How to See What Permissions Each App Has on Android

Ever wonder why a flashlight app needs access to your contacts? Reviewing your apps’ permissions is one of the most important security actions you can take. I’ll show you exactly how to see what permissions each app has on Android and what to do with the ones they shouldn’t have.

Table of contents

Why does reviewing permissions matter?

Many apps request more permissions than they need to function. A calculator app shouldn’t access your camera, and a game app doesn’t need your location. Knowing how to see what permissions each app has on Android lets you detect these abuses and protect your privacy.

The most sensitive permissions on Android are:

• Location: The app knows where you are at all times
• Camera: Can take photos and videos without you knowing
• Microphone: Can listen to conversations
• Contacts: Accesses your complete contact list
• Storage: Reads and writes files on your device
• Phone: Can make calls and read call history
• SMS: Reads and sends text messages

Pro-tip: Android 13+ allows granting permissions more granularly. For example, you can give access to only specific photos instead of all storage. Always take advantage of this feature when possible.

View permissions from Settings

The most direct way to see what permissions each app has on Android is from the system Settings menu.

Method 1: View permissions by category

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Privacy > Permission manager
3. You’ll see a list of all permissions (Camera, Microphone, Location, etc.)
4. Tap each permission to see which apps have it granted
5. You can revoke permissions directly from here

Method 2: View permissions by app

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Apps > select the app you want to review
3. Tap Permissions
4. You’ll see all permissions requested by that app
5. Change each permission to “Allow” or “Deny”

Permission states

Android shows permissions with these states:

I recommend using “Allow only while using” for most permissions, except for apps that need to work in the background like navigation or messaging.

View recently used permissions

Android has an excellent feature that shows which apps have recently used sensitive permissions. It’s a quick way to see what permissions each app has on Android and detect suspicious usage.

Access the permission log

1. Go to Settings > Privacy
2. Tap Privacy dashboard
3. You’ll see a summary of:
   • Apps that accessed your location today
   • Apps that used the camera recently
   • Apps that accessed the microphone
   • Recent permission changes

Privacy indicators

Android shows visual indicators in the status bar:

• Green dot: An app is using the camera or microphone right now
• Location icon: An app is accessing your location
• These indicators appear in the top right corner of the screen

Tap the indicator to see exactly which app is using the permission. If you see an app using the camera without you actively using it, that’s a cause for concern.

Manage permissions with security apps

Some manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei include security apps that make permission management easier.

Samsung: Device Care

1. Open Device Care
2. Go to Privacy > Permission manager
3. Review apps with sensitive permissions
4. Samsung flags apps that haven’t used a permission in 3 months

Xiaomi: Security

1. Open the Security app
2. Go to Privacy > Permissions
3. You can view and manage all permissions
4. Includes automatic security recommendations

Google: Security checkup

Google Play Protect also reviews permissions of installed apps. If an app has suspicious permissions, Google can:

• Send a warning
• Automatically disable the app
• Recommend uninstalling it

Third-party apps for managing permissions

If native options aren’t enough, there are specialized apps to see what permissions each app has on Android in more detail:

Bouncer - Temporary permissions

Bouncer is my favorite app for permissions. It lets you grant permissions temporarily and automatically revoke them after using the app.

How it works:

1. You grant a permission to an app
2. Bouncer asks if you want to keep it or revoke it
3. If you choose to revoke, Bouncer removes it automatically after closing the app
4. Perfect for apps that only need permissions occasionally

App Manager (from F-Droid)

• Shows all permissions for each app
• Open-source and transparent interface
• No ads or tracking
• Ideal for privacy-conscious users

Permission Pilot

• Detailed permission visualization
• Permission change history
• Risk score per app
• Comparison with similar apps

Warning: Only download permission management apps from Google Play or F-Droid. Apps from unofficial stores could be malicious and exploit the permissions you grant them.

Permissions by app type

It’s useful to know which permissions are normal based on app type to detect abuses when seeing what permissions each app has on Android:

Normal vs suspicious permissions

If a calculator app requests access to your contacts, that’s a clear red flag. Immediately revoke unnecessary permissions.

What to do if an app has suspicious permissions

When you discover an app with permissions it shouldn’t have when seeing what permissions each app has on Android, follow these steps:

Step 1: Revoke unnecessary permissions

1. Go to Settings > Apps > [App name] > Permissions
2. Change unnecessary permissions to “Denied”
3. The app should still work if it doesn’t really need them

Step 2: Test the app

• Open the app and verify it works correctly
• If some function fails, it may have needed that permission
• Grant only essential permissions

Step 3: If the app doesn’t work without excessive permissions

• Search for an alternative on Google Play
• Read reviews to see if other users reported the same issue
• Consider if you really need that app

Step 4: Report abusive apps

• On Google Play, go to the app’s page
• Tap the three dots > Flag as inappropriate
• Select Deceptive practices or Permission issues
• Google will review the case

Security tips for permissions

General rules

1. Principle of least privilege: Only grant permissions the app needs for its main function
2. Review periodically: Spend 5 minutes a month reviewing your apps’ permissions
3. Be wary of new apps: Read what permissions they request before installing
4. Update Android: New versions improve permission control
5. Use Google Play Protect: Keep it enabled for automatic detection

Recommended settings

• Location: “Only while using” for apps that don’t need constant tracking
• Camera and microphone: Revoke for apps that don’t use them
• Contacts: Only for messaging and communication apps
• Storage: Use the limited access option (only specific photos) on Android 13+

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Can an app use permissions without me knowing?

On modern Android (10+), privacy indicators alert you when camera, mic, or location are used. However, permissions like storage or contacts don’t show visual indicators. Review the privacy dashboard regularly.

What happens if I deny a permission the app needs?

The app will show an error or ask for the permission again. In some cases, certain features won’t work. You can grant the permission temporarily and revoke it later with apps like Bouncer.

Are permissions maintained when updating the app?

Yes, permissions are preserved between updates. However, if a new version requests additional permissions, Android will ask for confirmation before granting them.

Should I worry about system app permissions?

Pre-installed manufacturer apps legitimately have broad permissions. However, if you don’t use a system app, you can disable it so it doesn’t access any permissions.

Conclusion

Knowing how to see what permissions each app has on Android is essential for protecting your privacy. Take time to periodically review which apps have access to your camera, microphone, location, and contacts. Revoke unnecessary ones and consider alternatives to apps that ask for too much. Your privacy is at stake with every permission you grant without thinking.