How to Check App Permissions on Android
Have you ever wondered which apps can access your camera, microphone, contacts, or location? Android gives you tools to review these permissions and decide what information apps can access.
Checking app permissions is a simple way to improve your privacy, reduce unnecessary access to personal information, and understand how apps work on your phone.
In this guide, you'll learn how to check app permissions on Android, change access settings, review recent permission activity, and decide which permissions an app really needs.
Note: Android menu names and available options can vary by version, phone manufacturer, and app. The instructions below follow Google's published Android guidance; check the steps on your own device because the exact screens have not been independently tested on every phone model.
Quick Answer: How Do You Check App Permissions on Android?
Open Settings on your Android phone.
Tap Apps.
Select the app you want to review. Tap See all apps if necessary.
Tap Permissions.
Review the permissions and select any permission you want to change.
You can also use Permission Manager to review which apps have access to a particular type of information, such as your camera, microphone, or location.
Official guide: Change app permissions on your Android phone.
What Are App Permissions on Android?
App permissions control whether an application can access certain features or information on your device.
For example, a navigation app may need location access to provide directions, while a messaging app may request microphone access for voice messages or calls.
Android restricts access to sensitive resources, and supported permissions can be granted or denied by the user. However, not every permission works the same way, and some apps may need certain access to provide their main features.
Here are some common Android permissions:
Camera: Allows an app to use the camera.
Microphone: Allows an app to record audio.
Location: Allows an app to access your device's location, subject to the permission granted.
Contacts: Allows an app to access your contacts.
Photos and videos: Allows access to supported photo or video content.
Notifications: Controls whether an app can send notifications on Android versions that provide this permission.
Calendar: Allows access to calendar information.
Nearby devices: Allows certain interactions with nearby devices.
The available permission categories and their names can differ across Android versions.
Method 1: Check Permissions for an Individual App
This method is useful when you want to inspect a specific application, such as a social media app, game, browser, or photo editor.
Step 1: Open Settings
Unlock your phone and open the Settings app.
You can usually find Settings in your app drawer or by opening the Quick Settings panel and tapping the gear icon.
Step 2: Open the Apps Menu
Scroll through Settings and tap Apps.
Depending on your device, the option might be called Apps & notifications, Applications, or something similar.
If you cannot find it, use the search field in Settings and search for “Apps.”
Step 3: Select the App
Find the app you want to check.
On some phones, you may need to tap See all apps to display the full list.
For this example, imagine that you want to review a social media application. Select that app from the list.
Step 4: Open Permissions
On the app information screen, look for Permissions and tap it.
You'll see the permissions that are available for that app and their current status.
For example, the app may have camera access allowed, microphone access denied, and location access allowed only while the app is in use.
Your actual results will depend on the app, your device, and the permissions it supports.
Step 5: Review Each Permission
Tap a permission to see the available choices.
Depending on the permission and Android version, you may see options such as:
Allow
Allow only while using the app
Ask every time
Don't allow
Not every permission offers all these choices. For example, background location access has different behavior from camera access.
Choose the option that best matches how you use the app.
Tip: If you deny a permission, part of the app may stop working. You can return to the same settings screen later and change your decision.
Method 2: Check All Apps by Permission Type
If you want to review several apps at once, Permission Manager is often the more convenient option.
Instead of opening every application separately, you can select a category such as Location or Microphone and review which apps have access.
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to your phone's Settings app.
Step 2: Find Privacy or Security & Privacy
Look for Privacy, Security & privacy, or a similarly named section.
The exact menu depends on your Android version and phone manufacturer.
Step 3: Open Permission Manager
If your phone provides this option, tap Permission manager.
On some devices, it appears inside the Privacy section.
If you cannot find it, search Settings for “Permission manager” or follow Method 1 instead.
Step 4: Choose a Permission Category
Select a category such as:
Camera
Microphone
Location
Contacts
Calendar
Photos and videos
The categories available to you may differ by Android version.
Step 5: Review the Apps
Your phone should display relevant apps and their permission statuses.
Select an app to inspect or change its access.
This is a useful way to spot apps that have access you no longer want to grant.
Method 3: Review Recent Permission Activity
Some Android versions provide a feature called Privacy dashboard.
It can help you see which apps have accessed certain permissions and when that access occurred.
How to Open Privacy Dashboard
Open Settings.
Look for Security & privacy or Privacy.
Tap Privacy dashboard, if available.
Select a permission category, such as Location, Camera, or Microphone.
Review the apps shown and select one if you want to manage its permission.
Google documents different activity-history periods for different Android versions. For example, its guidance describes a seven-day history on Android 13 and a 24-hour history on Android 12 for the relevant dashboard view.
The dashboard and its history are not identical on every device. If you don't see this feature, use your app permission settings instead.
Official guide: Manage permissions from the privacy dashboard.
Which App Permissions Should You Review First?
Not every permission is dangerous. The important question is whether the access makes sense for the app's purpose.
Here are some examples of what to check.
1. Location
Location access can help navigation, weather, delivery, and mapping apps provide useful information.
However, consider whether an app needs your location when you aren't using it.
Where available, choose Allow only while using the app instead of continuous access if that meets your needs. You may also have an option to allow approximate rather than precise location.
A navigation app may reasonably need location access while you're travelling. A simple calculator usually has no obvious need for it.
2. Camera
Camera permission is useful for video calls, scanning documents, taking photos, and similar tasks.
If an app rarely or never uses the camera, consider denying access until you need it.
You may need to grant the permission again when using a feature that requires the camera.
3. Microphone
Microphone access is relevant to voice calls, voice messages, recording, and speech recognition.
Review apps that have microphone permission and remove access when it isn't necessary for the features you use.
Some voice-related functions may not work when access is denied.
4. Contacts
Contacts permission can allow an app to read contact information.
Messaging and communication apps may use this permission to find people you know. However, an app that has no clear reason to use your contacts deserves closer inspection.
If you don't want to share your address book, deny access and see whether the app still meets your needs.
5. Photos and Videos
Photo permissions can allow apps to access images and videos.
If you only need to upload one image, check whether your phone or app offers a photo picker that lets you select specific content rather than granting broader access.
The exact choices depend on your Android version and the app's implementation.
6. Notifications
Notifications can be useful for messages, reminders, and security alerts.
If an app sends unnecessary notifications, you may be able to turn them off in its settings. On supported versions, notification permission is managed separately from permissions such as Camera or Location.
You don't need to disable every notification. Keep the ones that matter to you.
How to Decide Whether a Permission Is Necessary
Use these questions when reviewing an app:
Does the app need this feature? A camera app needs camera access to take pictures, but a basic calculator generally doesn't.
Can I grant access only when needed? Temporary or while-in-use access may be enough.
Is there a less intrusive alternative? Selecting a photo manually may be sufficient instead of giving an app broader photo access.
What happens if I deny it? Test the app's main features and restore access only if necessary.
Do I trust the app and its developer? Check its source, reputation, and privacy information.
A permission request alone does not prove that an app is malicious. Likewise, a reasonable permission list does not guarantee that an app handles your data responsibly.
Permissions are one part of privacy and security, not a complete security test.
What If You Can't Find an App Permission?
If a permission or menu is missing, try these steps.
Search Settings
Use the Settings search field to search for the app name, “Permissions,” or “Permission manager.”
Check the App's Information Screen
Open Settings, tap Apps, select the application, and look for Permissions.
Check Whether the App Needs the Permission
An app may not list a permission that it doesn't request or use. Some features may also rely on system components or other mechanisms rather than a conventional runtime permission.
Update Your Phone and App
Check for available Android system updates and app updates. Menu layouts and available features can change with software updates.
Check Your Manufacturer's Instructions
Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, OnePlus, and other manufacturers may organize settings differently. Consult your manufacturer's official support resources if the general steps don't match your phone.
Google's Android guidance also notes that steps can differ on customized Android devices.
Bonus: Automatically Remove Permissions From Unused Apps
Some Android devices provide a feature that pauses app activity or removes certain permissions from apps you haven't used for a while.
To check whether it's available:
Open Settings.
Tap Apps.
Select the app.
Look for an option such as Pause app activity if unused or a related unused-app setting.
Review the description and enable it if you want that behavior.
The exact wording and availability depend on your device and software version.
This feature can be useful for applications you rarely open. Remember that an app may behave differently when you return to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I check app permissions on Android?
Open Settings, go to Apps, select an app, and tap Permissions. Alternatively, open Permission Manager, if available, to review apps by permission category.
2. How do I see which apps have access to my camera?
Open Settings and look for Privacy or Security & privacy, then Permission Manager. Select Camera to review the apps listed. Menu names and categories can vary by device.
3. Can I turn off app permissions after granting them?
Yes. Android lets you change many previously granted permissions through the app's information screen or Permission Manager. Some settings have additional restrictions or different controls.
4. Will an app still work if I deny a permission?
It may. Features that require the denied permission may stop working, while other parts of the app may continue to function. You can grant access again later if needed.
5. Is it safe to allow all app permissions?
It is better to review permissions individually. Grant access when it makes sense for the features you use, and avoid granting unnecessary access. Keep in mind that permissions are only one part of evaluating an app's privacy and security.
6. Do all Android phones have the same permission settings?
No. Android versions and manufacturer software can affect menu names, available controls, and how permissions are displayed. If these instructions don't match your phone, search Settings or consult your manufacturer's support documentation.
7. What is the difference between “Allow only while using the app” and “Allow all the time”?
For supported location permissions, “Allow only while using the app” limits access to when the app is in use. “Allow all the time” can permit location access even when you're not actively using the app. Other permission types may offer different choices.
8. Does checking app permissions guarantee my privacy?
No. Reviewing permissions helps you control access to certain device resources, but it doesn't reveal every way an app might collect, process, or share information. Also review the app's privacy policy, developer information, and data practices.
Final Thoughts
Checking app permissions is a simple habit that can help you make more informed decisions about your Android phone.
Start with location, camera, microphone, contacts, and photos. Remove access that isn't necessary for the way you use each app, and remember that you can usually grant permission again when you need a particular feature.
For the best results, review your permissions occasionally and after installing apps you don't recognize well.
At DroidZuno, our goal is to help you understand Android features and use your devices with greater confidence.
Unlock More. Do More.
Official Sources and Further Reading
These sources provide additional details about permission controls, Android privacy features, and the platform's security model.