Managing App Permissions on Android: What to Allow, Restrict or Remove

Android applications often need access to parts of your phone to work properly. A camera app needs permission to use the camera, a navigation service needs your location and a messaging app may need access to your microphone, contacts or notifications.

The difficulty is deciding when a request is reasonable.

Approving every prompt without reading it can expose more personal information than necessary. Refusing everything can break useful features or cause an app to repeatedly request access. The best approach is to give each application only the permissions it genuinely needs, and only for as long as it needs them.

Android provides several ways to review, limit and remove access without uninstalling the app.

What Is an App Permission?

An app permission controls whether an application can access particular information, hardware or functions on your phone.

Common permission categories include:

• Camera
• Microphone
• Location
• Contacts
• Calendar
• Phone
• Call logs
• SMS
• Photos and videos
• Music and audio
• Nearby devices
• Notifications
• Physical activity
• Files and documents

Android separates sensitive access from ordinary application functions so that you can approve or deny it. Google describes Android permissions as controls that increase user awareness and limit applications’ access to sensitive information. 

The permissions available depend on your Android version, phone manufacturer and the app itself.

Why Permissions Matter

A permission is not automatically dangerous. The question is whether the access matches the app’s purpose.

For example:

• A video-calling app reasonably needs the camera and microphone.
• A navigation app may need precise location while you are travelling.
• A photo editor may need access to selected pictures.
• A weather app might need approximate location.
• A calculator should not normally need contacts, call logs or precise location.

An application requesting access outside its obvious purpose deserves closer inspection.

Poorly chosen permissions can lead to:

• Unnecessary collection of location data
• Exposure of photographs or contacts
• Unwanted microphone or camera access
• Excessive notifications
• Access to nearby Bluetooth devices
• Greater damage if an account or app is compromised
• Increased battery or data use

Permissions are only one part of privacy. An app may also collect information you deliberately enter, data linked to your account or details transmitted through its service.

How to Review Permissions for One App

The most direct route is:

Settings > Apps > Select the app > Permissions

On some phones, you may need to choose See all apps before selecting the application.

Android then separates permissions into categories such as:

• Allowed
• Not allowed
• Accessed recently

Tap a permission to change it.

Google’s current instructions follow this same process: open Settings, choose Apps, select the app and open Permissions. 

Another quick method is to press and hold an app’s icon, select App info and then open Permissions.

Menu names differ slightly across Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, Xiaomi and other Android devices.

Review Permissions by Category

You can also see every application with access to a particular part of the phone.

Open:

Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy > Permission manager

Depending on your device, the route may instead be:

Settings > Privacy > Permission manager

Select a category such as:

• Camera
• Microphone
• Location
• Contacts
• Photos and videos

You will normally see which apps are:

• Allowed all the time
• Allowed only while in use
• Required to ask each time
• Not allowed

This is often quicker than opening every application individually.

For example, selecting Microphone lets you identify all apps capable of recording audio. Selecting Location shows which applications can access your position and under what conditions.

Use the Privacy Dashboard

The Privacy Dashboard shows which apps have recently accessed sensitive permissions.

Open:

Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy > Privacy dashboard

Choose a permission such as camera, microphone or location to see a timeline of recent access.

Google says the Privacy Dashboard can show which applications accessed a permission and allows you to update their access directly from the list. 

This is particularly useful when:

• The camera or microphone indicator appears unexpectedly.
• Battery use suggests an app is active in the background.
• You want to know which app recently checked your location.
• An application behaves differently after an update.
• You are reviewing a newly installed app.

Recent access does not automatically mean misuse. A weather widget may update your location, or a voice assistant may briefly use the microphone after activation. The timeline helps you determine whether the access makes sense.

Understand the Permission Choices

Android may offer more than a simple Allow or Deny choice.

Allow only while using the app

The app receives access while it is open or actively being used.

This is often the best setting for:

• Camera access
• Microphone access
• Location-based applications
• QR scanners
• Photo tools
• Video-calling services

Ask every time

Android asks you to approve access whenever the application needs it.

This can work well for apps you rarely use or do not completely trust, although repeated prompts may become inconvenient.

Allow all the time

The app can use the permission in the background.

This option is most commonly associated with location and should be reserved for applications that genuinely need continuous access, such as:

• Device-finding services
• Location-sharing tools you deliberately use
• Certain safety applications
• Some journey-tracking or automation services

Many apps do not need background location merely because they offer location-based features.

Don’t allow

The application cannot use that permission.

Some functions may stop working, but you can grant permission later if needed.

Use Approximate Location Where Possible

Android may allow you to choose between precise and approximate location.

Precise location can identify your position much more closely. Approximate location provides a broader area that may still be sufficient for:

• Local weather
• Regional news
• Nearby content
• General search results
• Retail availability

Precise location is more appropriate for:

• Turn-by-turn navigation
• Emergency or safety services
• Ride-hailing
• Delivery tracking
• Finding a lost device

Google’s location-permission controls allow users to review the type of location access requested by an application. 

Start with approximate location and enable precise access only when a feature genuinely requires it.

Limit Access to Selected Photos

Newer Android versions can allow an app to access only selected photos and videos instead of the entire media library.

This is useful when uploading:

• A profile picture
• A receipt
• A document
• A small set of holiday photos
• An image for editing

When Android presents a photo-selection screen, choose only the items required for that task.

Avoid granting complete library access to an app that needs just one image unless repeated selection would genuinely make the app impractical.

Review Camera and Microphone Access

Camera and microphone permissions deserve particular attention because they allow an app to capture information from your surroundings.

Review which apps currently have access through Permission Manager.

Reasonable examples include:

• Camera applications
• Video-conferencing services
• Voice recorders
• Messaging apps with voice notes
• Accessibility or translation tools you deliberately use

Question access from:

• Games with no voice feature
• Basic utilities
• Wallpaper apps
• Torch applications
• Simple calculators
• Unknown file managers

Android devices also display privacy indicators when the camera or microphone is active. If an indicator appears unexpectedly, open the Privacy Dashboard to identify the recent user.

Use the Global Camera and Microphone Controls

Many Android phones include quick controls that disable camera or microphone access across the device.

Open Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen. Look for controls such as:

• Camera access
• Microphone access
• Sensors off

Turning off camera or microphone access can immediately block applications from using that sensor.

This is helpful during:

• Sensitive meetings
• Private conversations
• Travel
• Testing an unfamiliar app
• Troubleshooting unexpected access

Remember to restore access before joining a video call, recording audio or using the camera.

Be Selective With Contacts Access

Contacts permission can reveal names, phone numbers, email addresses and other details about people who never chose to use the app.

Messaging and calling services may use contacts to identify other users. However, many applications can still function without uploading or reading your address book.

Before allowing contact access, ask:

• Is finding existing contacts a core feature?
• Can I add people manually instead?
• Will the application upload my address book?
• Does the app explain why it needs access?
• Is this a trusted service?

Removing contacts permission may stop name matching or contact suggestions without preventing the app from operating entirely.

Treat SMS and Call-Log Access Carefully

SMS and call-log permissions can expose highly sensitive information, including:

• Verification codes
• Phone numbers
• Message content
• Call history
• Account alerts
• Personal conversations

Google Play places additional restrictions on apps requesting high-risk or sensitive permissions such as SMS and call-log access. Developers may be required to justify their use during the Play review process. 

Only grant these permissions when they clearly support the application’s main purpose.

A phone dialler, messaging app or call-backup service may have a valid reason. An ordinary game, wallpaper app or image editor usually does not.

Manage Notification Permission

Newer versions of Android require many apps to ask before sending notifications.

You can manage this under:

Settings > Notifications > App notifications

Or:

Settings > Apps > Select the app > Notifications

Notifications are not only an annoyance issue. They can reveal:

• Message contents
• Appointment details
• Account activity
• Delivery information
• Security codes
• Personal names

For each app, decide whether it needs to:

• Send notifications at all
• Make a sound
• vibrate
• Appear on the Lock Screen
• Show pop-ups
• Display notification badges

Where available, disable promotional categories while keeping important operational alerts.

For example, a shopping app may separate delivery updates from offers and recommendations.

Review Nearby-Device Access

Nearby-device permission can cover features involving Bluetooth, nearby connections or compatible accessories.

It may be required for:

• Headphones
• Smartwatches
• Fitness devices
• Car systems
• Wireless speakers
• Home-automation products
• Device setup

Do not approve it automatically for an application that has no obvious reason to discover or communicate with nearby hardware.

Removing the permission may stop pairing, scanning or automatic reconnection.

Review Physical-Activity Permission

Fitness, health and navigation applications may request access to physical-activity information.

This can help them detect:

• Walking
• Running
• Cycling
• Step counts
• Movement patterns

The access may be legitimate for a fitness tracker, but unnecessary for unrelated games or utilities.

Health-related access should also be reviewed within Health Connect where it is available. Health Connect manages sharing between compatible health and fitness applications separately from ordinary app permissions.

Check Calendar Permission

Calendar access may allow an application to read or add appointments.

Reasonable examples include:

• Calendar applications
• Booking services
• Meeting tools
• Travel planners
• Task-management software

Be cautious when an app requests full calendar access simply to create one reminder. Some apps can add a calendar event through a one-time system prompt without receiving permanent access to the whole calendar.

Calendar entries may contain meeting locations, customer names, travel details and confidential notes.

Understand Special App Access

Some powerful forms of access do not appear in the ordinary permission list.

Search Settings for:

Special app access

This section may include controls for:

• Display over other apps
• Install unknown apps
• Notification access
• Device-admin apps
• Modify system settings
• Picture-in-picture
• Usage access
• All-files access
• Unrestricted battery use
• Do Not Disturb access
• Accessibility services
• VPN access

These settings can give an application substantial control and should be reviewed carefully.

Display Over Other Apps

This permission allows an app to place content above other applications.

It is used legitimately by:

• Chat bubbles
• Password managers
• Accessibility tools
• Screen-dimming utilities
• Caller-identification services

However, malicious apps may misuse overlays to imitate login screens, conceal information or trick users into pressing something else.

Grant overlay access only to trusted apps with a clear reason.

Accessibility Access

Accessibility services can read screen content, observe actions and sometimes control parts of the device.

These capabilities are essential for users who rely on accessibility tools, but they can also be abused by malicious or deceptive applications.

Be especially cautious when an unfamiliar app instructs you to:

• Enable an accessibility service
• Ignore a security warning
• Allow restricted settings
• Grant control to “improve performance”
• Enable access before the app will work

Google warns that harmful apps may ask users to change restricted settings in ways that put the device or data at risk. 

Do not enable accessibility access merely to bypass an installation restriction.

Notification Access

Notification access allows an app to read notifications generated by other applications.

Legitimate uses include:

• Smartwatch companion apps
• Notification-history tools
• Car interfaces
• Automation software

The permission may expose:

• Message previews
• Security alerts
• Email subjects
• Authentication codes
• Banking notifications

Only approve it for services you trust completely.

Install Unknown Apps

This setting allows an application to install software from outside Google Play.

A browser or file manager may request this when you deliberately install an APK file. It should normally be disabled again afterwards.

Installing apps from unknown sources increases risk because the software may not have undergone Google Play’s normal checks.

For most users, applications should come from Google Play or another trusted, officially supported store.

All-Files Access

Some file managers, backup tools and antivirus products may request broad access to shared storage.

This is more powerful than selecting individual photos or documents.

Before allowing it, confirm that:

• Broad storage management is central to the app.
• The developer is reputable.
• A narrower permission will not work.
• You downloaded the app from a trusted source.

A simple photo editor or document viewer rarely needs access to every file.

Usage Access

Usage access allows an application to see information about how other apps are used.

It may support:

• Digital-wellbeing tools
• Parental controls
• Automation services
• Security monitoring
• Launchers

It can reveal which apps you use and when, so it should not be granted casually.

Device-Administrator Access

Device-admin applications may receive powerful controls related to locking, security or device management.

This can be appropriate for:

• Business mobile-device management
• Device-security software
• Enterprise email policies
• Lost-device protection

Do not grant it to an unknown cleaning, optimisation or battery-saving app.

Device-admin access can also make an app harder to uninstall until the permission is removed.

VPN Access

A VPN can route network traffic through its service.

That does not automatically mean the provider can read every encrypted connection, but the provider occupies a highly trusted position and can influence routing, DNS and filtering.

Use VPN services from reputable organisations and avoid approving unexpected VPN requests from unrelated apps.

Business-managed devices may use a company VPN that should not be removed without speaking to IT.

Understand Restricted Settings

Android may block certain powerful settings when an application was installed from an unfamiliar source.

An app may then instruct you to open its information page and choose Allow restricted settings.

Treat that request as a serious warning.

Restricted settings can involve high-impact capabilities, including accessibility and notification access. Google introduced these protections because harmful applications may try to persuade users to enable settings that expose the device or its data. 

Only proceed when:

• You know exactly where the app came from.
• You trust the developer.
• You understand the permission.
• The feature genuinely requires it.
• You have verified that the app is authentic.

Let Android Remove Permissions From Unused Apps

Android can automatically remove sensitive permissions from applications that have not been used for an extended period.

Open:

Settings > Apps > Select the app

Look for an option such as:

• Pause app activity if unused
• Remove permissions if app is unused
• Manage app if unused

Google’s current guidance states that unused-app settings can pause app activity and automatically remove permissions. 

Android’s app-hibernation system may also force-stop unused applications, optimise their storage use and reset permissions. 

Leave this feature enabled for most apps.

Possible exceptions include applications used infrequently but expected to remain active, such as:

• Emergency services
• Travel apps
• Specialist authentication tools
• Annual financial applications
• Certain smart-home systems

Review the security implications before exempting an app.

Understand Why an App Asks Again

An app may request a permission you previously denied because:

• You attempted to use a related feature.
• The app was reinstalled.
• Its data was cleared.
• Android removed permissions after long inactivity.
• The app received a major update.
• You selected Ask every time.
• The phone was restored or replaced.

A repeated prompt does not mean you must approve it.

Read the reason given and decide whether the requested feature is worth the access.

Check the Google Play Data Safety Section

Before installing an application, review its Google Play listing.

The Data safety section can describe:

• Types of data collected
• Whether data is shared
• Security practices
• Data-deletion options
• Whether data collection is optional

Google requires developers to provide information about data collection, sharing and protection for display in the Data safety section. 

Treat this as useful information rather than an absolute guarantee. The details are supplied by the developer and should be considered alongside:

• The app’s permissions
• The developer’s reputation
• Independent reviews
• Its privacy policy
• Whether the requested access matches its purpose

Read the Permission Prompt Properly

When Android requests a permission, avoid pressing Allow automatically.

Ask:

1. What feature triggered the request?
2. Does the app need this information?
3. Can I allow it only while using the app?
4. Can I choose approximate instead of precise location?
5. Can I select individual photos?
6. Can the task be completed without permanent access?
7. Do I trust the developer?

When you are unsure, select Don’t allow. You can always change the setting later.

Do Not Use a Third-Party Permission Manager Without a Good Reason

Android already includes a built-in Permission Manager and Privacy Dashboard.

An additional permission-management app may request powerful access of its own, including usage data, accessibility access or device administration.

For most people, the built-in Android controls are safer and sufficient.

Specialist enterprise or security software may provide legitimate centralised management, but consumer “permission cleaner” apps should be assessed carefully.

Remove Apps You Do Not Trust

Revoking permissions can limit an app, but it does not make untrustworthy software safe.

Uninstall an application when:

• Its permission requests do not match its purpose.
• It repeatedly pushes you to enable risky settings.
• It came from an unknown source.
• It displays intrusive advertisements outside the app.
• It has no clear developer identity.
• It behaves suspiciously after permissions are denied.
• You no longer use it.

Keeping fewer applications installed reduces the number of services that can access data, run in the background or introduce security problems.

Keep Android and Apps Updated

Security and privacy controls improve over time. Updates can also fix cases where an app requests incorrect permissions or behaves badly after access is denied.

Regularly update:

• Android
• Google Play system components
• Google Play services
• Installed apps
• Manufacturer security patches

Install applications from trusted stores and keep Google Play Protect enabled unless a qualified administrator has a specific reason to change it.

Permissions on Work-Managed Devices

Business phones may be controlled through mobile-device management.

An organisation may:

• Require particular security apps
• Prevent some permissions from being changed
• Install business applications
• Separate work and personal profiles
• Restrict copying between profiles
• Control camera, storage or location functions
• Remove company data remotely

Do not attempt to bypass management controls.

When a business application requests unexpected access, contact the organisation’s IT team or data-protection lead.

A Practical Permission Audit

You can perform a useful privacy review in around 15 minutes.

Review location

Open Permission Manager and inspect every app with:

• All-the-time access
• Precise location
• Recent background access

Change unnecessary apps to While using, Ask every time or Don’t allow.

Review camera and microphone

Remove access from apps that have no clear reason to record or capture content.

Review contacts and phone access

Pay particular attention to social, shopping, gaming and utility apps.

Review photos and files

Replace complete-library access with selected-photo access where possible.

Review special access

Check:

• Accessibility
• Notification access
• Display over other apps
• Install unknown apps
• Device administrators
• Usage access
• VPNs

Remove unused apps

Uninstall anything you no longer recognise or need.

What Not to Do

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Approving every request during installation
• Denying every permission without considering app functionality
• Granting all-the-time location unnecessarily
• Enabling accessibility because an app tells you to
• Allowing unknown apps to install software permanently
• Installing multiple “permission cleaner” utilities
• Disabling system protections to make an app work
• Assuming a popular app needs every permission it requests
• Leaving unused apps installed indefinitely

A Sensible Permission Policy

A well-managed Android phone generally follows these principles:

• Camera and microphone: Allow only while using
• Location: Approximate unless precise is necessary
• Background location: Approved only for essential features
• Photos and videos: Selected items where possible
• Contacts: Limited to genuine communication services
• SMS and call logs: Restricted to core phone or messaging functions
• Notifications: Enabled only for useful categories
• Accessibility: Trusted specialist apps only
• Install unknown apps: Normally disabled
• Unused-app controls: Enabled
• Special access: Reviewed regularly

Take Control Without Breaking Your Apps

Managing Android permissions does not mean refusing everything. It means matching access to the task.

A trusted navigation app may need precise location during a journey. A video-call service needs the camera and microphone during a meeting. Neither necessarily needs unlimited access at all times.

Use Android’s Permission Manager to review access by category, the Privacy Dashboard to investigate recent activity and unused-app controls to remove permissions automatically. Pay particular attention to special access such as accessibility, notification reading, overlays and unknown-app installation.

A few minutes spent reviewing permissions can reduce unnecessary data exposure without making the phone difficult to use.

Hamilton Group can help businesses configure secure Android devices, work profiles, application controls and mobile-device management policies.

Call 0330 043 0069 or visit hgmssp.com to speak with one of our experts.