Modern mobile operating systems, and Android in particular, are built on the principle of process isolation. This means that no app can simply obtain information from another app or system without the explicit consent of the device owner. Permissions This is a fundamental security mechanism that protects your privacy from prying eyes.
However, many utilities require access to certain functions of the smartphone to work correctly. The messenger needs a camera for video calls, the navigator needs geolocation, and the file manager needs access to storage. If you accidentally reject a request or reset your settings, the app's functionality may be limited. In this article we will look at all the ways to correctly and safely issue the necessary rights.
Access control has become much more flexible in the latest versions Android 12, Android 13 and newer. Now the user can not only allow or deny access, but also limit it to only using the application or grant permission once. Understanding these mechanisms is critical to maintaining a balance between the ease of use of the gadget and the protection of personal data.
The mechanism for requesting rights at the first launch
The most common scenario for obtaining root access occurs at the time of the first launch of the installed software. Developers configure their products so that they prompt critical permissions exactly at the moment when the user requires the corresponding function. For example, a social network will only ask for access to your contacts when you decide to find friends.
When a pop-up dialog box appears on your screen asking “Allow this app to access...?”, you have three main options. You can click Allow if you trust the developer and you need the feature right now. Selecting Deny will block access, but the app may continue to run in restricted mode or require a restart.
⚠️ Warning: If you click Deny and later decide to change your mind, some apps may no longer show the request pop-up. You will have to go to the settings manually, since the system believes that you have already made the final decision.
New versions of the OS have added useful functionality “Only in this mode” or “Allow only during use.” This means that as soon as you minimize the application or lock the screen, access to the sensor (for example, microphone) will be automatically revoked. This is a great way to prevent background surveillance.
If you are unsure about the need for access, select the "Allow only while using the application" option. This will provide basic functionality without the risk of background surveillance.
Remember that refusal to issue rights may lead to unstable operation of the software. Some banking applications require access to a list of installed apps to verify the security of the environment, and without this they will simply refuse to launch. Always evaluate the appropriateness of the request: why does the calculator need access to your geolocation?
Manually setting permissions through the settings menu
If the automatic request was missed or you accidentally clicked “Deny,” do not panic. All rights can be reviewed and changed manually in the system menu. This method is the most reliable and allows you to see a complete picture of what data is available to each app on your device.
First, you need to go to the main system configuration section. The path may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for privacy or application management.
- 📱 Open
Settingsyour smartphone. - 🔒 Go to section
ApplicationsorPrivacy. - 📂 Select
Permission ManagerorPermissions. - 👁️ Click on the desired category, for example
CameraorMicrophone.
In the list that opens, you will see all installed apps, grouped by access status: “Allowed”, “Requested” or “Prohibited”. By clicking on a specific application in the "Banned" list, you can change the status to "Allowed". This action will take effect instantly and will not require rebooting the device.
There is also an alternative path through the card of a specific application. Find the desired app in the general list, click on it and select the tab Permissions. Here you get detailed control over each individual sensor. You can allow access to contacts, but at the same time deny access to the phone for the same messenger.
Managing access to files and storage
Access to the file system is one of the most sensitive areas in Android. Starting with version Android 11, Google introduced the concept of limited storage (Scoped Storage). This means that applications no longer have automatic access to all files on the disk, but can only work with their own folders or media files of a certain type.
If a app, such as a file manager or archiver, needs access to all files, the system will require special confirmation. If you try to enable this access, you will see a warning that this may reduce the security of your device. You will have to click an additional confirmation button in the system dialog.
| Access type | What the application sees | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Media only | Photo, video, audio | Low |
| All files | Any documents and folders | High |
| Special access | System directories | Critical |
| No access | Nothing | Safe |
To issue full access, go to Settings → Applications → Special access → Access to all files. Here is a list of apps that are allowed to ignore standard storage limits. Be extremely careful when adding unknown utilities here, as malware with this right can encrypt or steal any of your documents.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of the "Special access" menu may change depending on the Android version and manufacturer. If you do not find the "Access to all files" item, look for it in the "Privacy" section or through a search in the settings.
Why do some applications require access to all files?
Older versions of applications developed before the introduction of Scoped Storage may not work correctly with the new limited access. Also, full-fledged file managers and antiviruses require full access to scan entire memory for threats or organize files.
Geolocation and exact location
Access to geodata is one of the most in demand, but also the most risky in terms of privacy. In modern versions of Android, the system separates the concepts of “Approximate location” and “Exact location”. This gives the user a flexible tool to protect their anonymity.
Weather apps or news aggregators usually don't need to know which house you are in. It is enough for them to know your city. By selecting the “Approximate location” option, you allow the application to see coordinates with an error of up to several kilometers. This is enough for weather forecasting, but not enough for tracking your movements.
Navigation services such as Google Maps or Yandex.Mapsas well as taxi services certainly require "Precise Location". Without this, they will not be able to plot a route or determine a landing point. To grant such a right, when requesting permission, you must click on the “Change” button or the arrow next to the switch and activate the accuracy slider.
Use “Approximate location” for all applications that do not need navigation functions. This significantly reduces the digital footprint of your movement.
Please note that for geolocation to work, the GPS module itself must be turned on in the notification shade. If you allow access to the application, but turn off geolocation globally, the app will receive an error or empty coordinates. In some cases, the system may prompt you to enable geolocation automatically when you launch the map.
Accessibility and overlay on top of other windows
There is a category of permissions that are outside the standard access rights menu. These are the so-called accessibility. They allow applications to control the interface, read text from the screen, emulate button presses, and run on top of other open apps.
Most often, such rights are required by launchers, screen recording apps, ad blockers, or utilities for people with disabilities. To grant such a right, you need to go to Settings → Accessibility. Here you will find a list of services that can be activated by the switch.
Another important option is “Overlay on top of other applications”. It is needed by instant messengers to display pop-up chat windows (bubbles) or screen recording apps. This item is usually located in the section Applications → Accessibility → Overlay on top of other applications. Without this permission, you will not be able to see the call notification if you are using another application in full screen mode.
☑️ Checking accessibility rights
⚠️ Attention: Never enable “Accessibility” for applications that downloaded from unverified sources. Attackers use this access to intercept passwords from the keyboard and steal data from banking applications.
Be careful: some viruses disguise themselves as system updates and ask you to enable a special service. If you see a strange service name or an application with an Android icon that asks for full rights to control the screen, immediately cancel the action and scan your device with an antivirus.
Resetting and revoking previously issued permissions
Sometimes a situation arises when you urgently need to revoke all rights from an application, for example, if you suspect a data leak or before selling your device. Android has a quick revocation function, as well as the ability to completely reset permission settings for all apps at once.
To revoke rights from a specific app, just go to its card in the settings and press the button Clear permissions or manually switch all the toggle switches to the “Prohibited” position. After this, the next time you launch the application, it will behave as freshly installed (newly installed) and will ask for permissions again.
To globally reset all privacy settings, there is a hidden or advanced option in the developer menu or in the privacy section. It is called Reset application settings or Reset permissions. This operation will return all rights to the factory values: dangerous permissions will be prohibited, and normal ones will be allowed.
It is important to understand the consequences of such a step. After a global reset, you will have to re-configure access for all important apps: instant messengers will not be heard in calls, the camera will not open in Instagram, and the navigator will not determine the route. Use this function only in extreme cases when you need to quickly “reset” the system’s privacy.
Before resetting permissions, take a screenshot of the list of important applications that you trust. This will help quickly restore the functionality of the smartphone after the cleaning procedure.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the application not ask for permission when starting?
This can happen for two reasons. Either you have previously responded to this request (allowed or denied), and the system remembered your choice. Or the application uses the new Android APIs and requests rights not at startup, but at the moment of trying to use the function (for example, when you click the “Take Photo” button).
Is it possible to permanently block an application from accessing the Internet?
Yes, in most modern Android shells this is possible. Go to the application settings, find the “Mobile data and Wi-Fi” item and turn off the “Background mode” or “Data access” switch. This completely isolates the app from the network.
Is it safe to give access to contacts to instant messengers?
For instant messengers, this is necessary for the “Search for Friends” function to work. Without this access, you will not be able to see who in your phone book is registered in the service. However, messengers are required to encrypt this data, in accordance with the privacy policies of large companies.
What happens if you deny access to the microphone for the voice recorder?
The voice recorder application will become useless. It simply won't be able to record sound. Unlike background applications, utilities whose main function depends on the sensor often lock their interface or throw an error if the appropriate permission is not available.
How to find out which application is using the camera right now?
In Android 12 and above, a green indicator (dot) appears in the upper right corner of the screen when the camera or microphone is active. If you swipe the notification curtain down, the icon of the application that is currently using these sensors will be displayed.