Where to find app permissions on your Android phone

App permissions live in your phone's Settings app, not in the app itself. Open Settings, scroll down to find Apps or process Manager (the exact name varies by phone brand), then tap the app you want to change. Inside that app's page, look for Permissions. This is where Android shows you what access that app has — to your camera, location, contacts, photos, microphone, and other phone features.

The fastest way to reach permissions is to go to Settings, then search for "permissions" at the top. This takes you directly to a list of all permission types (Camera, Location, Contacts, and so on) rather than making you hunt through individual apps. From there, you can see which apps have each permission and turn them on or off one at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • Android permissions are managed in Settings under Apps, not inside the app itself.
  • You can change permissions one app at a time, or search "permissions" in Settings to see all apps that use a specific feature like Camera or Location.
  • Some permissions are marked "Don't allow" by default, while others are "Allow" — you can change either one at any time.
  • If an app stops working after you deny a permission, you can turn it back on in the same Settings menu without reinstalling the app.
  • Denying a permission does not delete the app or affect other apps — each app's permissions are separate.

Changing permissions for a single app

Open Settings and tap Apps. Scroll through the list and tap the name of the app you want to change. On the app's information page, tap Permissions. You will see a list of every permission that app has requested — Camera, Location, Microphone, Photos, Contacts, and others depending on what the app does.

Tap any permission to see its current status. A toggle switch or radio button will show whether it is set to "Allow," "Allow only while using the app," or "Don't allow." Tap the option you want. The change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart the app or your phone.

Some apps request many permissions at once during installation. You do not have to grant all of them. For example, a weather app might request Location and Camera — you can allow Location but deny Camera if you do not want the app to use your camera.

Using the permissions menu to see all apps at once

If you want to see which apps have access to a specific feature — say, your Location or Microphone — use the permissions search instead of going app by app. Open Settings, tap the search icon at the top, and type permissions. Tap Permissions from the results.

You will see a list of permission categories: Camera, Location, Contacts, Photos, Microphone, Calendar, and others. Tap any category to see every app that has requested that permission. Next to each app name, you will see whether the permission is "Allowed," "Allowed only while using the app," or "Not allowed." Tap an app name to change its status for that permission.

This view is useful if you want to audit your phone quickly — for instance, to see which apps can access your Location, or to find out why your Microphone is in use.

Understanding "Allow," "Allow only while using the app," and "Don't allow"

Allow means the app can use that feature anytime, even when you are not actively using the app. For example, if you allow Location access, a navigation app can track your position in the background. This drains battery faster and uses your location data continuously.

Allow only while using the app means the app can use that feature only when the app is open on your screen. Once you switch to another app or lock your phone, the permission stops. This is the safest middle ground for most apps — a camera app needs Camera access while you are taking photos, but not when the app is closed.

Don't allow blocks the app from using that feature entirely. If you deny Camera access to a photo editor, the app cannot open your camera or access photos from your gallery. Some apps will not work properly if you deny permissions they need, so you may see an error message asking you to turn the permission back on.

What happens when you deny a permission an app needs

If you deny a permission that an app requires to function, the app may crash, freeze, or show an error message the next time you try to use that feature. For example, if you deny Camera access to a video call app, the app will not let you start a video call. The app itself stays installed — denying a permission does not uninstall it.

To fix this, go back to Settings, find the app, tap Permissions, and turn the permission back on. You do not need to reinstall the app or restart your phone. The change takes effect when ready, and the app should work again the next time you use it.

Some apps are designed to work with or without certain permissions. A messaging app might work fine without Camera access — you just cannot send photos using the camera. In those cases, denying the permission will not break the app, only that one feature.

Permissions you cannot change

A few permissions are locked and cannot be turned off. These are usually system-level permissions that Android itself needs to function — for example, your phone's ability to make calls or send text messages. If a permission appears grayed out or has no toggle switch, it is locked by your phone's manufacturer or your network provider.

If you see a locked permission you are concerned about, check your phone's user manual or contact your phone's manufacturer. In most cases, locked permissions are there for a reason — to keep your phone working correctly — and you will not need to change them.

Resetting all permissions to default

If you have changed many permissions and want to start over, you can reset them. Open Settings, tap Apps, tap the three-dot menu (or the settings icon) at the top right, and look for Reset app preferences or Reset permissions. Tap it, then confirm. This returns all app permissions to their default state — usually "Don't allow" for sensitive features like Location and Camera, and "Allow" for less sensitive ones.

Resetting permissions does not delete any apps or data. It only changes the permission settings back to what they were when you first installed each app. After you reset, you can go through and change individual permissions again if you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change permissions for an app that is not installed?

No. Permissions only appear for apps that are currently installed on your phone. If you uninstall an app, its permissions are removed automatically. If you reinstall the app later, you will see its permission requests again and can choose to allow or deny them.

Will denying a permission slow down my phone?

No. Denying a permission does not affect your phone's speed. In fact, denying permissions that apps do not need — like Camera access for a weather app — may slightly improve battery life because the app cannot run that feature in the background.

What if an app keeps asking for a permission I denied?

Some apps will ask for a permission every time you open them if you have denied it. This is normal behavior. You can either allow the permission or keep denying it. The app will continue to ask until you change your choice in Settings. There is no way to make an app stop asking permanently without allowing the permission.

Do I need to restart my phone after changing a permission?

No. Permission changes take effect when ready. You do not need to restart your phone or close and reopen the app. The next time you use that app, it will have the new permission status.

Can I change permissions for multiple apps at once?

No. Android requires you to change permissions one app at a time, or one permission type at a time. There is no bulk edit feature. However, using the permissions search (Settings > search "permissions") is faster than going through each app individually if you want to audit or change many apps.