Originally written by Varun Kesari, updated by Dibyajyoti Kabi. First published October 15, 2017. Updated October 24, 2026.
To change app permissions on Android, open Settings > Apps, pick the app and tap Permissions. Tap a permission like Camera or Location and choose Allow, Ask every time or Don’t allow. To see every app that uses one permission, open the Permission manager under Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy.
This post first covered Android 8.0 Oreo, where the menu sat under Apps & notifications. The steps have moved since then, and Android has added one-time permissions and a privacy dashboard, so I’ve rewritten it for current phones.
Key points
- Every app’s permissions live under Settings > Apps > the app > Permissions.
- The Permission manager shows the same settings grouped by permission instead of by app.
- Android 11 and newer can give an app a permission only while you use it, or just once.
- Android can remove permissions from apps you haven’t opened in a few months.
- The privacy dashboard on Android 12 and newer shows which apps used your location, camera and microphone in the last 24 hours.
How do I change permissions for one app?
Open Settings > Apps, tap See all apps if you need to, pick the app and tap Permissions. You’ll see what’s allowed and what’s not. Tap any permission to change it. On Samsung phones the path is Settings > Apps > the app > Permissions too.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the app you want to change.
- Tap Permissions.
- Tap a permission, like Location.
- Pick Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time or Don’t allow.
A quicker way is to touch and hold the app icon, tap App info, then Permissions. Google lists the steps on its Android help page about app permissions.
How do I see which apps use my camera or location?
Use the Permission manager. It lists every permission type, and tapping one shows each app that has it. This is the fastest way to check which apps can use your location, camera, microphone, contacts or files in one place.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Security & privacy, then Privacy. On older versions, tap Privacy.
- Tap Permission manager.
- Tap a permission, like Camera.
- Tap any app in the list to change what it’s allowed to do.
On Samsung phones, look under Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy > Permission manager. If you can’t find it, type Permission manager in the Settings search bar.
What do the permission options mean?
Android gives you up to four choices, depending on the permission and your Android version. The safest pick for most apps is Allow only while using the app, because the app loses access as soon as you close it.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Allow all the time | The app can use it even in the background (location only) |
| Allow only while using the app | The app can use it only while it’s open on screen |
| Ask every time | The app gets one-time access and has to ask again next time |
| Don’t allow | The app can’t use it at all |
For location you’ll also see Use precise location. Turn it off if an app like a weather app only needs your rough area.
How do I stop unused apps from keeping permissions?
Turn on the option that removes permissions from apps you don’t use. Android then takes back permissions from apps you haven’t opened in a few months and tells you when it does. It’s on by default for most apps on Android 11 and newer.
- Open Settings > Apps and pick the app.
- Scroll down to Unused app settings.
- Turn on Pause app activity if unused, or Remove permissions and free up space on some versions.
How do I check the privacy dashboard?
Open Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Privacy dashboard. It shows a timeline of which apps used location, camera and microphone in the last 24 hours. Tap a permission to see the exact times, and tap an app from there to change its access.
The privacy dashboard came with Android 12. If your phone runs an older version, use the Permission manager instead.
Frequently asked questions
Will an app break if I deny a permission?
Only the feature that needs it stops working. A camera app without camera access can’t take photos, but the rest of your phone is fine. You can turn the permission back on any time.
Why does an app keep asking for the same permission?
You picked Ask every time, or the app needs it for a feature you just tried. Pick Allow only while using the app if you trust it.
Can I turn off the camera and microphone for every app at once?
Yes, on Android 12 and newer. Swipe down to open Quick Settings and tap the Camera access or Microphone access tile. If you don’t see them, tap the pencil icon to add them.
Related guides
- How to enable Developer options, USB debugging and OEM unlock
- How to back up your Android phone without root
- How to downgrade an Android app without root
- How to get unlimited storage in Google Photos
That’s it. A quick look at your permissions every few months keeps apps from using more than they need.
If a menu looks different on your phone, leave a comment with your phone model and Android version, and I’ll point you to the right spot.
