You can allow some apps to use various features on your device, such as your camera or contacts list. An app will send a notification to ask for permission to use features on your device, which you can Allow or Deny. You can also change permissions for a single app or by permission type in your device's settings.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Change app permissions
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the app you want to change. If you can't find it, tap See all apps. Then, choose your app.
- Tap Permissions.
- If you allowed or denied any permissions for the app, you’ll find them here.
- To change a permission setting, tap it, then choose Allow or Don't allow.
For location, camera, and microphone permissions, you may be able to choose:
- All the time: For location only. The app can use the permission at any time, even when you’re not using the app.
- Allow only while using the app: The app can use the permission only when you're using that app.
- Ask every time: Every time you open the app, it'll ask to use the permission. It can use the permission until you’re done with the app.
- Don't allow: The app cannot use the permission, even when you’re using the app.
Change permissions based on their type
You can check which apps have the same permission setting. For example, you can check which apps have permission to view your calendar.
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Security & Privacy
Privacy Permission manager. - Tap a permission type.
- If you allowed or denied permission to any apps, you’ll find them here.
- To change an app’s permission, tap the app, then choose your permission settings.
Privacy Below is a list of permissions and what they do when turned on for an app.
- Body sensors: Access sensor info about your vital signs.
- Calendar: Access your calendar.
- Call logs: Read and write your phone call log.
- Camera: Take pictures and record videos.
- Contacts: Access your contacts.
- Files: Access all files on your device.
- Location: Access your device’s location. Learn about location settings.
- Microphone: Record audio.
- Music and audio: Access music and other audio files on your device.
- Nearby devices: Find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices.
- Notifications: Send notifications.
- Phone: Make and manage phone calls.
- Photos and videos: Access photos and videos on your device.
- Physical activity: Access your physical activity, like walking, biking, driving, step count, and more.
- SMS: Send and view SMS messages.
Automatically remove permissions for unused apps
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the app you want to change.
- If you can't find it, tap See all apps. Then, choose your app.
- Under "Unused app settings," turn on Pause app activity if unused.
Disable camera or microphone access on your device
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Security & privacy Privacy Privacy controls.
- Turn off Camera access or Microphone access.
Privacy Related resources
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Try these next steps:
Certainly! This article provides a comprehensive guide on managing app permissions on Android devices, particularly focusing on Android 11 and above. The steps provided illustrate how users can control and modify permissions for various apps based on their preferences.
Here's an overview and breakdown of the concepts and actions covered in the article:
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App Permissions Overview: The article discusses the importance of app permissions and how apps request access to specific features like camera, contacts, location, etc.
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Permission Modification Process: It details the step-by-step process to change app permissions:
- Access Settings on the device.
- Navigate to the 'Apps' section.
- Choose a specific app and access its permissions.
- Modify individual permissions by allowing or denying them.
- Offers different options for location, camera, and microphone permissions: All the time, Only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don't allow.
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Changing Permissions Based on Type: Users can check which apps have the same permission settings and modify them accordingly. This involves:
- Accessing 'Security & Privacy' or 'Permission manager' in Settings.
- Selecting a permission type (e.g., calendar, contacts).
- Modifying app permissions within that category.
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Types of Permissions Explained: The article lists various types of permissions and their functionalities when enabled for an app. Some examples include:
- Body sensors: Access to vital sign sensor information.
- Calendar: Access to the device's calendar.
- Camera: Ability to take pictures and record videos.
- Contacts: Access to the device's contact list.
- Location: Access to the device's location.
- Microphone: Recording audio, and more.
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Automatically Removing Permissions for Unused Apps: It provides steps to manage unused apps:
- Accessing 'Apps' in Settings.
- Choosing an app.
- Enabling 'Pause app activity if unused' under "Unused app settings."
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Disabling Camera or Microphone Access: The article guides users to turn off camera or microphone access via the 'Privacy controls' in 'Security & privacy' settings.
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Related Resources: Finally, the article offers additional resources related to managing apps on Android devices, such as downloading, deleting, or changing app language.
This comprehensive guide empowers users to understand, review, and modify app permissions based on their preferences and device settings, enhancing control and privacy management on their Android devices.
