Tips & Tricks: How to control app permissions on Android

If you are an Android user and have a plethora of apps downloaded on your device, as it's not so easy to get by these days without your apps, then this is for you. You are probably already aware that some of these apps have access to information that you are unwilling to share or unaware that you are sharing. You can now change that by controlling what you are willing to share in exchange for the services a particular app provides for you. Apps often seek permissions to access your information or how they want to use it on an Android device. For example, some apps seek access to contacts or storage at the time of installation while some others even ask permission to access your phone's camera and microphone. And some apps make these access permissions mandatory for users in order for the user to use these apps. So denying these app permissions can be the first stepping stone of your journey to safeguarding your privacy and do keep in mind, it's always recommended to be sceptical about what permission is being saught and by who and why. 

How to check permission details

1. Go to Play Store and tap on the app that you want to install
2. On the app listing page, scroll down to 'About this app' section
3. Now, tap 'Permission details'

This way, you can review permission a particular app is seeking access to on your device.

While some apps install right away, some apps seek permission to access certain areas or information on your device. This way, you can decide whether you want to install the app.

How to turn off automatic app updates

When an app installed on your phone receives an update, it is possible that there may be changes to the permissions. 

1. Go to Play Store and tap the hamburger menu
2. Navigate to My Apps & games > Installed
3. Select an app > Tap More
4. Now, turn off 'Enable auto-update'

If you want to turn off auto-updates for all apps, follows these steps:

Go to Play store > Menu > Settings > Tap 'Auto-update apps' > 'Don't auto-update apps' > Tap 'Done'

However, it is important to have installed apps up-to-date. Hence, as far as permissions are concerned, you can always allow or deny a set of new permission groups even if you enabled automatic app updates.

How to allow/deny permissions

You can always allow or deny the permissions after you have installed the app. All you need to do is go to system settings and make changes to the permissions. Sometimes, disabling certain permissions affect the app's functionalities.

1. On your Android device, navigate to the Settings app
2. Tap 'Apps & notifications'
3. Tap the app you want to change the permissions for
4. Now, tap 'Permissions'
5. Choose permissions you want or don't want the app to have

How to filter apps by permissions

You can always check what all apps can access particular permissions, i.e. Camera, Location, etc.

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Permission manager > Select a permission.

From here, you can always control whether you want the app to continue to have that particular permission.

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