This Article Focuses on How to Change app permissions on your Android phone. Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open source software, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android is developed by a consortium of developers known as the Open Handset Alliance and commercially sponsored by Google. It was unveiled in November 2007, with the first commercial Android device, the HTC Dream, being launched in September 2008.
Most versions of Android are proprietary. The core components are taken from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which is free and open-source software (FOSS) primarily licensed under the Apache License. When Android is installed on devices, ability to modify the otherwise FOSS software is usually restricted, either by not providing the corresponding source code or preventing reinstallation through technical measures, rendering the installed version proprietary. Most Android devices ship with additional proprietary software pre-installed, most notably Google Mobile Services (GMS) which includes core apps such as Google Chrome, the digital distribution platform Google Play, and associated Google Play Services development platform.
Change app permissions on your Android phone
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Change app permissions
- On your phone, 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 (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 setting, even when you’re using the app.
Change permissions based on their type
- On your phone, open the Settings app.
- Tap 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.
Types of permissions
Below is a list of permissions and what they do when turned on for an app.
- Body sensors: Get sensor info about your vital signs.
- Calendar: Use your default calendar.
- Call logs: Access and change your call history.
- Camera: Use your camera to take pictures or videos.
- Contacts: Access your contacts list.
- Location: Gets your device’s location. Learn about location settings.
- Microphone: Record audio.
- Nearby Bluetooth devices: Apps can discover and connect to nearby devices. Learn how to find and set up nearby devices.
- Phone: Make and manage phone calls.
- Physical activity: Get info about your activity like walking, biking, step count, and more.
- SMS: Access incoming and send outgoing text messages.
- Storage: Get photos and other files on your phone.
- Files and media: Use photos, media, and other files on your phone.
Automatically remove permissions for unused apps
- On your phone, 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 apps,” turn on Remove permissions and free up space.
Disable camera or microphone access on your device
- On your phone, open the Settings app.
- Tap Privacy.
- Turn off Camera access or Microphone access.
