diff --git a/core/java/android/net/ConnectivityManager.java b/core/java/android/net/ConnectivityManager.java
index 05e179d7ca..f0fadbe372 100644
--- a/core/java/android/net/ConnectivityManager.java
+++ b/core/java/android/net/ConnectivityManager.java
@@ -1549,28 +1549,6 @@ public class ConnectivityManager {
         }
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Try to ensure the device stays awake until we connect with the next network.
-     * Actually just holds a wakelock for a number of seconds while we try to connect
-     * to any default networks.  This will expire if the timeout passes or if we connect
-     * to a default after this is called.  For internal use only.
-     *
-     * @param forWhom the name of the network going down for logging purposes
-     * @return {@code true} on success, {@code false} on failure
-     *
-     * <p>This method requires the call to hold the permission
-     * {@link android.Manifest.permission#CONNECTIVITY_INTERNAL}.
-     * {@hide}
-     */
-    public boolean requestNetworkTransitionWakelock(String forWhom) {
-        try {
-            mService.requestNetworkTransitionWakelock(forWhom);
-            return true;
-        } catch (RemoteException e) {
-            return false;
-        }
-    }
-
     /**
      * Report network connectivity status.  This is currently used only
      * to alter status bar UI.
diff --git a/core/java/android/net/IConnectivityManager.aidl b/core/java/android/net/IConnectivityManager.aidl
index 5f1ff3e1d9..51d9b8ca45 100644
--- a/core/java/android/net/IConnectivityManager.aidl
+++ b/core/java/android/net/IConnectivityManager.aidl
@@ -99,8 +99,6 @@ interface IConnectivityManager
 
     int setUsbTethering(boolean enable);
 
-    void requestNetworkTransitionWakelock(in String forWhom);
-
     void reportInetCondition(int networkType, int percentage);
 
     void reportBadNetwork(in Network network);
diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/ConnectivityService.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/ConnectivityService.java
index 87d28d35a2..8f6c46fa5e 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/ConnectivityService.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/ConnectivityService.java
@@ -3620,12 +3620,11 @@ public class ConnectivityService extends IConnectivityManager.Stub {
                 mTethering.getUpstreamIfaceTypes().length != 0);
     }
 
-    // An API NetworkStateTrackers can call when they lose their network.
-    // This will automatically be cleared after X seconds or a network becomes CONNECTED,
-    // whichever happens first.  The timer is started by the first caller and not
-    // restarted by subsequent callers.
-    public void requestNetworkTransitionWakelock(String forWhom) {
-        enforceConnectivityInternalPermission();
+    // Called when we lose the default network and have no replacement yet.
+    // This will automatically be cleared after X seconds or a new default network
+    // becomes CONNECTED, whichever happens first.  The timer is started by the
+    // first caller and not restarted by subsequent callers.
+    private void requestNetworkTransitionWakelock(String forWhom) {
         int serialNum = 0;
         synchronized (this) {
             if (mNetTransitionWakeLock.isHeld()) return;