Android App Permissions: Which Are Risky and How to Manage Them

Why App Permissions Matter

Every Android app you install can ask for access to different parts of your phone’s hardware and data. When you tap “Allow,” you are giving that app a standing key to that resource — it can use it any time the app runs, not just when you are watching. A note-taking app that reads your contacts or a calculator that wants microphone access should raise questions.

Google Play’s permission policies require developers to request only the permissions their apps actually need. In practice, enforcement is imperfect, and many apps from outside the Play Store carry no checks at all. Knowing which permissions are most sensitive, and how to review them, puts the control back in your hands.

The Five Highest-Risk Permissions

1. Location

Location is the most commercially valuable permission. An app with precise GPS access knows where you live, where you work, and where you go. Since Android 12, you can grant approximate location instead of precise — this is adequate for weather apps, food delivery apps showing nearby restaurants, and most navigation-adjacent uses. Reserve precise location for maps and navigation only.

2. Microphone

Microphone access lets an app record audio at any time while it runs in the background. Voice assistants and video-calling apps need it. A recipe app or a flashlight app has no legitimate reason to request it. If you see microphone permission on an app that has no audio feature, deny it.

3. Camera

Camera access enables photo and video capture. Legitimate uses include QR scanners, video-call apps, and document scanners. On Android 12 and above, a green indicator dot appears in the top-right corner of your screen whenever the camera or microphone is actively in use — watch for it.

4. Contacts

Contacts permission hands over every name, phone number, and email address stored on your device. For a messaging app this is expected. For a gaming app or a utility tool, it is a red flag. Attackers use harvested contact data to craft convincing phishing messages targeting people you know.

5. SMS

SMS permission lets an app read every text you receive, including one-time passwords (OTPs). No legitimate third-party app needs this for normal operation. Fraudulent apps that target banking customers specifically request SMS access to intercept OTPs silently. CERT-In advisories have repeatedly flagged fake loan apps and fake KYC apps that abuse SMS permission — this is a live threat in India.

Other Permissions Worth Watching

• Call logs: Shows your full call history — no reason a shopping or gaming app needs this.
• Storage / Files and Media: Grants read/write access to your files, photos, and downloads. Broad storage access is being replaced by more specific media permissions in newer Android versions.
• Notifications: Since Android 13, apps must ask before sending notifications. Granting this to low-quality apps floods you with promotions and phishing links.
• Nearby devices (Bluetooth): Required for speakers and wearables, but some ad SDKs use it for proximity tracking.

How to Audit Permissions on Your Device

There are two main routes to check permissions on any Android phone running Android 10 or later. The steps below use stock Android; Samsung One UI and Xiaomi MIUI use the same paths but the menu labels may differ slightly.

App-by-app check

Go to Settings → Apps, tap the app you want to inspect, then tap Permissions. You will see a list split into “Allowed” and “Not allowed.” Tap any permission to change it. For location you will see options: Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don’t allow. “Allow only while using” is the right choice for most location-enabled apps.

Permission-by-permission check

Go to Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager. This view lists every permission category and shows all apps that have been granted it. This is faster when you want to answer the question: “which apps can read my SMS right now?” Tap a permission, tap an app, and adjust from there.

Permissions You Cannot Grant to Third-Party Apps

Some permissions are reserved for system apps or require explicit manufacturer unlocking. You cannot, for example, grant a third-party app permanent access to call interception at the baseband level. Understanding this helps you recognise when a fake “security app” claiming it needs such access is lying to you.

Play Protect and What It Actually Does

Google Play Protect scans apps on your device for known malware signatures and checks behaviour patterns against Google’s threat database. It runs automatically. You can trigger a manual scan from Google Play → profile icon → Play Protect → Scan. Play Protect is a useful baseline but it is not a substitute for permission hygiene — a data-harvesting app that is technically not “malware” can still pass Play Protect while abusing your contacts or location.

A Practical Audit Routine

Set a reminder to do a permission audit every three to four months. Work through the Permission Manager, focusing on the five high-risk categories. Ask yourself: does this app’s core function require this permission? If the answer is no, revoke it. The app will still work for everything it does not need that permission for.