🔐 Which App Permissions Should You Regularly Check? – Guide for Android/iOS
📱 Why is this article important?
Every app you install on your phone asks for access to various features, such as your camera, microphone, contacts, location, and more. But how many of these permissions are really necessary for the app to function? And what can happen if you give permission to something you don't need?
In this guide, you will learn what rights you should be aware of, how to control them, and how to protect your privacy without risking the security of your data!
📋 Article Contents
🔍 What are Application Permissions?
When you install an app on your phone, it asks for your permission to access certain features of your phone. These permissions are necessary for the apps to function properly. For example:
- ???? Camera: To be able to take photos or make videos through the app
- (I.e. Microphone: To record or make calls
- (I.e. Location: To know where you are and provide personalized services
- 📞 Contacts: To read the names and phone numbers in your contacts
⚠️ What are the Risks?
Allowing apps to have permissions they don't need can pose serious risks to your personal security and privacy. The main risks include:
- To watch Where are you going? every day, without realizing it
- Record your conversations via the microphone
- Read your messages or even send them without your knowledge
- Collect your friends' phone numbers and use them for advertising purposes
- View your personal photos or videos
Many companies sell this data to other businesses for advertising or other purposes. That's why it's very important to be careful and check what permissions you give to your apps!
📍 The 8 Rights You Should Pay Attention To
1️⃣ Location
What is he doing: It shows the app your exact location, helping to provide services that require this information.
When is it needed: Map applications (e.g. Google Maps), delivery (e.g. efood), and taxi (e.g. Beat, Uber) applications.
2️⃣ Camera
What is he doing: Allows the app to open your phone's camera to take photos or videos.
When is it needed: Apps like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and apps for scanning QR codes.
3️⃣ Microphone
What is he doing: It records what you say, allowing the app to use your voice for functions like recording or voice searches.
When is it needed: Applications such as WhatsApp, Viber, and video calling applications (e.g. Zoom, Skype).
4️⃣ Contacts
What is he doing: It reads the names and phone numbers in your contacts so it can recognize your friends in the app and offer more personalized services.
When is it needed: Communication applications such as WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger (to find and add your friends).
5️⃣ Storage/Files
What is he doing: The app accesses your photos, videos, and files stored on your phone.
When is it needed: When you want to upload photos or videos to an application (e.g. Instagram, Facebook).
6️⃣ Calls
What is he doing: Allows the app to make and manage calls through your mobile phone.
When is it needed: Calling or video calling applications such as WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, or VoIP services.
7️⃣ Connecting to Social Networks (Social Media)
What is he doing: It gives the app access to your social media account, allowing it to post or recognize your profile.
When is it needed: Applications that require connection to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social networks.
8️⃣ Video and Screen (Screen Recording)
What is he doing: Allows the app to record your screen or the video playing on your phone.
When is it needed: Screen recording apps or live streaming apps.
🤖 How to Check Permissions on Android
On the Android platform, you can easily check and change the permissions of the applications you have installed. Follow these steps:
- 1️⃣ Open the Settings of your mobile phone.
- 2️⃣ Then go to the section Apps & notifications.
- 3️⃣ Select the app for which you want to check permissions.
- 4️⃣ Go to Select permissions and you will see what permissions the application has. You can disable any you don't need.
🍎 How to Check Permissions on iOS
On iOS, the process is just as simple. Follow these steps to check the permissions each app has:
- 1️⃣ Open the Settings on your iPhone.
- 2️⃣ Look at the section Privacy and chose Application Rights.
- 3️⃣ Select the app and see which permissions have been activated. You can modify them according to your needs.
💡 Examples: Which Apps Need What?
To better understand what permissions apps require, here are some examples:
- (I.e. Google Maps: It needs access to your location to show you the way and calculate routes.
- ???? Instagram: It requires access to the camera and photo library to be able to upload images or take photos.
- (I.e. WhatsApp: Microphone access is required to make voice calls and record messages.
- 🎮 Games: Some games may request access to location or other services, but may not actually need them to function.
6️⃣ SMS messages
What is he doing: Reads and sends SMS from your mobile. Can be used to receive security codes or for identity verification.
When is it needed: Usually for applications related to banks, security codes, or other SMS verification applications.
7️⃣ Phone Calls
What is he doing: The app can make phone calls or see who you are calling from your mobile phone.
When is it needed: Telephony applications such as Viber, WhatsApp Calls or other applications for internet calls.
8️⃣ Social Networks / Accounts
What is he doing: It allows you to connect the application with your social accounts (e.g. Facebook, Google), to log in easily and quickly.
When is it needed: When you want to log in to an application without creating a new account, using your Facebook or Google login.
🤖 How to Check Permissions on Android
1 Open Settings of your mobile phone.
2 Go to section "Applications" ή "Apps" (depending on your device model).
3 Select the application you want to check (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).
4 Click on the option "Rights" ή "Permissions".
5 A list of all the permissions requested by the app will appear. Disable the ones you don't need or want to give the app.
Go to Settings → Privacy (Privacy) → Rights Management (Permission Manager).
This method allows you to see and manage all permissions for all apps in a faster way. You can turn off permissions in bulk, such as for the camera or microphone.
🍎 How to Check Permissions on iOS (iPhone)
1 Open Settings (Settings) on your iPhone's home screen.
2 Scroll down and find the list of all the apps you have installed.
3 Select the application you want to check (e.g. Instagram, WhatsApp).
4 Here you will see all the permissions the app has (e.g. Location, Camera, Microphone). You can disable anything that is not needed for the app to function.
Go to Settings → Privacy (Privacy & Security) → Select a category (e.g. Camera, Microphone).
Here you will see which applications have access to this category (e.g. camera) and you can easily disable access for those you don't want to use this permission.
💡 Examples: Which Apps Need What?
Permissions needed:
- ✅ Camera (for stories and photos)
- ✅ Microphone (for video and voice messages)
- ✅ Storage (to save photos and videos)
- ❌ Contacts (Not necessary – you can turn it off if you don't want to share your contacts)
- ❓ Location (Optional – only if you want to show where you are in your posts)
🎮 Game (e.g. Candy Crush)
Permissions needed:
- ❌ Camera (Not needed)
- ❌ Microphone (Not needed)
- ❌ Location (Not required)
- ❌ Contacts (Not needed)
Permissions needed:
- ✅ Contacts (to find which of your friends have WhatsApp)
- ✅ Camera (for photos and video calls)
- ✅ Microphone (for voice messages and calls)
- ✅ Storage (to send photos and videos)
- ❓ Location (Optional – only if you want to send your location to others)
🚨 When to Worry
- ❌ A game requests access to contacts or microphone
- ❌ A flashlight app asks for your location
- ❌ A wallpaper app is asking for the camera
- ❌ An app that has no reason to make calls is requesting access to your calls
- The app asks for ALL permissions at once during installation without explanation
- Doesn't explain why each permission is needed (if it's unclear, it may have a bad purpose)
- Your phone's battery drains very quickly (the app may be recording or monitoring in the background without you knowing)
🛡️ 5 Tips for Better Security
1. Check the Rights Now!
Don't wait any longer – open the settings and check which apps have more permissions than they really need. Close or restrict the ones that are unnecessary or dangerous!
2. Select "Only when I use the app"
For location, always choose the option "While using the application" instead of "Always." This way, the app won't track your location all the time.
3. Only download apps from official stores
Always use only the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS). Unknown sources may contain dangerous or malicious apps!
4. Read the Reviews
Before downloading an app, check out other users' reviews. If a lot of users are complaining about suspicious permissions or problems, it's best to avoid installing it!
5. Delete Apps You Don't Use
The fewer apps you have installed, the safer you are. If you don't use an app, it's best to uninstall it to reduce potential risks.
✅ Conclusion
App permissions are crucial to protecting your personal privacy. Many apps request more permissions than they need to function – and this can put you at risk.
- ✅ Check the permissions of all your apps and remove any you don't need
- ✅ Close permissions that are not necessary for the application to function
- ✅ Select the "Only when I'm using the app" option for location
- ✅ Delete apps you no longer use
- ✅ Don't trust unknown apps with suspicious or unjustified permissions
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