Probably the weirdest request you're likely to see!

[cidersid]

Hi all,

It's been many years since I've been on here, I can't remember my old username so I'm back to the lowly level of complete noob.
I'm hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction, as the title says - this is a very strange and unique question to be asking...

I have LineageOS running on a Redmi Note T8, however what I'm looking to do is completely disable the internet (including Wi-Fi).
Yes I fully understand I could just disable in the settings but I want it to be permanent so was wondering the following:

a) Is there a simple solution to disable Wi-Fi and mobile internet via adb?
b) Does anyone know of any roms which turn your smart phone into a "dumb" phone?
c) If none of the above are options, could someone point me in the right direction for learning how I'd modify a rom so it just has all internet access disabled?

WHAT?!!!
Yes you heard me right, I know it's a really odd request but I'll explain...
I've always been someone who's spent the past 2 decades testing bleeding edge technology and messing around with stuff, I love it.
However I'm also now at that age where I reminisce about the good old days when phones were just phones (Nokia 3310 etc.) and we had no option but to socialise with people and all the information wasn't at your fingertips. I believe we've become far too dependent on the internet so I wanted to do an experiment for a month. If it goes well then I'll stick with it, if not then I'll know it's just old age and a selective memory of how things used to be!

I could just get a crappy old phone, I'd have no real problem with that to be honest but I do want a decent camera and I also enjoy long walks in random places I'm not familiar with, so I'd also like to keep the GPS functionality with an (offline) Google Maps or similar.

In an ideal world, I'd like a very basic rom which gives me the following:
- No internet access (including NO Wi-Fi).
- GPS and a maps apk installed which can work offline
- Music & video player
- Camera
- Call & text ability

I guess having the maps apk pre-installed wouldn't be a big deal as I could sideload but then I'm not sure how I'd get the relevant map data installed without internet? I might need some advice on that, suppose I might be able to install on another phone and just copy the data folder over maybe?

If any dev out there would fancy helping out with this experiment and knocking something up, that would be amazing but I know that's a big ask.
Any help/guidance you can give is very much appreciated, cheers.

[clarkss12]

I can not verify, but I believe that the GPS on cellular phones works off of cellular towers instead of satellites............ So, you have to have cellular service AND internet access for the GPS to work.

[cidersid]

I can not verify, but I believe that the GPS on cellular phones works off of cellular towers instead of satellites............ So, you have to have cellular service AND internet access for the GPS to work.

Oh balls, that could scupper my plans somewhat then!

Let's say I can do without GPS, do you know if the other two things are possible?
I imagine disabling wi-fi shouldn't be too difficult, I've flashed plenty of boxes in the past with the wrong fw which have worked just fine other than Wi-Fi working.
I'm thinking more for the mobile internet, not sure how that could be disabled as it's presumably coming though the same radio as cell reception?

Thanks for the reply btw ?

[mo123]

Oh balls, that could scupper my plans somewhat then!

Let's say I can do without GPS, do you know if the other two things are possible?
I imagine disabling wi-fi shouldn't be too difficult, I've flashed plenty of boxes in the past with the wrong fw which have worked just fine other than Wi-Fi working.
I'm thinking more for the mobile internet, not sure how that could be disabled as it's presumably coming though the same radio as cell reception?

Thanks for the reply btw ?

Have you considered something like the PinePhone with hardware kill-switches to turn the wifi off?

https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/08/22/this-smartphone-has-physical-kill-switches-for-its-cameras-microphone-data-bluetooth-and-wi-fi/

It has older hardware but if security is important the kill-switches might be handy.

If you want to stop internet access, you could perhaps install a firewall app that blocks all internet activity.

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/dev.ukanth.ufirewall/

Otherwise you have to build LineageOS yourself for your device and just remove/disable the wifi kernel driver.

[clarkss12]

Why don't you pick up one of those pre-paid phones to use it for what it want it for. I picked up one for $25 USD just to use as a monitor for my security cams, and it sits under my computer monitor. I only use it connected to my home network, but it still connects to the internet using my Wi-Fi, have not tried to disable that function.

https://www.google.com/search?q=prepaid+cellular+phones&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS882US882&sxsrf=ALeKk039u5eIhLZmXOU96h8G-U9WWtf-Dg:1629474801334&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiTs9DV-r_yAhWHG80KHU8IBvoQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1126&bih=561

[mitchell4you]

If i choose : quick boot on my phone
Then if android is booted and i select enable wifi.. then it will not work ( till i reboot normally )
on redmi android 10..there was also a setting called "disable sensors" this also killed wifi/gps/camera
Or use flight mode

Gps will work without any sim card installed.. on my redmi 9 ( it just takes longer to find 3 sats )
I also had a phone without a working gps...i used a Bluetooth gps dongle from TomTom

Blocking internet.. just use netguard ( f-droid ), block everything or "disable mobile data" ( under sim settings )

You can access Maps without having Gms installed..see f-droid (can't remember app name )
but offline maps?
I think just use a android device with maps..Download offline map..backup then restore backup to phone
-you are probably limited to 90days of use...and get pop-ups you need Google playstore to use this app..
-- but i think..maps might run or use another navigation app

As for power saving...down clock your phone (like with LBE or use "ulta powersave" ) or use exposed root scripts
Ps..
Nice project..please keepus informed about your findings

Cheers

[cidersid]

Amazing suggestions, thanks so much everyone.
I've just been installing a load of firewall apps but not been able to find one which allows me to set a password yet.
It got me thinking, maybe a parental controls app would do the job too but not found the right one yet (anyone have any suggestions?).

I'll keep you all updated, worst case scenario I'll just knock up my own app but fairly sure there must be something I can repurpose out there already.
After all your help, it made me think about it from a different angle. I figure I could just set the parental app to allow internet access to Maps and maybe a radio/podcast app then I can get the missus to set the pin so I'm locked out and can't be tempted to override it all when cold-turkey really starts to kick in!