Android Application Secure Design/Secure Coding Guidebook

November 1, 2020 Edition
Japan Smartphone Security Association (JSSEC)
Secure Coding Working Group

  • The content of this guide is up to date as of the time of publication, but standards and environments are constantly evolving. When using sample code, make sure you are adhering to the latest coding standards and best practices.
  • JSSEC and the writers of this guide are not responsible for how you use this document. Full responsibility lies with you, the user of the information provided.
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  • Parts of this document are copied from or based on content created and provided by Google, Inc. They are used here in accordance with the provisions of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

Revision history

2014-04-01
Initial English Edition
2014-07-01
Added new articles below
2015-06-01
We have reviewed the entire document in accordance with the following policy
  • Change of development environment (Eclipse -> Android Studio)
  • Responding to Android latest version Lollipop
  • Change of API Level (8 or later -> 15 or later)
2016-02-01
Added new articles below
Revised article below
2016-09-01
Revised articles below
2017-02-01
Added new articles below
Revised articles below
Deleted the section below
  • 4.8.3.4 BuildConfig.DEBUG Should Be Used in ADT 21 or Later
We have reviewed the entire document in accordance with the following policy
  • All discussions in the main text concerning Android 4.0.3 (API Level 15) and earlier versions have been deleted or moved to footnotes.
2018-02-01
Added new articles below
Revised articles below
2018-09-01
Added new articles below
Revised articles below
2019-12-01
Added new articles below
Revised articles below
2020-11-01
Added new articles below
Revised articles below

Note: For a detailed description of these revisions, see Section “1.4. Correction articles of December 1, 2019 edition

In preparing a new version for public release, we have revised the content of this guidebook based on opinions, comments and suggestions received from readers.

Published by

Japan Smartphone Security Association Secure Coding Working Group, Smartphone Technology Committee

Leader Tsutomu Miyazaki LAC Co. ltd.
Member Akihiro Shiota NTT DATA Corporation
  Teruaki Honma KDDI CORPORATION
  Saida Yoshinori NEC Corporation

(In no particular order)

Authors of September 1 2019 Edition

Leader

Jun Ogiso

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Toshimi Sawada Software Research Associates, Inc.
Kohei Suzuki Software Research Associates, Inc.
Akihiro Shiota NTT DATA Corporation
Teruaki Honma KDDI CORPORATION
Junki Hisamoto Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Nobuaki Yamaguchi Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.
Ito Takefumi Nihon System Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.

(In no particular order)

Authors of September 1, 2018 Edition

Leader

Akira Ando

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Toshimi Sawada Software Research Associates, Inc.
Kohei Suzuki Software Research Associates, Inc.
Teruaki Honma KDDI CORPORATION
Jun Ogiso Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Junki Hisamoto Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Nobuaki Yamaguchi Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Shigeru Yatabe Fomalhaut Techno Solutions

(In no particular order)

Authors of February 1, 2018 Edition

Leader

Akira Ando

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Ken Okuyma Android Security Japan
Eiji Hoshimoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Akihiro Shiota NTT DATA Corporation
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Ikuya Fukumoto Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (JPCERT/CC)
Mariko Yoshida Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Nobuaki Yamaguchi Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Jun Ogiso Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Junki Hisamoto Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Masahiro Kasahara SoftBank Corp.
Ito Takefumi Nihon System Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.
Shigeru Yatabe Fomalhaut Techno Solutions

(In no particular order)

Authors of February 1, 2017 Edition

Leader

Ken Okuyama

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Shigeharu Araki Android Security Japan
Eiji Shimano Android Security Japan
Akihiro Shiota NTT DATA Corporation
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Ikuya Fukumoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tomomi Ohuchi Software Research Associates, Inc.
Yoichi Yamanoi Software Research Associates, Inc.
Hidenori Yamaji Sony Corporation
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Jun Ogiso Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Masaru Matsunami Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Tetsuya Takahashi SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.

(In no particular order)

Authors of September 1, 2016 Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Shigeharu Araki Android Security Japan
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Ikuya Fukumoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tomomi Ohuchi Software Research Associates, Inc.
Hidenori Yamaji Sony Corporation
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Jun Ogiso Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Mitake Ohtani Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Daisuke Mitsuzono Nihon System Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.
Eiji Shimano Tao Software, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.

(In no particular order)

Authors of February 1, 2016 Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Masaomi Adachi Android Security Japan
Tohru Ohzono Cisco Systems, Inc.
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Masahiro Kasahara SoftBank Mobile Corp.
Eiji Hoshimoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Ikuya Fukumono Software Research Associates, Inc.
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Mitake Ohtani Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Muneaki Nishimura Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Setsuko Kaji Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Taeko Ito Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Hidenori Yamaji Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
Eiji Shimano Tao Software, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.

(In no particular order)

Authors of June 1, 2015 Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Tohru Ohzono Cisco Systems, Inc.
Akio Kondo BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Kazuma Mitake BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Kyosuke Imanishi BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Masato Shintani BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Naohiko Shimura BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Ryuji Fujita BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Shohei Hara BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Tomoyuki Fujisawa BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Yutaka Kawahara BRILLIANTSERVICE co., Ltd.
Shigeru Yatabe Fomalhaut Techno Solutions
Naonobu Yatsukawa Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Masahiro Kasahara SoftBank Mobile Corp.
Eiji Hoshimoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Muneaki Nishimura Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Eiji Shimano Tao Software, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.

(In no particular order)

Authors of July 1, 2014 English Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Tohru Ohzono Cisco Systems, Inc.
Shigeru Yatabe Fomalhaut Techno Solutions
Keisuke Takemori KDDI CORPORATION
Takamasa Isohara KDDI CORPORATION
Naonobu Yatsukawa Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Masahiro Kasahara SoftBank Mobile Corp.
Eiji Hoshimoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tsutomu Kumazawa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Setsuko Kaji Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Taeko Ito Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Yoshinori Kataoka Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Eiji Shimano Tao Software, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.
Michiyoshi Sato Tokyo System House Co., Ltd.

(In no particular order)

Authors of April 1, 2014 English Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Tomoyuki Hasegawa Android Security Japan
Mayumi Nishiyama BJIT Inc.
Tohru Ohzono Cisco Systems, Inc.
Masaki Kubo Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (JPCERT/CC)
Daniel Burrowes Kobe Digital Labo Inc.
Zachary Mathis Kobe Digital Labo Inc.
Renta Futamura NextGen, Inc.
Naonobu Yatsukawa Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Ikuya Fukumono Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tsutomu Kumazawa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Hiroko Nakajima Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Satoshi Fujimura Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Setsuko Kaji Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Taeko Ito Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Yoshinori Kataoka Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Hidenori Yamaji Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
Takuya Nishibayashi Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
Koji Isoda Symantec Japan, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.
Michiyoshi Sato Tokyo System House Co., Ltd.

(In no particular order)

Authors of April 1, 2013 Japanese Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Masaomi Adachi Android Security Japan
Tomoyuki Hasegawa Android Security Japan
Yuki Abe Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tomomi Oouchi Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tsutomu Kumazawa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Toshimi Sawada Software Research Associates, Inc.
Kiyoshi Hata Software Research Associates, Inc.
Youichi Higa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Yuu Fukui Software Research Associates, Inc.
Ikuya Fukumoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Eiji Hoshimoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Shun Yokoi Software Research Associates, Inc.
Takakazu Yoshizawa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Takeshi Fujiwara NRI SecureTechnologies, Ltd.
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Masaki Kubo Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Hiroshi Kumagai Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Yozo Toda Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Tohru Ohzono Cisco Systems, Inc.
Toru Asano Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ryohji Ikebe Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Jun Ogiso Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Yoshinori Kataoka Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Muneaki Nishimura Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Koji Furusawa Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Kenji Yamaoka Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.
Naonobu Yatsukawa Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
Shigeru Yatabe Fomalhaut Techno Solutions

(In no particular order)

Authors of November 1, 2012 Japanese Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Katsuhiko Sato Android Security Japan
Nakaguchi Akihiko Android Security Japan
Tomomi Oouchi Software Research Associates, Inc.
Naoyuki Ohira Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tsutomu Kumazawa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Miki Sekikawa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Seigo Nakano Software Research Associates, Inc.
Youichi Higa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Ikuya Fukumoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Eiji Hoshimoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Shoichi Yasuda Software Research Associates, Inc.
Tadayuki Yahiro Software Research Associates, Inc.
Takakazu Yoshizawa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Keisuke Takemori KDDI CORPORATION
Masaki Kubo Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Hiroshi Kumagai Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Yozo Toda Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Tohru Ohzono Cisco Systems, Inc.
Toru Asano Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ryohji Ikebe Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Shigeru Ichikawa Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Mitake Ohtani Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Jun Ogiso Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Yoshinori Kataoka Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ikue Sato Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Muneaki Nishimura Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Kazuo Yamaoka Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Takeru Kikkawa Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.
Eiji Shimano Tao Software, Inc.
Hisao Kitamura Tao Software, Inc.
Takao Yamakawa Japan Online Game Association
Masaki Ishihara Nihon System Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.
Yasuaki Mori Nihon System Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.
Naonobu Yatsukawa Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
Shigeru Yatabe Fomalhaut Techno Solutions
Shigeki Fujii UNIADEX, Ltd.

(In no particular order)

Authors of June 1, 2012 Japanese Edition

Leader

Masaru Matsunami

Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.

Member

Katsuhiko Sato Android Security Japan
Tomomi Oouchi Software Research Associates, Inc.
Youichi Higa Software Research Associates, Inc.
Eiji Hoshimoto Software Research Associates, Inc.
Shigenori Takei NTT Software Corporation
Masaaki Chida GREE, Inc.
Masaki Kubo Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Hiroshi Kumagai Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Yozo Toda Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(JPCERT/CC)
Tohru Ohzono Cisco Systems, Inc.
Yoichi Taguchi System House. ING Co., Ltd.
Masahiko Sakamoto Secure Sky Technology, Inc.
Akira Ando Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Shigeru Ichikawa Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Shigeru Ichikawa Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ken Okuyama Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Ikue Sato Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Muneaki Nishimura Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Kazuo Yamaoka Sony Digital Network Applications, Inc.
Gaku Taniguchi Tao Software, Inc.
Eiji Shimano Tao Software, Inc.
Hisao Kitamura Tao Software, Inc.
Michiyoshi Sato Tokyo System House Co., Ltd.
Masakazu Hattori Trend Micro Incorporated.
Naonobu Yatsukawa Nihon Unisys, Ltd.
Shigeru Yatabe Fomalhaut Techno Solutions
Shigeki Fujii UNIADEX, Ltd.

(In no particular order)