App Permissions on Android & How to Control Them

Feeling unsure about Android app permissions? It’s right to be cautious, because Android permissions can give third-party apps intimate access to your private info. But some apps need permissions to function properly. Read on to learn which Android app permissions to avoid, which to allow, and how to control and protect your personal data with a dedicated security app.

What are Android app permissions?

Android app permissions can give apps control of your phone and access to your camera, microphone, private messages, conversations, photos, and more. App permission requests pop up the first time an app needs access to sensitive hardware or data on your phone or tablet and are usually privacy-related.

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Anytime you install an app from Google Play, you’ll likely see an app permission request. If you install a camera app, for example, it will need your permission to access your device’s camera before it can actually take photos. Other permissions can include monitoring your location, saving data, sending and receiving calls and texts, reading sensitive log data, or accessing your contacts, calendar, or browsing history. A typical Android app permissions request looks like this: The familiar Android app permissions request. Before Facebook Messenger can access your text messages, for example, you need to approve or deny the permission request.

What is the Android permissions controller?

The Android permissions controller is a part of the Android operating system that tells apps what they can and can’t access. When you install a new app, the Android permissions controller is what gives you the option to allow or deny permissions for that app.

Android app permissions to avoid

You should avoid app permissions that aren’t necessary for an app to work. If the app shouldn’t need access to something — like your camera or location — don’t allow it. Consider your privacy when deciding whether to avoid or accept an app permission request. Android system permissions are divided between “normal” and “dangerous” permissions. Android allows “normal” permissions — such as giving apps access to the internet — by default. That’s because normal permissions shouldn’t pose a risk to your privacy or your device’s functionality. It’s the “dangerous” permissions that Android requires your permission to use. These “dangerous” permissions include access to your calling history, private messages, location, camera, microphone, and more. These permissions are not inherently dangerous, but have the potential for misuse. That’s why Android gives you the opportunity to accept or refuse them. Some apps need these permissions. In those cases, check that an app is safe before you install it, and make sure the app comes from a reputable developer.

How to tell if an app permission is dangerous

• Body sensors
• Calendar
• Camera
• Contacts
• GPS location
• Microphone
• Calling
• Texting
• Storage

How to change Android app permissions

You can manage Android app permissions by checking which ones you currently have allowed and modifying them if necessary. You can also check Android app permissions in the Google Play store before you download an app. Here are four ways to change your app permissions on Android.

Check an app’s permissions before installing it

Maintain strict privacy standards by reviewing an app’s permissions before you install it. Here’s how to check Android app permissions in the Google Play store:

1. Open Google Play and find the app you’re interested in.
2. Scroll down and tap About this app.
3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap App permissions.
4. Here you can see all the permissions the app will request.

From here, you can decide whether you trust the app developer and feel comfortable with the app using these permissions. Choosing to use only apps with appropriate permissions is a great way to control Android app permissions right from the start.

See all permissions used by a specific app

Concerned about what a particular app can access on your phone? Here’s how to manage permissions on a specific app:

1. Open Settings and choose Apps & notifications.
2. Find and select the app you want to check permissions for.
3. Tap Permissions.
4. Now you can see all the app’s permissions. To change a specific permission, tap it.
5. Here you can delete any permissions you aren’t comfortable with.

Apps do require some permissions to work properly. If you deny Google Maps access to your location, it can’t give you directions and also won’t be able to personalize your map searches based on your location.

Here you can also choose to allow permissions all the time, only when the app is in use, or only if you allow it each time.

See all apps that use a specific permission

If you’d rather take a look at the Android app permissions list and choose something specific — like access to your location or contacts — and then view all apps that have that access, this can help you get control of your privacy on Android.

Here’s how to access the app permissions list to see all apps that use a specific permission:

1. Open Settings and tap Apps & notifications.
2. Tap Permission manager to open the Android permission controller app.
3. Click a specific permission from the app permissions list that you’re interested in, like location.
4. Here you’ll see apps that have access to your location all the time or only while in use. To remove access, tap a particular app.
5. Manage the Android app’s permissions by choosing its level of access here.

Use a security tool to see app permissions

An easy way to manage your Android app permissions is to use a security tool to help with the process. Not only does AVG AntiVirus for Android help you take control of your Android app permissions, it also protects your phone against malware, theft, and unsafe Wi-Fi networks.

Here’s how to use AVG AntiVirus to see app permissions:

Download and install AVG AntiVirus FREE for Android.