What Is Android System WebView? Is It a Spy App?

If you own an Android device, you must have seen this particular app called Android System WebView in your phone's app list. But then, you keep wondering, what is this app? Is it safe? Or could it be a spy app?

Well, you're not the only one asking this question right now. Many Android users are also wondering about the same question. Thankfully, after doing extensive research about this app, I've found what Android System WebView is, what it is used for, and whether it is a spy app.

What Is Android System WebView?

When you see your social media app opening webpages by itself without redirecting you to an external browser, you may first think it is the app that is doing all the work. But the truth is, there is Android System WebView handling everything behind the scenes.

Put it more plainly, Android System WebView is a built-in component, letting apps open web pages inside the app instead of calling a browser. It is powered by the Chromium engine - a popular open-source engine behind browsers like Google Chrome.

Is Android System WebView a Spy App?

No. Developed by Google, Android System WebView is not a spy app.

1Android System WebView vs Spyware

You might think it's spyware because it's always present and runs in the background.

Similarly, spy apps are run secretly in the background after being installed and can be hidden from your device. After that, they start to access, track, and collect the device owner's sensitive information without their consent.

However, this is completely different from Android WebView. It doesn't secretly track your activity and only works when an app needs to open a web page inside the app.

2How to Check If an App Is a Spy App

If you suspect an app is a spy app, you can easily spot it by following the tips below:

Check app permissions

You can also check the permissions the app has access to. Take, for instance, if you find a strange app with the name "Calculator" on your phone, but it has access to your phone's microphone or location, something is definitely fishy.

Review battery usage

In addition to permission, you can also check the app battery consumption rate. Let's say you find an app that consumes battery every day, even when you don't use it; you should take care.

Use a third-party scanning tool

Also, there are numerous third-party apps that can easily let you know if an app is spyware and look for hidden apps. Here, if you want to easily spot spyware on your child's device, consider using AirDroid Parental Control.

It will let you see all apps installed on your kid's device and track daily app usage. With these, you can easily check if there is a suspicious app on your child's phone that could hack their privacy or anything else.

Can You Uninstall Android System WebView?

Knowing it's a safe system component, you might now wonder if you really need to keep it on your phone—or if it can be uninstalled. In truth, you can't completely uninstall Android System WebView, especially those running on Android version 9 or later.

This is because it comes pre-installed on them, and it is part of the apps that make the phone run smoothly. However, you can disable the app.

How to Disable Android System WebView

What happens if you disable Android System WebView?

But remember, disabling the app can leave your device with a lot of consequences. Some of them include:

• Apps that use WebView to load internal webpages may crash immediately or fail to open.
• You have to open links with external browsers.
• Your devices will be prone to malicious attack.

Is it safe to disable Android System WebView?

While disabling it won't harm your device, it is generally unsafe for app stability and may leave your phone vulnerable to malicious attacks. It is recommended to keep it enabled and updated to ensure security and compatibility.

FAQs about Android System WebView

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