How to Turn Off COVID-19 Exposure Tracking and Notifications on Android

In conjunction with Apple, Google has unveiled an Exposure Notification API that health officials can use (with your voluntary authorization) for COVID-19 speak to tracing. If you want to confirm that the characteristic is disabled on your mobile phone, here’s how to convert off exposure logging and notifications on Android.

Google commenced rolling out the Publicity Notifications API to Android handsets through a Google Participate in Expert services update in Could 2020. Whilst there is now a part for COVID-19 Notifications in your phone’s Options menu, nothing is enabled by default, and you need to have to manually download an app from your community general public wellbeing business right before any make contact with tracing commences working.

If you’re intrigued in learning more about how COVID-19 get hold of tracing functions on your Android handset, the API and publicity notifications are identical to that uncovered on Apple’s Iphone.

Associated: How Your iPhone’s New COVID-19 Publicity Notifications Operate

Commence by opening the Options menu on your device. The best way to get there is by swiping down from the major of your phone’s exhibit (when or two times, depending on the handset’s maker) and then tapping on the Equipment icon.

Alternatively, swipe up from your device’s household display screen to open up the application drawer and then track down the “Settings” application.

Upcoming, scroll down and choose the “Google” alternative.

Faucet on “COVID-19 Publicity Notifications” located at the top of the checklist. If the option is not shown on your Android handset, it usually means that your system hasn’t gained the May well 2020 (or afterwards) Google Enjoy Companies update, and the API has not been installed on your cellphone.

If you have set up a COVID-19 contact tracing application from your local general public wellbeing business and manually permitted it to use Google’s and Apple’s Exposure Notifications API, the solutions in the menu will not be grayed out. Without having you installing an app, the element is disabled and can not operate.

Select “Delete Random IDs” to eliminate any anonymous Bluetooth beacon information and facts that your handset has recorded or tap “Turn Off Publicity Notifications” to disable the contact tracing attribute solely.

To be very distinct, you do not have to have to stress about the Exposure Notifications API sending personal well being facts to health and fitness officers or the authorities. Employing the element is totally voluntary, and only will work if you grant permission to apps delivered by your area health and fitness business (which, at the time of composing, no U.S. condition has launched).

Relevant: No, the iOS 13.5 Iphone Update Won’t Ship Your Overall health Facts to the Govt