Install & Permissions ​
S01E02 — "The app asks for a lot. Here's exactly why."
TL;DR Install from Google Play. Grant Location (required for BLE scanning on Android — Google's rule, not ours) and Notifications (optional, for tracker alerts). That's it. No account, no sign-up.
Install ​
Download NearTrace from Google Play. Minimum Android version: 8.0 (Oreo).
Permissions explained ​
Android requires apps to justify every permission they request. Here's NearTrace's honest explanation:
| Permission | Why we need it |
|---|---|
| Location (Precise) | Android mandates this for any app that scans BLE. It has nothing to do with tracking you — Google uses it as a proxy for "can see nearby devices." We use GPS optionally to stamp sightings on a map. |
| Nearby devices (Bluetooth) | To discover BLE devices around you. Required on Android 12+. |
| Notifications | Only used by the Proximity Tracker to alert you when a pinned device disappears. You can skip this and still use the scanner. |
| Camera / Photos | Only if you tap "Add photo" on a device's detail page. Never accessed in the background. |
What we don't ask for ​
- No contacts
- No microphone
- No SMS
- No internet (the scanner is fully offline — internet is only used for optional OUI vendor lookups and map tiles)
Privacy ​
Everything stays on your phone. Read the full privacy policy for the detailed breakdown.