To check app permissions on iPhone, open Settings > Privacy & Security and tap a permission such as Location Services, Camera, Microphone or Photos to see which apps have access. On Android, open Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager, or go to Settings > Apps, pick an app and tap Permissions. Turn off anything an app does not need, and prefer options like “While Using the App” or “Ask every time”. This guide shows each step and which permissions deserve a closer look.
Why check app permissions?
Permissions decide what an app can see and do: your location, photos, microphone, camera, contacts and more. Apps often ask for access once and keep it for years. Reviewing them a few times a year protects your privacy, can save battery and helps you spot apps you no longer use. Before installing new apps, use our checklist on how to check an app’s privacy before installing it; this guide is for the apps already on your phone.
How do you check app permissions on iPhone?
By permission type
- Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap a permission, such as Location Services, Camera, Microphone, Photos or Contacts.
- Review the list of apps and turn off access for any app that does not need it.
By app
- Open Settings and tap Apps (on older versions, scroll down to the app list).
- Tap an app to see everything it can access, and change each permission.
Useful iPhone privacy tools
- App Privacy Report in Settings > Privacy & Security shows how often apps used permissions and which websites they contacted.
- Tracking in Settings > Privacy & Security lets you stop apps from asking to track you across other apps and websites.
- Safety Check in Settings > Privacy & Security helps you quickly review and reset what you share with people and apps.
How do you check app permissions on Android?
By permission type
- Open Settings.
- Tap Security & privacy, then Privacy, then Permission manager.
- Tap a permission type, such as Location or Microphone, to see which apps have it, then tap an app to change it.
By app
- Open Settings and tap Apps (tap See all apps if needed).
- Choose the app and tap Permissions.
- Tap a permission and choose Allow or Don’t allow.
Useful Android privacy tools
- Privacy dashboard (Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy) shows which apps used permissions such as location, camera and microphone recently, and when.
- Pause app activity if unused (in each app’s settings) removes permissions from apps you have not opened in a while.
Menu names vary slightly between phone brands, so search for “permission” in Settings if you cannot find them.
Which permission option should you choose?
| Option | What it means | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Allow all the time | The app can use it even when closed | Rarely; only for apps that truly need it, such as a family location app |
| While using the app | Only when the app is open on screen | Maps, ride-sharing, delivery and camera apps |
| Ask every time | The app must ask each time | Apps you use occasionally |
| Don’t allow | No access | Anything the app does not need |
On iPhone, you can also turn off Precise Location for apps that only need your general area, such as weather apps, and give apps access to selected photos instead of your whole library.
Which permissions deserve a closer look?
- Location “Always”: reveals where you live, work and travel. Few apps need it.
- Microphone and camera: keep these for apps where you actively record, call or scan.
- Contacts: shares information about other people, not just you.
- Full photo library: photos can include locations, faces and documents.
- Accessibility services (Android): can read your screen and control your phone. Only trusted apps should have it.
- Install unknown apps (Android): lets an app install other apps. Keep it off unless you know why it is on.
Both systems show an indicator when the camera or microphone is in use: a green or orange dot on iPhone, and a green icon on Android. If you see it unexpectedly, check which app is using it.
What about AI apps?
AI assistants often ask for the microphone, camera, photos and sometimes access to your email or files. Allow these only for features you actually use, and check what the app saves in its own privacy settings. See our guides to the best AI apps for iPhone and Android and AI chatbot privacy settings.
Frequently asked questions
Will an app stop working if I deny a permission?
Only the feature that needs it stops. A maps app without location will not show where you are, but you can still search. You can turn the permission back on later.
How often should I check app permissions?
Every few months, and after installing several new apps. It takes about five minutes.
Why does a flashlight or game app want my contacts?
It probably does not need them. Apps that ask for unrelated permissions may be collecting data for advertising. Deny the permission or remove the app.
Do permissions affect battery life?
Yes. Location “Always” and background activity drain the battery. See more tips in how to make your phone battery last longer.
Do a 5-minute privacy check today
Open your phone’s location, microphone and camera permissions, switch anything set to “Always” to “While using”, and remove access from apps you no longer use. Then delete the apps you forgot you had.
Sources
- Android Help: Change app permissions on your Android phone
- Android Help: Manage permissions from the privacy dashboard
This article is based on the official documentation and reporting listed in the sources above, checked on October 19, 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details on the official pages before you buy. ShokokoTech does not accept payment for coverage. Read our editorial policy.
