You can allow some apps to use various features on your device, such as your camera or contacts list. An app will send a notification to ask for permission to use features on your device, which you can Allow or Deny. You can also change permissions for a single app or by permission type in your device's settings.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Change app permissions
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the app you want to change. If you can't find it, tap See all apps. Then, choose your app.
- Tap Permissions.
- If you allowed or denied any permissions for the app, you’ll find them here.
- To change a permission setting, tap it, then choose Allow or Don't allow.
For location, camera, and microphone permissions, you may be able to choose:
- All the time: For location only. The app can use the permission at any time, even when you’re not using the app.
- Allow only while using the app: The app can use the permission only when you're using that app.
- Ask every time: Every time you open the app, it'll ask to use the permission. It can use the permission until you’re done with the app.
- Don't allow: The app cannot use the permission, even when you’re using the app.
Change app permissions | Pixel
Change permissions based on their type
You can check which apps have the same permission setting. For example, you can check which apps have permission to check your calendar.
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Security & Privacy Privacy Permission manager.
- Tap a permission type.
- If you allowed or denied permission to any apps, you’ll find them here.
- To change an app’s permission, tap the app, then choose your permission settings.
Types of permissions
Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.
Below is a list of permissions and what they do when turned on for an app.
- Body sensors: Access sensor info about your vital signs.
- Calendar: Access your calendar.
- Call logs: Read and write your phone call log.
- Camera: Take pictures and record videos.
- Contacts: Access your contacts.
- Files: Access all files on your device.
- Location: Access your device’s location. Learn about location settings.
- Microphone: Record audio.
- Music and audio: Access music and other audio files on your device.
- Nearby devices: Find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices. Learn how to find and set up nearby devices.
- Notifications: Send notifications.
- Phone: Make and manage phone calls.
- Photos and videos: Access photos and videos on your device.
- Physical activity: Access your physical activity, like walking, biking, driving, step count, and more.
- SMS: Send and check SMS messages.
Automatically remove permissions for unused apps
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the app you want to change.
- If you can't find it, tap See all apps. Then, choose your app.
- Under "Unused app settings," turn on Pause app activity if unused.