Android Users Can Limit App Internet Access Using This Simple Tool

Each one of us must be having some apps on our mobile phones which don’t necessarily have to be connected to the internet, but somehow or the other, they manage to be always connected to it. Perhaps you might be having someoffline game which works pretty well offline, but somehow or the other, it keeps popping up ads every now and then. Perhaps there is some app which runs in the background without your even realizing it, accessing your data without your permission.

On the bright side, you are able to prevent it. Android does not spell it out, but methods are available to prevent internet connections for designated apps. You are then able to keep connectivity to the necessary apps and terminate the other ones.

Surprisingly, even after several Android updates, there's no built-in setting that allows you to completely block internet access for specific apps. Yes, you can pause background data, but that doesn't prevent an app from going online when it's open.

To make it work the way you want, you'll need a third-party app. One of the best (and easiest) tools for this is NetGuard.

• NetGuard is a free app available on Google Play and F-Droid. It doesn't require root access, which means it works on any Android phone.
• Once you install and open it, give the app permission to create a local VPN. This is how it filters internet access. You'll then see a list of all your apps, with Wi-Fi and mobile data icons next to them.
• Now, tap the Wi-Fi or cellular data icon next to an app to disable its access.
• Green means allowed, and red means blocked.
• You can also set lockdown mode to block all apps at once, then manually allow only the apps you want online (like WhatsApp or Gmail).

Remember that NetGuard uses a local VPN, so you can't use another VPN at the same time.