what is a user who has "list folder contents" permissions allowed to do?

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Since the introduction of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Android Bone has granted users control over app permissions, dictating what our apps tin and cannot access. Every bit our phones get more entrenched in the sensitive aspects of our personal lives, from family photos to finance, careful command of these permissions has become increasingly important. With the move to Android 12, Google is taking privacy up another level and granting users even more control.

So allow'south swoop into what app permissions do and how best to leverage them to keep your smartphone secure.

Read more: The best privacy apps for Android

Understanding Android app permissions

As the proper noun suggests, permissions govern what an app is allowed to do and access. This ranges from reading the data stored on your phone, such as contacts and media files, through to using hardware including your handset's camera or microphone. Granting permission allows the app to use the feature. Denying admission prevents it from doing so. Simple enough.

Apps cannot automatically grant themselves permissions, these take to be confirmed past the user via an on-screen prompt. Apps will inquire yous to accept each of their requested permissions the first time y'all launch them via a popup that asks you to "let" or "deny" each asking. This will too reoccur on startup if you deny permissions or if an app is updated to require new permissions.

Run across also: The best security apps for Android

Well-maintained modern apps will continue to function fifty-fifty if yous deny them some or even all permissions. Although features that crave permissions, such as your location, plain won't work once denied. If you try to use a feature requiring a previously denied permission, you'll see the popup appear again. At that place are often no problems with denying app permissions you experience uncomfortable with, they tin can always be changed at a afterward date.

App permissions explained

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Almost of Android's app permissions are self-explanatory, only here'due south a breakdown of what each ane really means.

• Torso Sensors — allows access to your wellness information and step count from paired heart-charge per unit monitors, fettle trackers, and other sensors.
• Calendar — allows apps to read, create, edit, or delete your agenda events.
• Call logs — Apps with this permission can read and write phone call logs.
• Camera — taking photos, recording footage, and streaming video.
• Contacts — read, create, or edit your contact list, equally well as access the list of all accounts used on your device.
• Files and media — admission to your files, media, photos, and basically anything else stored on your phone'due south retentiveness.
• Location — admission your location using GPS for loftier accuracy, and cellular data and Wi-Fi for estimate accuracy.
• Microphone — used for recording audio, including for video.
• Nearby devices — whether an app can notice, connect to, and determine the position of other nearby devices.
• Telephone — access your phone number and network info. Required for making calls and VoIP, voicemail, telephone call redirect, and editing call logs.
• Physical activity — access your physical activeness logs, such as step count and do info.
• SMS — read, receive, and send MMS and SMS messages.

How to use Android app permissions

An app volition ever inquire yous to ostend its permissions the first fourth dimension you run it, but you lot tin can e'er get dorsum and readjust your preferences at a afterward date by digging through your telephone'southward settings menu. In that location are 2 convenient ways to view permissions, either past sorting apps by permissions or by viewing each app individually.

The outset identify to kickoff for either method is to head into theAndroid Settingsmenu.

Toggle permissions by app

If you desire to see the permissions that y'all've enabled for a specific app, then head into the Apps menu, select your desired app, and and so hit Permissions.

This pick will nowadays y'all with a quick overview of the permissions that you've already granted or denied to the app (see the image in a higher place). You can adjust these permissions by clicking on them. Depending on the permission, you'll see either a unproblematic Permit or Deny option or three more advanced choices — Allow while using the app, Ask every time, and Don't allow. They're pretty cocky-explanatory only yous should just employ the first option for apps you really trust.

Toggle permissions by type

If yous prefer an overview of all the apps granted a specific permission, such as those that can record from your microphone for example, so yous can sort apps by this criteria likewise.

Caput back into Settings and find the Privacy tab. You'll then want to select the Permission Managing director. From here, you tin can scan through all of the bachelor permissions on your phone, as well as a quick overview of how many apps have been granted each permission.

Clicking on any of the permissions will display merely the apps that have requested this detail characteristic. You can make changes here besides, by clicking on the app then picking allow or deny access for individual apps (see the gallery above).

Which permissions to allow and deny?

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Denying permissions is i of the best ways to keep your phone and data safe from malicious applications. The go-to case report is 2014's plague of flashlight apps that requested contact data, microphone admission, and oft even more than just to toggle a calorie-free on and off. No doubt many of these apps were requesting admission for data collection purposes and perhaps worse.

Broadly speaking, reputable app developers ordinarily only request the permissions their awarding requires, but this isn't a light-green lite to allow anything a pop app requests. You lot might not desire to use certain features tied to data extraction, either for diagnostic or advert purposes.

Ever consider whether the requested permission is advisable for the app.

Mostly, consider whether the requested permission is advisable for the given app and be wary of those that don't seem to make sense. Messaging apps will certainly need your contacts, SMS, and probably camera and microphone too for video calls. They probably don't demand your health information.

Recall, you can always check out all the permissions an app requests before you install it past checking out the clarification in the Google Play Shop. A adept app developer will always divulge what each permission is needed for too, which can help with peace of heed.

Improved privacy in Android 12

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Android 12 takes privacy and security further than previous versions of our favorite mobile operating system. Giving us greater transparency and control over the types of data that applications have access to.

For instance, Android 12 not includes camera and microphone permission quick settings toggles. This can be used to temporarily disable all apps from accessing your camera or microphone, ideal for moments when yous want to ensure maximum privacy. The OS likewise now displays a pocket-size light in the top left of your screen when an app accesses these functions, so you know when you're broadcasting.

Related:How to update your Facebook privacy settings

Google besides includes a detailed Privacy Dashboard that displays all permissions used past apps the by 24 hours, how many times, and by which apps. While few are likely to bank check the dashboard regularly, it is a handy tool a last for communicable out apps that might exist abusing permissions in the background. Another Android 12 privacy-focused characteristic is the introduction of guess rather than precise location data, such every bit for weather apps that don't need to know exactly where you lot are.

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Android is increasingly privacy-witting and app permissions are one of the fundamental tools to assist keep your phone and its contents secure. Now y'all know how, exist sure to utilize them to keep your sensitive data away from unscrupulous apps.

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Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/app-permissions-886758/