Have you ever come across a mysterious app for Android system settings called “Safetycore”? If so, you are not alone. Introduced in late 2024, the system service aims to enhance privacy on your device by detecting sensitive content such as NUDity and enabling features such as Google Messages’ confidential content warnings.
Google guarantees users that Safetycore works locally without external sharing of data, but it’s causing confusion over automatic updates. Let’s dive into what Safetycore is doing, how it works, and steps you can take to disable it if you choose to do so.
Be protected and provide information! Get security alerts and expert technical tips – Sign up for “The Cyberguy Report” in your cart now.
Man scrolling on his android phone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
What you need to know
By definition, Safetycore is a system service that provides a device machine learning infrastructure that helps detect sensitive content. It was introduced on November 7, 2024 as part of Google’s system update for Android 9 and later.
Google initially described Safetycore as a tool that supports user protection that provides app privacy. One of the first visible uses was in Google Messages. Here we enable sensitive content warnings. This is the ability to blur images that are potentially nude and prompt the user for additional options before displaying or sending.
By default, Google System Services automatically updates your device with security, bug fixes, and new features. Some updates are delivered via system services in separate Android packages. This maintains privacy, security, and data separation according to the principle of least privilege, as permissions are not shared with other features.
Safetycore doesn’t just detect nude images. Built-in machine learning capabilities also allow you to target, detect and filter images of sensitive content. There is no app icon and will not appear in the normal list of running applications. Users should check (Settings) > (Apps) > (View System Processes) to find it.
Woman holding an Android phone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
Best virus protection for Androids – CyberGaipic 2025
What does Google say?
Google claims that Safetycore is purely a device classification service and does not report or share scanned content with Google or other entities. The company claims the service will enhance security without compromising privacy, allowing apps to locally detect and filter unwanted content.
In contacting Google, a spokesman told CyberGuy, “Android provides many device protections that protect users from threats such as malware, messaging spam and abuse protection, phone fraud, and more, while keeping users in control of their data.
“Safetycore is a new Google Systems service for Android 9+ devices that provides an on-device infrastructure to safely and privately implement classifications that help users detect unwanted content. Users control Safetycore, and Safetycore classifies specific content only when the app requests it through the optional enabled features.”
Google also said that as part of its ongoing investment in product transparency, the company is adding binary transparency to Safetycore. This allows users and developers to ensure that Safetycore really provides privacy, as Google says.
Samsung phone (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
Looking for a way to lock down Android? This is the way
How to remove Android Safetycore
Settings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone. (Note: I tested these steps on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.)
If you want to uninstall or disable Safetycore on your Samsung Galaxy, follow these steps:
(Note: If you decide to disable or remove System Safetycore, you may not be able to benefit from the new security and privacy features and enhancements that Google offers now or in the future.)
Open the Settings app from the list in Devicetap AppsScroll or use the search bar to find the Android system SafetyCoreTap and see if the uninstall option is available. If uninstall is available, tap to remove the service. If the uninstall is grayed out, you may be able to disable it
Uninstall or disable Safetycore on Samsung Galaxy (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
If you want to uninstall or disable Safetycore on your Pixel device, follow these steps:
Settings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone. (Note: I tested these steps on my Pixel 9 Pro.)
Open the Settings app in devicetap appsselect and browse all AppsScrolls via the list, or use the search bar to find the Android system Safetycore. If the uninstall option is available, tap Android System SafetyCoreCheck. If uninstall is available, tap to remove the service. If the uninstall is grayed out, you may be able to disable it
Uninstall or disable Safetycore with pixels (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
How to cancel your subscription and save money on Android
Four Ways to Keep Your Personal Information Safe
If you are concerned about Google’s data collection and want to keep your personal information safe, here are four steps you can take.
1) Restrict app permissions: periodically check and restrict app permissions, particularly for access to cameras, microphones, storage, or locations. If you need access to the app, revoke it in your device settings.
2) Disable background data and tracking: Prevent unnecessary tracking by turning off background data for apps that do not require constant internet access. You can also opt out of location tracking and personalized Google ads in your account settings.
3) Using VPN for secure browsing: VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts internet traffic and prevents your ISP, Google, or other entities from tracking online activity. A privacy-focused VPN is a great option that doesn’t record user data. For the best VPN software, check out our expert reviews of the best VPNs for personal browsing the web on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
4) Clear your personal data periodically: Delete unnecessary saved data such as search history, location history, cache files, etc. This can be done within Google account settings and individual apps, minimizing your digital footprint.
Important points of cart
Safetycore is an interesting addition to Android, offering device content filtering using machine learning. It is intended to enhance privacy and security, but some users may ask questions about its existence and functionality. Whether you decide to keep it or explore disabling it, maintaining information about the functionality of your device is always a good idea. This allows you to make the best choice for your needs and preferences for managing your Android device.
Do you trust Google’s claim that Safetycore works perfectly on your device and doesn’t share any data? Please let us know by writing to cyberguy.com/contact.
For more information about my tech tips and security alerts, head to cyberguy.com/newsletter and subscribe to our free Cyberguy Report newsletter.
Please ask Cart questions or tell us what stories you would like us to cover.
Follow your cart on his social channels:
Answers to the most accused Cyber Guy questions:
New from Cart:
Copyright 2025 cyberguy.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
