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How to Manage Permissions on Android Apps
Edited 4 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
AndroidPermissionsAppsSecuritySettingsSmartphonesData ManagementMobile DevicesTipsUser Interface
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In the world of technology, smartphones have become our everyday companions. Among them, Android devices dominate a very large market share. Android apps offer a wide range of functionalities that make life easier. However, for these apps to work effectively, they may need access to various components of your device, such as the camera, contacts, location, and more. Therefore, it is important to manage app permissions to maintain your privacy and ensure that apps do not misuse data.
Understanding Android app permissions
App permissions in Android are a security feature that governs what an app can or cannot do. They control access to sensitive device data and functions, ensuring that the app has the access it needs to perform its function without compromising user security. While some permissions are required for basic app functionality, others may be optional or used for additional features.
Permissions fall into different categories:
- Normal permissions: These do not pose any risk to the user's privacy. Android grants these automatically without the user's permission. For example, permissions to access the Internet fall into this category.
- Dangerous permissions: These are more sensitive and can significantly affect user privacy. For example, accessing location data or contact lists.
- Special permissions: These are rare and provide access to system-level resources, such as operating as a device administrator or accessing Do Not Disturb.
Why manage app permissions?
Managing app permissions is important for several reasons:
- Privacy: Prevent apps from accessing personal data like contacts, messages, or location when not necessary.
- Security: Limit the chances of malicious apps abusing sensitive parts of your device.
- Control: Make sure apps only have the permissions that are needed for their core functionality.
Steps to manage Android app permissions
Managing app permissions on an Android device involves several easy steps. Let's see how to perform this task.
1. Accessing the settings
The first step is to open Settings on your Android device. This can be accessed by tapping the gear icon, usually found in the notification shade or app drawer.
After going into the settings:
- Go to the “Apps” or “Application Manager” section. The name may be slightly different depending on your device manufacturer.
- When you enter the Apps section you will see the list of all the apps installed on your device.
2. Selecting the app to manage
In the Apps section, scroll through the list and tap the app you want to manage permissions for. When you select an app, it opens an info page that provides details like storage usage, data usage, and more.
3. Access to permissions
On the app info page, find the "Permissions" option and tap on it. This will display a list of permissions requested by the app and whether or not they are currently granted.
4. Grant or revoke permission
Here, you'll be able to enable or disable each permission according to your preference:
- To enable a permission, toggle the switch to the right. This gives the app permission to access that specific feature on your device.
- To disable a permission, toggle the switch to the left. This denies the app access to that feature.
It's important to consider what each permission requires. For example, a flashlight app may not need access to your location or messages.
5. Understanding the implications of permission
When managing permissions, make sure you understand what each permission involves:
- Camera: Required for apps that take photos or record videos.
- Location: Used by navigation apps to provide directions. However, this may not be necessary for the calculator app.
- Contacts: Required for messaging or communication apps.
- Storage: Allows apps to read from or write to the device's storage, needed for gallery or file management apps.
6. Managing permissions for all apps
You can see all the permissions requested by all installed apps in one place. To do this:
- In the apps settings, look for "Permission Manager" or an equivalent option.
- Here, the permissions are categorized, and you can see which app has access to each permission.
- Tapping a specific permission shows you all the apps with access to that permission, so you can quickly make changes if necessary.
Advanced permission management: permissions in Android code
Understanding permissions from a developer's perspective can clarify why certain permissions are necessary and how to best manage them.
Android Manifest File
Permissions in Android are declared in the app's manifest file, AndroidManifest.xml. Here's a simple example:
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.example.myapp" >
<!-- Permission is required to access the Internet -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<!-- Dangerous permission to access user location -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<application>
<!-- App components jump to -->
</application>
</manifest>
In this file, the uses-permission tags declare the required permissions, such as access to the Internet or location data.
Checking permission in code
In addition to manifest declarations, runtime checking for dangerous permissions is required. Here's how to manage this in Java:
if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION)
!= PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
// Permission denied, prompt the user
ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,
new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},
request_location_permission);
}
Use the requestPermissions method to prompt the user if the permission isn't granted.
Handling permission responses
After requesting permission, handle the user's response as follows:
@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode,
String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
if (requestCode == REQUEST_LOCATION_PERMISSION) {
if (grantResults.length > 0
&& grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
// Permission granted
} else {
// Permission not granted
}
}
}
This callback returns whether the user has granted or denied the permission.
Best practices for permission management
- Minimal permissions: Request only the permissions your app needs to function. Avoid requesting unnecessary permissions.
- Transparency: Clearly explain why each permission is needed. This helps build trust with users.
- Graceful degradation: Make sure your app can still function properly to some extent even if some permissions are denied.
- Review frequently: Periodically review the permissions you've granted to your apps to make sure they still comply with your privacy preferences.
Conclusion
Managing app permissions is essential for protecting your privacy and ensuring apps don't access more information than necessary. By regularly reviewing and adjusting your apps' permissions, you maintain control over your personal data and enhance the security of your Android device. Remember to be aware of why apps need each permission and make informed decisions about the data you allow them to access.
Although this guide provides a comprehensive understanding of managing permissions on Android, it is always beneficial to learn about updates and changes to Android's permission system when new versions of Android are released. Your proactive steps today protect your privacy in the abstract world of mobile applications.
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