Android App Permissions: Which to Allow, Deny or Remove
Camera, location, SMS and contacts - sensible settings per app type in 10 minutes.
By DigitalNepal · Updated 2026-10-04
Flashlight apps don't need contacts. Audit permissions by app type once, and Android stays quiet and private.
Steps
1Open permission manager
Settings > Privacy > Permission manager shows every app holding each sensitive permission.
2Apply the need test
Maps needs location; keyboard needs nothing sensitive. Deny anything failing the need test.
3Prefer 'only while using'
Location and camera as 'only while in use', never 'always' except navigation essentials.
4Remove unused apps
An uninstalled app holds zero permissions. Delete what you haven't opened in months.
5Recheck quarterly
Updates re-request permissions. A 5-minute quarterly review keeps things tight.
Good to know: Loan apps demanding contacts, gallery and SMS together are data-harvesting traps - deny and delete.
FAQ
App breaks after denying?
Re-allow only the specific permission it names, nothing more.
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