Apps often request access to the camera, microphone, contacts, photos, location, notifications, nearby devices, or your local network. Some permissions are required for a feature to work; others are optional. The safest approach is to grant only what the app needs, only when it needs it.
Review permissions on iPhone and iPad
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Review Location Services, Contacts, Photos, Bluetooth, Local Network, Microphone, Camera, and other categories.
- Turn off access for apps that do not need it. Choose limited photo access or “While Using the App” location access where appropriate.
- Consider enabling App Privacy Report to review how often apps use permissions and which network domains they contact.
Review permissions on Android
- Open Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager, or open a specific app under Settings > Apps.
- Review camera, microphone, location, contacts, photos and videos, nearby devices, notifications, phone, and SMS permissions.
- Use “Allow only while using the app,” “Ask every time,” or “Don't allow” when those choices fit the app's purpose.
- Keep Google Play Protect enabled and use the option that pauses app activity or removes permissions from unused apps.
Questions to ask before granting access
- Does the requested permission match the feature I am using?
- Can I grant a smaller scope, such as selected photos instead of the full library?
- Does the app still work if I deny the permission?
- Is the developer reputable, and is the app still maintained?
A VPN does not replace permission controlsA VPN can protect network traffic from some observers, but it does not stop an app from using a camera, microphone, contacts, or location permission you granted.