# Start

> Make your phone yours! Get the news you care about whenever you wake your phone

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.celltick.lockscreen](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.celltick.lockscreen)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.celltick.lockscreen`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Taboola News
- **Category:** PERSONALIZATION
- **Downloads:** 137,121,426
- **Rating:** 3.53 / 5 (246,824 ratings)
- **Version:** 7.5.2
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-30
- **First published:** 2012-08-01
- **Publisher country:** IL
- **Size:** 25 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-12
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.celltick.lockscreen)
- **Website:** [https://www.taboola.com/taboola-news](https://www.taboola.com/taboola-news)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.taboola.com/policies/privacy-policy-start-magazine](https://www.taboola.com/policies/privacy-policy-start-magazine)

## Description

Start is your ultimate phone companion giving instant access to news, sports, entertainment, business, and viral videos without complex menus. Key features include a vast wallpaper gallery, built-in music player with playlist creation, real-time weather updates, easy selfies from the home screen, intelligent smart search, integrated social networks, caller ID for unknown numbers, and an intelligent notifications manager prioritizing what's important to you. Designed to simplify your digital life, Start brings all the essential content and utilities to one screen, making your phone uniquely yours.

## Rankings

- #1,055 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_TOPICS`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NOTIFICATION_POLICY`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.DISABLE_KEYGUARD`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.KILL_BACKGROUND_PROCESSES`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.START_ACTIVITIES_FROM_BACKGROUND`
- `android.permission.STOP_APP_SWITCHES`
- `android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW`
- `android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC`
- `android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS`
- `android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.celltick.lockscreen.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`
- `com.celltick.lockscreen.permission.C2D_MESSAGE`
- `com.celltick.lockscreen.permission.CONTROL`
- `com.celltick.lockscreen.permission.CheckAppStatus`
- `com.celltick.lockscreen.permission.DELAYED_ACTIVATION`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.gallery3d.permission.GALLERY_PROVIDER`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES`
- `com.lge.qmemoplus.activity.permission.START_CAPTURE_PLUS`

## Review summary

User reviews are overwhelmingly negative. The app is repeatedly described as preinstalled, intrusive, and impossible or very difficult to remove, often taking over the device and running continuously, which wastes battery and slows the phone. Popups and a poor, hard-to-navigate user experience further frustrate users. A small number mention positive experiences with photos, but uninstallability and intrusion are the dominant themes.

### Cons

- Cannot uninstall or disable; uninstaller stops and the app reinstalls itself.
- Preinstalled on devices (e.g., BLU, ZTE) and takes over the phone.
- Runs continuously (24/7) and drains battery / slows device.
- Intrusive with popups/notifications and hard to navigate.
- Not user-friendly; localization/language issues (English) mentioned.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.celltick.lockscreen)