Change app permissions on your Android phone

You can allow some apps to use various features on your phone, such as your camera or contacts list. An app will send a notification to ask for permission to use features on your phone, which you can Allow or Deny. You can also change permissions for a single app or by permission type in your phone's Settings.

Important: Some of these steps only work on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Change app permissions 

1. On your phone, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap the app that you want to change. If you can't find it, tap See all apps. Then, choose your app.
4. Tap Permissions.
   • If you allowed or denied any permissions for the app, you’ll find them here.
5. 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 you to use the permission. It can use the permission until you’ve finished 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

You can check which apps have the same permission setting. For example, you can check which apps have permission to view your calendar. 

1. On your phone, open the settings app.
2. Tap Privacy  Permission manager.
3. Tap a permission type.
   • If you allowed or denied permission to any apps, you’ll find them here.
4. 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, cycling, 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

1. On your phone, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap the app that you want to change.
   • If you can't find it, tap See all apps. Then, choose your app.
4. Under 'Unused app settings', turn on Pause app activity if unused.

Disable camera or microphone access on your device

1. On your phone, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Privacy.
3. Turn off Camera access or Microphone access.

Related resources

• Download apps to your Android device
• Delete or disable apps on Android