Is there an App/Process for Android to completely disable the camera??

[z1ggy]

I am thinking about getting a new phone sometime soon. Currently I have the iPhone4. I am considering the upcoming S4 to replace it. I have used Android in the past, but I don't remember being able to find a function or App that got rid of the camera. On my iPhone, I downloaded something from Apple's website, which used some software to totally disable the camera.

I really like the big screen of the S3 but if I can't disable the camera via software, then I will probably just go for the iphone5(s?) sometime in 2013.

 

[ilkhan]

...why?

 

[ChronoReverse]

You might not know but there are many situations and jobs where it's necessary to have a completely disabled camera for your phone to be acceptable. Other people might be concerned a rogue app might start the camera when unexpected.

@op

I haven't tried this before so I cannot vouch for its function but I found this on the Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.ne.neko.freewing.DisableCameraDevice&hl=en

 

[shabby]

Pick one

1. tape
2. hammer
3. see post above
4. root + delete camera app

 

[corkyg]

Samsung is quite proud of their S III's camera, and I can find nothing in any review or description that enables the user to turn it off or disable it.

I wonder - what would happen if there was a small piece of black tape placed over the lens?

 

[zerogear]

Thing is there is no physical way to disable it either at least on the S3 -- the camera module is attached to the mainboard, not by ribbon connector.

I also tried this:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/...la28uZnJlZXdpbmcuRGlzYWJsZUNhbWVyYURldmljZSJd

But I think other apps can also access camera. (Based on one of the reviews)

Edit:
Maybe also try this? This seems to move out the camera drivers.
http://androidforums.com/eris-all-things-root/143432-able-disable-camera.html#post1320803

 

[z1ggy]

Samsung is quite proud of their S III's camera, and I can find nothing in any review or description that enables the user to turn it off or disable it.

I wonder - what would happen if there was a small piece of black tape placed over the lens?

The only way to physically have an acceptable "deletion" of the camera is either using an epoxy over the lens, or taking a chizzle to the lens, more or less. Neither of which I would be willing to do. I convinced my company that a software delete of the camera software kernal/drivers was acceptable on my iPhone, so I am looking for something like this if I were to switch to the Galaxy/any Android phone. I don't have much experience in Android, so I figure you guys could help.

 

[NutBucket]

I'm surprised your company would accept a software fix to block the camera. That's why there are some Blackberry handsets out there specifically without a camera.

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm surprised your company would accept a software fix to block the camera. That's why there are some Blackberry handsets out there specifically without a camera.

Yeah that.

Anyway if you are dead set on that root and use titanium to delete the camera app.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.ne.neko.freewing.DisableCameraDevice&hl=en

I'm not really sure why your workplace allows software blocks. Those are trivial to remove in a few minutes.

 

[dguy6789]

Yeah a software block is no different from just saying you won't use the camera

 

[Jinny]

Yeah a software block is no different from just saying you won't use the camera

this. that said, can't you just delete the camera.apk ?

edit: n/m already mentioned.

 

[Oyeve]

On my exchange server I can set up policies to block camerA usage on some phones that want to use my email system.

 

[gorcorps]

What do you have to do to prove your software fix worked? Do they even test it? If not, then that's stupid and you can tell them anything you want. If so then with root access it could be as easy as deleting the camera app from the android programs file.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

What do you have to do to prove your software fix worked? Do they even test it? If not, then that's stupid and you can tell them anything you want. If so then with root access it could be as easy as deleting the camera app from the android programs file.

Not really. There are dozens upon dozens of apps that access the camera and take pictures. The camera app is just an app, it doesn't control camera functions.

You have to disable it at the driver level.

Basically, the OP needs to make a custom ROM with the camera drivers stripped out

 

[RedRooster]

On my exchange server I can set up policies to block camerA usage on some phones that want to use my email system.

I was gonna say, would an EAS policy not be the best method? I can't wait until our work starts even using active sync, no more blackberries! Yay!

 

[zerogear]

I was gonna say, would an EAS policy not be the best method? I can't wait until our work starts even using active sync, no more blackberries! Yay!

Yep, this has been available since 4.x version up.

 

[z1ggy]

What do you have to do to prove your software fix worked? Do they even test it? If not, then that's stupid and you can tell them anything you want. If so then with root access it could be as easy as deleting the camera app from the android programs file.

The head of cyber security took my phone in his hand, scrolled through all the pages to make sure the camera icon wasn't there, then gave it back to me and said it was okay.

To get my camera back, I'd have to do a total restore of the phone, which of course I could go home and do, but like others have said...It's basically the same as saying, I won't use the camera...but I get a nice sticker on my phone that says my phone is approved.

In the 2.5 yrs I have worked here, I only had my phone physically inspected once...But I'd rather not lose my job or get suspended otherwise.

To the ROM thing...Are there any step by step guides into doing this? I read through some forums of guys trying to make custom ROMS, and they were either not so good at doing it, or it's kind of hard to do.

 

[tommo123]

go to xda. tons of guides there. you can set up titanium backup to run a little script and get tasker to run it. example, rename/freeze the camera app at x time, unfreeze at going home time.

 

[Raduque]

The camera.apk is simply one piece of software that can access the camera. Deleting it won't disable the camera, any camera app from the Play Store will still work.

If you have an S3 or NoteII you can simply download ExynosAbuse from XDA and use it to patch the exynos_mem explot - this should break any app that wants to talk to the camera, because the camera drivers use the exploit to directly read/write the exynos memory areas.

Otherwise, you will have to look into writing (or having written for you) a custom kernel which doesn't include the camera drivers.

 

[tommo123]

but if they only scroll the apps list then hiding the camera app(s) will do the trick no?

 

[cardiac]

but if they only scroll the apps list then hiding the camera app(s) will do the trick no?

Looks like he wants to play by the rules and not have a chance at getting fired over something so trivial...

 

[tommo123]

then i guess an easy way is to backup 1st thing, wipe system so the phone won't boot and restore when leaving?

straight forward but annoying

 

[z1ggy]

go to xda. tons of guides there. you can set up titanium backup to run a little script and get tasker to run it. example, rename/freeze the camera app at x time, unfreeze at going home time.

Yeah that sounds like a pretty cool idea actually. So there's a way to disable the camera monday-friday from like 5:30am to 3:30pm and then have it be available at every other time? If so that would def. be something I'd be interested in.

 

[gorcorps]

then i guess an easy way is to backup 1st thing, wipe system so the phone won't boot and restore when leaving?

straight forward but annoying

I'm assuming he wants to actually use the phone at work. Otherwise he'd never bring it in and this whole thread wouldn't be needed.