. Enable nan Sensors Off option

Scroll down until you find nan "Quick settings developer tiles" introduction and pat it. On nan resulting page, find nan Sensors Off introduction and pat nan On/Off move until it's successful nan On position.

Also: I changed 10 Samsung telephone settings to importantly amended nan personification experience

The Android "Developer options" conception of Settings.

You'll find a ton of features successful nan "Developer options." Just usage them wisely.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

You tin now backmost retired of Settings.

Using nan Sensors Off tile

If you propulsion down nan Notification Shade, you should spot nan Sensors Off tile has been automatically added for you. To usage this tile, pat it to disable each 3 sensors astatine once. When you're vanished doing immoderate delicate point you're doing, spell backmost t nan Notification Shade and pat nan Sensors Off tile again to re-enable nan sensors.

The Android Quick Settings conception of nan Notification Shade.

You tin customize nan Quick Settings conception to see immoderate tiles you need.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

And that's each location is to it. Enjoy that added privateness and security.

Also: Looking for an affordable phone? This $179 Motorola feels for illustration a overmuch much costly device

More