When we install an app on our Android phone, It asks us to accept several permissions to be able to install it. In case of rejecting any, the installation process of the same is cancelled. A very important aspect is to check the permissions that we are granting, because many applications take advantage of them in a way that is not correct.
Next we will talk about the most common permissions that we find in Android when installing an application. A guide that will help you to have a little more information about them and thus not install an application if it asks for permissions that it shouldn’t.
In Google Play we can see in the profile of each application the permissions it requires. So that even before installing it we can know it and thus decide if we want to install it or not. This is usually an aspect that helps us to detect whether an application is malicious or not in a simple way.
Since if an application that we want to install on our Android phone It asks us for permissions that have nothing to do with the operation of the app, is cause for suspicion. If an alarm clock application asks you for access to the camera, it is something strange and it may be an indication that something is wrong with it. We leave you below with the list of most common permissions.
Android app permissions
There are many permissions that usually come out when installing an application on Android. Google itself collects a list, but unfortunately nothing is explained about them. We have collected the most common permissions and we tell you briefly what each of them consists of:
- Location: The application has access to our location and thus can publish where we are.
- Identity: Has access to the accounts that are in the device, read or modify the contact card and add or remove any account
- contacts: The application can see our contacts
- Direct purchases from the app: The application will be able to upload payments to the associated Google Play account, we see it in games that have purchases inside.
- Calendar: You can see the events we have on the calendar or even add new ones
- app history: You can read the log data or view the history of websites we have visited
- Telephone: The application will be able to dial phone numbers and make calls (Skype is an example)
- Camera: Permission is given for the application to access and use our phone’s camera, both in photos and in video.
- SMS: The application will be able to send text messages, receive them and see what is in the tray
- Microphone: The application will have access to the microphone of the phone, to be able to use it or record audio
- Mobile data settings: You can control aspects related to the mobile data connection
- Photos, media or files: The application will access the memory where the files are located. You will be able to see and edit them, even delete them.
- Device ID and caller information: Give the application permission to know the ID of our Android phone and the phone number of the person you have called.
- Wi-Fi connection information: The application will connect if the WiFi is activated and you will be able to see the networks that are available in the area.
- Bluetooth connection information: You will be able to see if the Bluetooth is activated and if there is any device with yours activated near us.
- Wearable sensor data: Permission that is required to connect a bracelet or smartwatch to the device.
Manage permissions on Android
The good part is that even when we have installed an app on our Android phone, we will be able to manage their permissions. To do this, we must go to the application information in the phone settings. There we can see the permissions that each application asks for.
In case there is something we disagree with, we can remove that permission from that application. Thus, if there is something we do not trust, we can prevent problems. From Android 6.0 it is possible to manage these permissions on the phone.
