Samsung Galaxy S3 Anti-Theft stealth mode not working?

Avast Mobile Apps Avast Anti-Theft for Android
1

Hello,

I’ve recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S3 (Android 4.0.4, Ice Cream Sandwich), and decided to go with Avast! Mobile Security based on reviews and features.

Now since successful installation, scans, and adjusting my settings, when attempting to go into ‘stealth mode’ by ticking the box ‘Enable Anti-Theft’, and restarting my phone, the Avast! launcher icon still appears on the top-right corner of the notifications bar, and my custom named application is not appearing in my applications list. This indicates ‘stealth mode’ failed to initialise after restart.

Am I missing something here? Or, since this is a very recently released phone, and the last software update to Avast! Mobile Security pre-dates the phone release, the software is yet to be fully compatible with the new phone, where some new bugs are now raised?

I have attached a screenshot to this post to demonstrate the problem.

If anyone can reply, that would be much appreciated.

2

Hi,

that is the correct behavior. The icon you see belongs to avast! Mobile Security, not avast! Anti-Theft. If the Anti-Theft doesn’t show up in your app list, the stealth mode is active. You can disable the AMS icon in settings or, ff the Anti-Theft is the only thing you want, you can completely uninstall AMS, Anti-Theft will remain.

Filip

3

Hi Filip,

Thanks for your reply.

Ok, that makes sense. I would like both products. You see, I downloaded and installed Avast! Mobile Security, and assumed Avast! Anti-Theft was just feature of Mobile Security, not really as a separate product, since it came together as one single app. Mobile Security still shows up in app list, even when in stealth mode, but I suppose that is intended based on what you mentioned.

Just a further three questions, if I may:

  1. I have never noticed a separate standalone Anti-Theft app/icon displayed in my app list when stealth mode is inactive, is that correct behaviour?

  2. Whenever, I select not to show notification, a warning dialogue opens stating ‘The notification icon helps Avast! protect your device better’. Does it really protect my device better? Or is it just to show me that Avast! Mobile Security is constantly running in the background for reassurance?

  3. I am unable to locate my custom dummy app in my app list when stealth mode is active? Is this also correct behaviour?

If you could answer the questions above, that would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Sayvai

4

Hi.

  1. When not active, you should see the dummy app in your app list, just try to deactivate Anti-Theft and you will see.

  2. It is true, actually, it’s not only for reassurance. You can find further explanations inside numerous threads here on the forum.

  3. That is correct, in stealth mode the only way to access the Anti-Theft should be via AMS or by calling your password.

Filip

5

Hi Filip,

Thanks for the answers again, got the points.

With regards to point 1), my dummy app is not displayed in app list. But Avast! Mobile Security remains displayed in the app list. Unexpected? Bug?

Thanks,
Sayvai

6

That is correct behavior, AMS and AAT are two different apps. AAT is usually displayed as the dummy app (if deactivated). After you activate it, the dummy app gets hidden, but AMS stays.

Filip

7

Hmm ok.

The dummy app (or AAT) never gets listed in my app list either way, irrespective of whether Anti-Theft is enabled or disabled.

AMS is always displayed in my app list regardless of settings, but this part is expected, based on conversation throughout this correspondence.

As I said, I only ever downloaded AMS, which included AAT within AMS.

Thanks,
Sayvai

8

That’s kinda weird :slight_smile: Did you try deactivating AAT (disabling the highlighted checkbox on the screenshot you posted) and restarting your phone?

Filip

9

Aha, I just tested your method, and that explains why I was not seeing my dummy AAT app. So that worked, by restarting after disabling AAT :slight_smile: . I suppose maybe in the next software upgrade, maybe that could be made clearer.

I suppose that answers my final question.

Many thanks for your assistance Filip!

10

No problem, glad it’s clear now :slight_smile:

Well on some devices the reboot is not needed (maybe on most of them) so users usually find this out by themselves :slight_smile:

Filip