Review app permissions on Android 5.1 & lower

An app can ask you to make purchases inside the app.

An app can do one or more of the following:

• Read sensitive log data
• Retrieve system internal state
• Read your web bookmarks and history
• Retrieve running apps

An app can use settings that control your mobile data connection and potentially the data you receive.

An app can use your account and/or profile information on your device. Identity access may include the ability to:

• Find accounts on the device
• Read your own contact card (example: name and contact information)
• Modify your own contact card
• Add or remove accounts

An app can use your device's contacts, which may include the ability to read and modify your contacts.

An app can use your device's calendar information, which may include the ability to:

• Read calendar events plus confidential information
• Add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owners' knowledge

An app can use your device's location. Location access may include:

• Approximate location (network-based)
• Precise location (GPS and network-based)
• Access extra location provider commands
• GPS access

An app can use your device's text messaging (SMS) and/or multimedia messaging service (MMS). This group may include the ability to use text, picture, or video messages.

Important: Depending on your plan, you may be charged by your carrier for text or multimedia messages. SMS access may include the ability to:

• Receive text messages (SMS)
• Read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
• Receive text messages (MMS, like a picture or video message)
• Edit your text messages (SMS or MMS)
• Send SMS messages; this may cost you money
• Receive text messages (WAP)

An app can use your phone and/or its call history. Depending on your plan, you may be charged by your carrier for phone calls. Phone access may include the ability to:

• Directly call phone numbers; this may cost you money
• Write call log (example: call history)
• Read call log
• Reroute outgoing calls
• Modify phone state
• Make calls without your intervention

An app can use files or data stored on your device. Photos/Media/Files access may include the ability to:

• Read the contents of your USB storage (example: SD card)
• Modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
• Format external storage
• Mount or unmount external storage

An app can use your device's camera. Camera access may include the ability to:

• Take pictures 
• Record video

An app can use your device's microphone. Microphone access may include the ability to record audio.

An app can access your device's Wi-Fi connection information, like if Wi-Fi is turned on and the name(s) of connected devices. Wi-Fi connection information access may include the ability to view Wi-Fi connections.

Note: Since apps typically access the Internet, you'll only see the Wi-Fi connection information permission group on the download screen when installing an app. Apps no longer display the "full internet access" permission on the download screen, but you can always see the full list of permissions by following the instructions under the "See all permissions for a specific app" section above.

An app can control Bluetooth on your device, which includes broadcasting to or getting information about nearby Bluetooth devices.

Allows the app to access data from wearable sensors, such as heart rate monitors. Can receive periodic updates on physical activity levels.

An app can access your device ID(s), phone number, whether you're on the phone, and the number connected by a call. Device ID & call information may include the ability to read phone status and identity.

An app can use custom settings provided by your device manufacturer or application-specific permissions.

Important: If an app adds a permission that is in the "Other" group, you'll always be asked to review the change before downloading an update.

Other access may include the ability to:

• Read your social stream (on some social networks)
• Write to your social stream (on some social networks)
• Access subscribed feeds

You'll see all permissions from the "Other" group listed on the Play Store, including those that weren't shown on the app download screen.

Permissions groups you've already accepted for that app: You won't need to review or accept these permissions again.

New permissions groups for that app: If the app needs access to new permissions or permissions in the "Other" group, you'll be asked to accept the update even if you've set up automatic updates.

If you prefer to review each update manually, you may want to consider turning off auto-update via the instructions below. You can also always see permissions for specific apps via the steps above.

If you want to manually update apps and accept permission updates individually, you can turn off auto-updates.

Turn off auto-updates for specific apps

1. Open the Play Store app .
2. Tap Menu   My apps & games.
3. Select an app.
4. Tap More .
5. Turn off Enable auto update.

Turn off auto-updates for all apps

1. Open the Play Store app .
2. Tap Menu   Settings.
3. Tap Auto-update apps  Don't auto-update apps  Done.