It appears Google is preparing yet another security enhancement for Android. Within the Android Canary 2602 test build, a novel feature has surfaced for the Advanced Protection Mode—the “maximum security” setting Google introduced with Android 16. This enhancement enables Advanced Protection Mode to restrict the operation of applications leveraging the AccessibilityService API, unless those apps are officially categorized as accessibility aids.
The AccessibilityService API is a potent framework within Android, fundamentally designed to assist individuals with physical impairments. It empowers applications to read screen content, monitor user interactions, and even execute gestures on the user’s behalf. This very capability has often made the API a target for malicious actors. Over recent years, numerous applications—ranging from automation tools and launchers to “optimizers” and antivirus programs—have utilized it to bypass system restrictions. Ostensibly for user convenience, in practice, this granted them extensive privileges.
Google has been gradually tightening its policies. Applications genuinely intended to aid people with disabilities are now required to declare a specific attribute, isAccessibilityTool. This category includes screen readers, gesture control systems, voice input tools, Braille interfaces, and other specialized utilities.
According to analysts, when Advanced Protection Mode is activated in this new Android Canary build, the system will: prohibit granting the Accessibility Service permission to applications not recognized as Accessibility Tools; and automatically revoke previously granted permissions from such applications. Should an application heavily rely on this API, it will simply cease functioning. For instance, in testing, the dynamicSpot application (which mimics Dynamic Island on Android) became inaccessible, with the setting marked as “Restricted by Advanced Protection.” The rationale is straightforward: it employs AccessibilityService to read notifications and display overlays. Tools officially classified as accessibility aids remain unaffected by these limitations.
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