diff --git a/app/build.gradle b/app/build.gradle
index a8d3d9ca2..689a3ae19 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle
+++ b/app/build.gradle
@@ -139,13 +139,13 @@ dependencies {
 
     implementation "androidx.multidex:multidex:$MULTIDEX_VERSION"
 
-    def work_version = "2.6.0"
+    def work_version = "2.4.0"
     // Kotlin + coroutines
     implementation "androidx.work:work-runtime-ktx:$work_version"
 }
 
 android {
-    compileSdkVersion 30
+    compileSdkVersion 28
 
     defaultConfig {
         //applicationId 'fr.free.nrw.commons'
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ android {
         setProperty("archivesBaseName", "app-commons-v$versionName-" + getBranchName())
 
         minSdkVersion 19
-        targetSdkVersion 30
+        targetSdkVersion 29
         testInstrumentationRunner "androidx.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
         testInstrumentationRunnerArguments clearPackageData: 'true'
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 7c8d583b9..cc6576aad 100644
--- a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.apps.photos.permission.GOOGLE_PHOTOS" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SET_WALLPAPER"/>
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />
-    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE"/>
-
 
 
     <!-- Needed only if your app targets Android 5.0 (API level 21) or higher. -->
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/MainActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/MainActivity.java
index e68feb883..c973be361 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/MainActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/contributions/MainActivity.java
@@ -1,13 +1,9 @@
 package fr.free.nrw.commons.contributions;
 
-import android.Manifest.permission;
 import android.app.Activity;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.SharedPreferences;
-import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
-import android.os.Build.VERSION;
-import android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.view.Menu;
 import android.view.MenuItem;
@@ -46,7 +42,6 @@ import fr.free.nrw.commons.quiz.QuizChecker;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.settings.SettingsFragment;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.theme.BaseActivity;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.upload.worker.UploadWorker;
-import fr.free.nrw.commons.utils.PermissionUtils;
 import fr.free.nrw.commons.utils.ViewUtilWrapper;
 import javax.inject.Inject;
 import javax.inject.Named;
@@ -143,31 +138,15 @@ public class MainActivity  extends BaseActivity
 
     private void setUpPager() {
         tabLayout.setOnNavigationItemSelectedListener(item -> {
-            if (VERSION.SDK_INT >= VERSION_CODES.M) {
-                if (item.getTitle().equals(getString(R.string.nearby_fragment))
-                    && checkSelfPermission(permission.READ_PHONE_STATE)
-                    != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
-                    requestPhoneStatePermission(() -> {
-                        tabLayout.setSelectedItemId(NavTab.NEARBY.code());
-                    });
-                    return false;
-                }
-            }
             if (!item.getTitle().equals("More")) {
                 // do not change title for more fragment
                 setTitle(item.getTitle());
             }
             Fragment fragment = NavTab.of(item.getOrder()).newInstance();
-            return loadFragment(fragment, true);
+            return loadFragment(fragment,true);
         });
     }
 
-    private void requestPhoneStatePermission(final Runnable runnable) {
-        PermissionUtils.checkPermissionsAndPerformAction(this,
-            android.Manifest.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE, (Runnable) runnable::run, (Runnable) () -> {
-            }, R.string.need_permission, R.string.read_phone_state_permission_message);
-    }
-
     private void setUpLoggedOutPager() {
         loadFragment(ExploreFragment.newInstance(),false);
         tabLayout.setOnNavigationItemSelectedListener(item -> {
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 8ef0b67cf..a8187becc 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -646,7 +646,5 @@ Upload your first media by tapping on the add button.</string>
   <string name="learn_more">LEARN MORE</string>
   <string name="wlm_campaign_title">Wiki Loves Monuments</string>
   <string name="wlm_campaign_description">Wiki Loves Monuments is an international photo contest for monuments organised by Wikimedia</string>
-  <string name="need_permission">Need Permission</string>
-  <string name="read_phone_state_permission_message">Nearby maps need to read PHONE STATE to function properly</string>
 
 </resources>