What permissions does the app use and why?

The app requires the following internet/wifi/network related permissions for the various tools it provides and the network information it shows:

  • INTERNET
  • ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
  • CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE
  • ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
  • CHANGE_WIFI_STATE
  • CHANGE_WIFI_MULTICAST_STATE

Next, the app needs to access the device's location to show it on the map in visual traceroute and to find the nearest servers for the speed test (both available in paid version only). Finally, the location permission is required also for the Wifi Signal tool - check this article for more information (Network Analyzer doesn't use the location information at all in this case). The used permission is

  • ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION

which is the less precise of the location permissions not requiring GPS and relying only on wifi and cell tower geolocation.

On Android 6 and later the location permission can be disabled; however, the above functionality won't be available in this case.

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