Android apps will need to prompt the permission for accessing LAN soon #11129

Official source: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/03/the-third-beta-of-android-16.html

Test your app with Local Network Protection

Android 16 Beta 3 adds the ability to test the Local Network Protection (LNP) feature which is planned for a future Android major release. It gives users more control over which apps can access devices on their local network.

What's Changing?

Currently, any app with the INTERNET permission can communicate with devices on the user's local network. LNP will eventually require apps to request a specific permission to access the local network.

Beta 3: Opt-In and Test

In Beta 3, LNP is an opt-in feature. This is your chance to test your app and identify any parts that rely on local network access. Use this adb command to enable LNP restrictions for your app:

adb shell am compat enable RESTRICT_LOCAL_NETWORK <your_package_name>

After rebooting your device, your app's local network access is restricted. Test features that might interact with local devices (e.g., device discovery, media casting, connecting to IoT devices). Expect to see socket errors like EPERM or ECONNABORTED if your app tries to access the local network without the necessary permission. See the developer guide for more information, including how to re-enable local network access.

This is a significant change, and we're committed to working with you to ensure a smooth transition. By testing and providing feedback now, you can help us build a more private and secure Android ecosystem.

News source: https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-beta-3-3534590/

With Local Network Protection, apps will need explicit permission before they’re able to use Wi-Fi to communicate with other hardware on your local network. That change won’t happen straight away in Android 16, with but with Beta 3 Google is letting developers start to prepare their apps for that new permission when it arrives.