Hey everyone,
Lately, many of us Android users have noticed a new app lurking in our system settings: ‘Android System SafetyCore.’ Since none of us recall installing it, there’s been understandable concern. Is it malware? What does it do? Let’s break it down.
What is Android System SafetyCore?
Android System SafetyCore is an app pushed out by Google automatically on Android devices. Google says it’s part of their updated child protection and security efforts from October 2024. The idea is to identify and categorize content on your phone, supposedly making it easier to avoid stuff you don’t want.
It needs at least 2GB of RAM and Android 9 or newer to run, and it’s even on Android Go devices. You won’t find it in your app drawer; it only appears in the system app list. The app supposedly scans images and videos locally to flag inappropriate content, but Google claims it only scans images shared via the Messages app.
Should you be worried about SafetyCore?
Even though Google says everything is scanned locally and no data leaves your device, its unannounced arrival and broad system access are concerning. It feels like a potential invasion of privacy. What’s stopping it from scanning everything?
If Google can silently install apps whenever they want, what’s next? Even if SafetyCore is only meant to filter content, that capability could be expanded. Even metadata from scans could be sent back to Google, compromising privacy. The same tech could easily be repurposed for broader content monitoring.
Safety feature or bloatware?
Many online communities, like Reddit and Mastodon, are calling Android System SafetyCore malware due to its sneaky installation. If Google wanted to protect kids by scanning for explicit images, they should have been upfront about it. Apple faced similar criticism for a similar idea, which might be why Google kept SafetyCore under wraps.
Google did announce “Sensitive Content Warnings” in Google Messages, which flag potentially harmful content for children. But they didn’t mention Android System SafetyCore itself. Users only found it while digging through the Settings app.
What to do with the Android System SafetyCore app
Android System SafetyCore isn’t critical for your phone’s operation. You can remove it or keep it, provided you control its permissions.
Here’s how to find and manage it:
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Open the Settings app and tap on ‘Apps’.
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Then tap on ‘See all apps’ on the next page.
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Next, tap the three dots on the top right.
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Now tap on ‘Show system apps’.
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Scroll down and you should see Android System SafetyCore in the list of apps. Tap on it to see more details.
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Now you can tap on ‘Uninstall’ if you want to remove the app. In case you want to keep it, you can check whether you’ve granted the app any permissions and revoke them if needed.
Things to know
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You can also use a Firewall to prevent SafetyCore from accessing the internet if you think it is sending data to Google.
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Scanning the app with an antivirus app is another option that can help keep your device safe.
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Some users have reported that even after uninstalling the Android System SafetyCore app, it keeps reinstalling itself, and multiple copies of the app start appearing on the Apps page. If you find that the app has reinstalled itself, it might be better to just leave it installed.
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SafetyCore is a system app, and uninstalling it may cause problems in other apps, like Messages. If that happens, you can manually reinstall the app from the Play Store.