Question:

How can I identify and prevent unwanted downloads on my phone?

I noticed that several files were downloaded on my phone overnight without my permission. The files had names like CSHPAnimationVideos.zip, gvSettingPhoneHightAssets.zip, AudiobookTutorial…eLCXJitImages.zip, etc. When I tried to open them, they were already deleted and I could not get any information about them. The only apps that I downloaded or used recently were LibreOfficeViewer from the Google App Store and Amazon Kindle. Could these apps be the source of the unwanted downloads? How can I find out what caused them and how can I stop them from happening again?

Answer:

If you have ever woken up to find mysterious files downloaded on your phone, you are not alone. Many users have reported this issue, and it can be quite alarming. What are these files, where do they come from, and how can you stop them?

The first thing to know is that these files are not malicious or harmful. They are actually part of a feature called Just-in-Time (JIT) Images that some apps use to optimize their performance and storage. JIT Images are temporary files that are downloaded when you open an app, and deleted when you close it. They contain images and other assets that the app needs to display its content. For example, Amazon Kindle uses JIT Images to show book covers and illustrations, and LibreOfficeViewer uses them to render documents.

The reason why you see these files in your download manager is because some Android versions do not distinguish between JIT Images and regular downloads. They treat them as the same, and show them in your notification bar and download history. This can be confusing and annoying, especially if you have a lot of apps that use JIT Images. However, you can rest assured that these files are not taking up any space on your phone, and they are not a sign of a virus or a hack.

If you want to prevent these files from showing up in your download manager, there are a few things you can do. One option is to update your Android version to the latest one, if possible. Newer versions of Android have fixed this issue, and they do not show JIT Images as downloads. Another option is to disable notifications for your download manager. You can do this by going to your phone settings, tapping on Apps, finding the Download Manager app, and turning off its notifications. This way, you will not see any alerts for JIT Images or other downloads. However, this also means that you will not see any alerts for regular downloads that you initiate, so you will have to check your download manager manually to see their progress and status.

A third option is to use a different app that does not use JIT Images, or that has an option to disable them. For example, you can use Google Docs instead of LibreOfficeViewer to view and edit documents, or you can use a different e-reader app instead of Amazon Kindle. You can also check the settings of your apps to see if they have an option to turn off JIT Images or reduce their frequency. Some apps may allow you to do this, while others may not.

In conclusion, unwanted downloads on your phone are not a cause for concern. They are just temporary files that some apps use to improve their performance and storage. They are automatically deleted when you close the app, and they do not take up any space on your phone. However, if you find them annoying or confusing, you can try to update your Android version, disable notifications for your download manager, or use a different app that does not use JIT Images. By doing this, you can enjoy a cleaner and smoother experience on your phone.