Installation access and app access are different
A browser’s permission to open an APK installation does not grant the new app camera, microphone, contacts or location access. Those later requests belong to the installed application and should be considered separately.
Review each permission in the context of a feature you chose. A request can be legitimate for one feature and unnecessary for another, so avoid using a blanket rule based only on the app’s category.
Review an app’s permissions
- Open the app information
Go to Settings → Apps and choose the intended application. Device menu labels may differ.
- Choose Permissions
Read which capabilities have been allowed or denied. Check the permission description as well as its name.
- Choose the access level
Depending on the Android version and capability, options may include access while using the app or asking each time.
- Review after updates
If the application introduces a new feature or request, decide whether you need it before granting additional access.
Examples to think through
| Request | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Camera | Did you choose a feature that needs to capture an image? |
| Microphone | Did you enable a voice feature that needs audio input? |
| Contacts | Does the selected feature really need your address book? |
| Location | What location-based feature are you using, and which access level is sufficient? |
Permission choices are reversible
Android lets you revisit many permission decisions in settings. Restricting access may also disable the feature that needs it. If an application refuses unrelated basic use without broad sensitive access, reconsider the source and privacy terms before continuing.
Sources and scope
- Google Android Help: change app permissions
- Google Android Help: get apps
- Google Android Help: Play Protect
Sources reviewed on 23 October 2026. Android menus and publisher releases can change. Card examples explain common conventions; the selected table’s own published rules govern its format.