How to Review and Manage App Permissions on Android

Take control of your privacy. Learn how to view, audit, and revoke app permissions on your Android device to secure your data and battery life.

1. Open the Privacy Dashboard. Open the Settings app on your device. Navigate to the Privacy section and select Privacy Dashboard to view a summary of recent permission usage by your installed applications.
2. Access Permission Manager. Within the Privacy menu, tap Permission Manager. This screen lists every permission category, such as Calendar, Camera, Contacts, and Location, alongside the number of apps granted access to each.
3. Inspect individual categories. Tap a specific permission category to see a list of applications divided into Allowed and Not Allowed sections. Review the list to identify apps with unnecessary access to sensitive hardware or data.
4. Revoke app permissions. Tap the name of any app within the permission category list. Select Don't allow to immediately revoke access for that specific permission.
5. Set granular access controls. For sensitive permissions like Location or Camera, select Ask every time instead of Allow only while using the app. This forces the application to prompt you for permission each time it attempts to access the sensor.
6. Remove permissions for unused apps. Navigate to Settings, then Apps, and select See all apps. Tap an app that you rarely use, select Permissions, and ensure that all toggles are set to Don't allow to prevent background data collection.