Permissions in Android applications: a complete user guide

Every time you install a new application on Android the system requests access to those or other smartphone functions: camera, microphone, geolocation or contacts. These requests are not a whim of developers, but part of the mechanism permissionsthat underlies the security of the mobile OS. But why do some apps require access to SMS, while others work without a single request? How do you know which permissions are really necessary and which ones can be safely disabled? And most importantly, how does this affect the privacy and performance of the device?

In this article we will look at what they are permissions in Android, how they are classified by danger levels, and why some of them can become a loophole for scammers. You'll learn how to check and revoke unnecessary permissions, which apps are most likely to abuse data access, and how new versions of Android (including Android 14 and Android 15) are changing the rules of the game. Also, learn to distinguish legitimate requests from suspicious ones so as not to become a victim of phishing or leakage of personal information.

What are permissions in Android and why you need them

Permissions (or permissions) is an access control mechanism that determines what resources and functions of a smartphone can be used by one or another application. Without them, apps would be completely isolated: they could not send notifications, determine your location, or save files to the device's memory. In fact, permissions share responsibility between the user and the system: you decide who to trust, and Android enforces compliance with the rules.

For example, the messenger Telegram will request access to contactsto automatically find friends, and the navigator Google Maps — to geolocationsto build routes. But why then does a regular flashlight application ask for permission to calls or SMS? Here lies the main problem: many developers request extra rights that are not related to the main one app functionality, and sometimes even use them to collect data about users.

• 🔒 Security: Permissions limit application access to sensitive data (passwords, messages, call history).
• ⚙️ Functionality: Without the necessary permissions, the application may not work correctly (for example, the camera will not turn on Instagram).
• 📊 Privacy: You control what data is transferred to third parties (for example, advertising networks).
• 🛡️ Protection against malware: Viruses often disguise themselves as legitimate apps, requesting dangerous permissions (for example, REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES to install other applications).

With release Android 6.0 Marshmallow (2015) Google introduced a dynamic permission model: now the user can revoke access. data-i="69">📊 How often do you check application permissions? at any time, without deleting the application. Previously, all rights were granted once and for all during installation. Today, the system even shows how many times an application has used a particular permission - this helps to identify suspicious activity.

Permission types: normal, dangerous and special

Not all permissions are equally critical. Google divides them into three categories based on the level of privacy and security risk. Understanding this classification will help you make informed decisions when installing new apps.

Permission type	Examples	Risk level	Requires user confirmation?
Normal	INTERNET, VIBRATE, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE	Low	No (provided automatically)
Hazardous	CAMERA, READ_CONTACTS, ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION	High	Yes (request on first use)
Special	SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW, WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS, BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE	Critical	Yes (only through system settings)

Normal permissions do not affect personal data and do not require your intervention For example, access. to the Internet (INTERNET) or vibration (VIBRATE) are needed by almost any application, and blocking them is pointless. At the same time, Dangerous permissions opens access to confidential information: SMS, contacts, microphone, the system requests them separately, and you can revoke them at any time.

They stand apart special permissions. They give applications almost unlimited control over the system: the ability to draw on top of other windows (SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW), change system settings (WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS) or even control gestures (BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE). Such rights are usually requested by antiviruses, launchers or automation utilities. Attackers often exploit special permissions to create add-ons that cannot be removed using standard methods.

⚠️ Attention: If the application (especially an unknown one) asks for special permissions without a good reason - this is a reason to be wary. For example, a simple game should not ask BIND_NOTIFICATION_LISTENER_SERVICE to read notifications.

How to check and manage permissions on Android

Controlling permissions is one of the key aspects of security Fortunately, Android has built-in tools for managing them. Let's look at how to check what rights applications have and how to revoke them.

The easiest way is through system settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Select the desired application (for example, Facebook or TikTok).
3. Tap on the item Permissions.
4. You will see a list of all granted rights. Disable unnecessary ones by moving the slider to the position Deny.

In new versions Android (starting from Android 11) a function has been added "Allow only while in use"This means that the application will have access to geolocation or. microphone only while it is active on the screen. For example, Google Maps will be able to track your location during navigation, but not in the background.

• 📱 Quick access: Long-press the application icon on the main screen → select Application information → Permissions.
• 🔍 View by permission type: In Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager you can see which apps have access to the camera, microphone, etc.
• 🛡️ Automatic revocation: The Android 13+ system automatically resets permissions for applications that have not been used for a long time.

Disable geolocation for social networks in the background|

Prohibit access to contacts for games and utilities|

Check permissions after updating applications|

Use the "Only while in use" mode for sensitive permissions-->

Some applications (for example, banking or instant messengers) may stop working correctly after revoking permissions. In this case, the system will show a notification asking you to restore access. If the app continues to fail, check it for viruses or look for an alternative in Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: After updating, some permissions may be reset to default values. Always check the security settings after installing large ones. updates. Android Some permissions may be reset to default. Always check your security settings after installing major updates.

Which permissions are most often abused by applications

Not all developers honestly use the granted permissions. Some apps collect data for targeted advertising, others transmit information to third parties, and others even contain malicious code. Here are the most “popular” ones among scammers. permissions:

• 📍 ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION / ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION — exact location. Necessary for navigators, but often requested by games and advertising SDKs.
• 📞 READ_SMS / RECEIVE_SMS — reading and receiving SMS. Dangerous, as it allows you to intercept confirmation codes from banks.
• 📷 CAMERA / RECORD_AUDIO — access to the camera and microphone.
• 📇 READ_CONTACTS - reading contacts. Often requested by social networks to “find friends”, but data may leak.
• 📱 REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES —installation of other applications. It is dangerous because it allows you to download malware.

You should be especially careful about applications that request several dangerous permissions at the same time. For example, if a flashlight asks for access to geolocations, contacts i SMS this is a clear sign of suspicious activity. It is better to remove such apps and find analogues without unnecessary requests.

According to research Kaspersky (2023), more than 30% free applications Google Play contain advertising SDKs that collect user data through permissions. Most often these are:

1. Games with built-in advertising (for example, Candy Crush).
2. Photo editing applications (for example, BeautyPlus).
3. Flashlights and memory cleaning utilities.

New permission rules in Android 14 and 15: what has changed

Google regularly tightens its permissions policy to protect users from abuse. In the latest versions Android there have been important innovations that are worth talking about. know:

• 📱 Restrict background activity: Applications are prohibited from using the camera or microphone in the background without the user's explicit permission. Android 14 Apps are not allowed to use the camera or microphone in the background without the user's explicit permission.
• 📍 Approximate geolocation: You can now grant access only to approximate location (for example, a city), and not to exact coordinates.
• 🔒 Blocking the installation of unknown APK: By default, Android 15 prohibits installing applications from sources outside Google Playif they request dangerous ones permissions.
• 📂 Limited access to files: Applications can no longer freely scan all folders on the device - only those selected by the user.

Another important change - automatic reset of permissions for unused applications. If you have not launched a app for a long time, the system can revoke dangerous rights from it (for example, access to the camera or contacts). This reduces the risk of data leaks through forgotten utilities.

In Android 15 has also appeared. function "Partial access to photo/video". Now you can allow the application (for example, Instagram) to see only selected files in the gallery, and not the entire media library. This is relevant for social networks that often request access to all photos under the pretext of “downloading content.”

⚠️ Attention: Some functions (for example, approximate geolocation) may not be available on devices with custom firmware or older versions Android. Check the relevance of the information in the settings of your smartphone.

How to protect yourself from malicious applications that abuse permissions

Even in the official one Google Play sometimes apps that collect data or show intrusive ads slip through. Here are a few rules that will help you avoid problems:

1. Check the developer. Well-known companies (eg. Google, Microsoft, Adobe) are unlikely to abuse permissions. But applications from little-known studios should be studied more carefully.
2. Read reviewsIf users complain about spam, viruses or excessive requests, it is better to look. alternative.
3. Use antivirus softwareapps like Kaspersky or Bitdefender scan installed APKs for suspicious permissions.
4. Deny unnecessary rights. If the application stops working after revoking permission, it may have been unsafe to begin with.
5. Update Android. New OS versions close vulnerabilities and add additional security measures.

You should be especially careful with applications that ask to lock the screen, erase data, or even completely control the smartphone. Such rights are usually required by corporate MDM solutions (for example, device administrator permissions (DEVICE_ADMIN). They can lock the screen, erase data, or even completely control the smartphone. Such rights are usually required by enterprise MDM solutions (for example, Microsoft Intune) or antivirus software. Never grant administrator rights to unknown apps - this is tantamount to transferring control over the device to third parties.

What to do if the application has already received dangerous permissions?

If you find that a app has unnecessary rights, first try revoking them in the settings. If the application stops working or behaves suspiciously, remove it and check it. smartphone antivirus. As a last resort, you can reset the settings to factory settings (but do not forget to back up your data!).

Another useful tool is Google Play Protect. This is a built-in scanning system that checks applications for malicious code and suspicious behavior. To enable it:

1. Open Google Play.
2. Tap on the profile icon → Play Protect.
3. Make sure that the options Scan applications and Improve malware detection apps are active.

Common myths about permissions in Android

There are many misconceptions around permissions that prevent users from correctly assessing risks.

Myth 1: “If an application is on Google Play, it is safe”

Reality: Google Play does filter malware, but not all suspicious apps are blocked immediately. For example, in 2022, more than 100 thousand applications were removed for violating the privacy policy. Always check permissions, even for apps from the official store.

Myth 2: “Revoking permissions is useless - the entire application. will still collect data"

Reality: In modern versions Android revoked permissions are actually blocked at the system level. The application will not be able to access the camera or contacts, even if it tries to do so. The exception is vulnerabilities in older versions of the OS (below Android 10).

Myth 3: "All permissions are the same dangerous"

Reality: As we discussed earlier, permissions are divided into normal, dangerous and special. Accessing the Internet (INTERNET) does not carry risks, but reading SMS (READ_SMS) can lead to the theft of money from bank accounts.

Myth 4: "If disable permissions, the application will break."

Reality: Most apps work correctly without extra rights. For example, VK can function without access to geolocation, and WhatsApp without reading contacts (but then you will have to manually add friends). The exception is system utilities and some games.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about permissions in Android

Is it possible to completely deny all permissions for an application?

Technically yes, but this will lead to the fact that most apps will stop working. For example, a messenger without access to the Internet will not be able to send messages, and a navigator without geolocation will not be able to build routes. The best option: disable only those permissions that are not critical for functionality.

Why do some applications ask for permissions after the update?

This happens if the developers have added new features that require additional rights. For example, the messenger may have been updated and began to support voice messages - for this it will need access to the microphone (RECORD_AUDIOAlways check what exactly has changed in the new version before granting new permissions.

How to find out which application is using the camera or microphone in the background. mode?

In Android 12+ a camera and microphone usage indicator has appeared (a green dot in the upper right corner of the screen). To see which app is active:

1. Swipe down to open the notification panel.
2. If the green dot is lit at the top of the screen, tap on it.
3. The system will show which application is using the camera/microphone.

In Android 14 a history of permission usage for the last 24 hours has also been added.

What to do if the application does not work without dangerous permissions?

If the app refuses to launch after revoking rights, try the following steps:

1. Check whether the permission is really critical for operation (read the description in Google Play).
2. Look for an alternative application with a less aggressive permission policy.
3. If it is system software (for example, a launcher), try resetting its settings via Settings → Applications → [name] → Storage → Erase data.
4. As a last resort, contact the developer's support asking why the application requires so many rights.

Can permissions affect battery consumption?

Yes, but indirectly. For example, if an application has access to geolocation and constantly uses it (even in the background), this will increase power consumption. The same applies to autorun permissions (RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED) - they allow apps to start when the smartphone is turned on and run in the background. To save battery, disable unnecessary background permissions in the battery settings.