Control your app permissions on Android 6.0 & up

When you install an app from Google Play on a device running Android 6.0 and up or on a Chromebook, you control which capabilities or information that app can access—known as permissions. For example, an app might want permission to see your device contacts or location. You can control which permissions an app can access after the app installs on your device.

To find which version of Android your device uses, open your device's Settings app. Then, tap System and then  About phone or About tablet.

Manage permission when you install an app

When you download apps from the Play Store, some apps will ask for permission to use information before you install. When you download apps that are built for Android 6.0 and up, you can allow or deny permissions once you start using them.

  1. Open the Play Store appGoogle Play.
  2. Go to an app's detail page. To review permissions before installing, scroll to "Developer" and tap Permission details.
  3. Tap Install.
    • Some apps will install right away. When you use an app, you can allow or deny individual permission requests before the app uses that type of data.
    • For other apps, Google Play shows you all of the permission groups an app will be able to access before you install. This information can help you decide whether you want to install the app.

Manage permissions for apps installed on your device

When an app installed on your device updates, there may be changes to the permissions for that app.

Manage permissions if you have automatic updates turned on

For apps built for Android 6.0 and up: You won't need to review or accept permission changes for the app to update. The first time you use a feature that uses a new permission, you can allow or deny the use of that data or capability.

For other apps: You won't need to review or accept permissions you've already accepted for an app again. If the app needs access to new permissions groups or permissions in the "Other" group, you'll be asked to accept the update even if you've set up automatic updates.

If you prefer to review each update manually, you can turn off auto-updates with the instructions below.

Turn off auto-updates

How to turn permissions on or off

You can change the permissions that apps can access in the main Settings app on your device at any time. Keep in mind turning off permissions may cause apps on your device to lose functionality.

If you're using a work, school, or government Google Account, your administrator may use the Device Policy app to control certain permissions.

See all permissions for each app

See all apps installed on your device that can access particular permissions

Check app permissions if an app isn't working

If a feature within an app isn't working as you would expect, try the steps below.

Step 1: Follow the instructions to contact the app's developer.

Step 2: Check to see if any permissions have been disabled. To check app permissions:

  1. On your Android device, open the Settings app .
  2. TapApps & notifications.
  3. Tap the app you want to review.
  4. TapPermissions. If a permission is turned off, the switch next to it will be gray.
  5. You can consider turning permissions on to see if that resolves your issue. To turn a permission on, tap the permission.
  6. Try using the app again.

App permissions for Android 6.0 and up

Below are the app permissions available on Android 6.0 and up. The permissions you see on your device may vary by manufacturer.

To review the permissions on your device, follow the instructions under "Turn permissions on or off" above.

  • Body Sensors
  • Calendar
  • Camera
  • Contacts
  • Location
  • Microphone
  • Phone
  • SMS
  • Storage

Tip: If your device is running a version lower than Android 6.0, go to review app permissions for more information about how permissions work on your device.

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