Gadgetbridge requires a ton of permissions, because it forwards most of what is going on on the phone to the wearable and therefore it needs access to the data: call logs, phone state, sms... Wearable devices ever since allowed for example calendar syncing, therefore access to calendar must exist and so on. One notable permission is access to location, which is caused by Android permission system: Because discoverable devices might reveal information about the user's location, the device discovery process requires location access.
To ensure that none of the accessed data is ever forwarded anywhere, Gadgetbridge does not have (and will not have) Android network permission, which means that Gadgetbridge has no means of sending any data anywhere. This is one of the most critical safeguards in the Gadgetbridge permission system.
Used for Bluetooth access
These permissions are needed to discover and connect to Bluetooth devices. Because discoverable devices might reveal information about the user's location, the device discovery process requires location access.
- android.permission.BLUETOOTH
- Allows applications to connect to paired bluetooth devices. https://developer.android.com/reference/android/Manifest.permission#BLUETOOTH
- android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN
- Allows applications to discover and pair bluetooth devices. https://developer.android.com/reference/android/Manifest.permission#BLUETOOTH_ADMIN
- android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
- Because discoverable devices might reveal information about the user's location, the device discovery process requires location access. https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/bluetooth-le.html#permissions
Since Android 10, more permissions are required
This is to indicate access to user data, such a call log, calls, contacts and more.
- android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
- Because discoverable devices might reveal information about the user's location, the device discovery process requires location access. https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/bluetooth-le.html#permissions
- android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION
- "Only when the app is open" is unsuitable because GB needs to sometimes scan in a background worker.
- Because discoverable devices might reveal information about the user's location, the device discovery process requires location access. https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/bluetooth-le.html#permissions
- android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG
- android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
- android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS
- android.permission.ACCESS_NOTIFICATION_POLICY
- android.permission.CALL_PHONE
- android.permission.ANSWER_PHONE_CALLS
- Call control, such as hanging up
- android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS
- android.permission.SEND_SMS
- android.permission.READ_CONTACTS
- android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
- android.permission.READ_CALENDAR
- Calendar event sync
- android.permission.MEDIA_CONTENT_CONTROL
Used for background service
Top keep the Bluetooth connection running even is the app is not in direct usage by the user at the moment, it needs services to keep it from being killed by the system.
- android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
- android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE
- android.permission.REQUEST_COMPANION_RUN_IN_BACKGROUND
- This is used to (re)start the background service while also being in the background, read more here Companion Device Pairing
Used for reverse find device
- android.permission.VIBRATE
Used for weather provider access
Weather information is forwarded to Gadgetbridge from
- cyanogenmod.permission.ACCESS_WEATHER_MANAGER
- cyanogenmod.permission.READ_WEATHER
- lineageos.permission.ACCESS_WEATHER_MANAGER
- lineageos.permission.READ_WEATHER
- org.omnirom.omnijaws.READ_WEATHER
Note
- page started based on #2062
- permission list and the initial explanation taken from current manifest file
- open for interested users to explore the source code and provide more details
General
- Home
- ReadMe
- Configuration
- Notifications
- ChangeLog
- Widget
- Weather
- Data Backup
- Pairing
- Permissions Explained
Sports/Activities
- Sports Activities Workouts
- Activity Sessions List
- Activity and Sleep Charts
- Heartrate measurement
- GPS recording of sports activities
- Integrating Sports Tracking apps with Gadgetbridge Sports Activities/Workouts
Device Related
Full list of supported devices
Development
- How to Release
- Developer Documentation
- BT Protocol Reverse Engineering
- Support for a new Device
- New Device Tutorial
- Translating Gadgetbridge
Feature Discussion
FAQ
