When you start using a new app and you’ll often be asked to grant it permissions. But blindly accepting them could expose you to serious privacy and security risks.

App permissions act like quiet gatekeepers that control what information and features an app can use on your device. When you install a new app or turn on a new feature, you’ll often see a pop‑up asking for permission. But many of us click “allow” without really thinking about what we’re agreeing to.

Some permissions are appropriate for the app. But some may (intentionally or not) push the boundaries of what’s strictly necessary. And others could be outright malicious. It’s important to understand which to wave through and which to block.

What’s the deal with app permissions?

When an app asks for permission, it’s basically your phone checking with you before letting the app access certain information or features. You’ve probably seen these pop‑ups when installing a new app or using a feature for the first time. Many of us tap “allow” without really thinking about what we’re agreeing to.

In the past, apps asked for permissions before you installed them. Today, iPhones show these prompts when you first use a feature inside the app. Android does both: it may ask during installation for low‑risk permissions, and then again while you’re using the app for anything sensitive.

Since Android 6.0, permissions are split into two types:

• Normal permissions (like internet access) are granted automatically.
• Dangerous permissions (like location, microphone, or contacts) must be approved by you when the app first tries to use them.

Newer versions of both iOS and Android have added extra permission types, such as background location or notifications, which may require separate approval steps.

For developers, permissions are important because they allow apps to work smoothly. Without them, apps would have to ask for access every single time they needed something, which would be frustrating.

Both iOS and Android now include strong protections to reduce the risks of apps getting too much access. But ultimately, it’s still up to you to decide what to allow.

Which app permissions should ring alarm bells?

Accessibility services

Sometimes called “God mode,” this permission can let a malicious app see what you type, read your messages, and even give itself more permissions without you noticing.

• iOS doesn’t offer this permission to apps.
• Newer Android versions block apps installed outside the Play Store from asking for it.
• Android also checks every few weeks to confirm you still want to allow it.

Background location

This lets an app track where you go even when you’re not using it. In the wrong hands, it could reveal your daily routines and movements.

• Both Android and iOS prevent apps from getting “always allow” access immediately.
• They also regularly ask you to confirm whether you still want to allow background tracking.

SMS and call logs

Very few apps genuinely need access to your text messages or call history. If a malicious app gets this permission, it could read your one‑time passcodes and break into your accounts.

• On Android, an app must be set as the default SMS or phone app before it can even request this access.
• On iOS, apps from the App Store cannot read your SMS messages or call history at all.

Overlay permission

This allows an app to display a window on top of other apps. A harmful app could use this to trick you into tapping something you didn’t intend to—known as a “clickjacking” attack.

• On Android, you must manually enable this in Settings (Apps → Special App Access → Appear on top).
• iOS doesn’t have an equivalent permission.

Managing app permissions safely

Before allowing or blocking, always consider if a permission is necessary for the app in question to do its job.

Another good rule of thumb is to only “allow once” or “while using.” Only safety apps like “Find My” should really have access 24/7 365 days of the year.

You should be asked to review your permissions regularly with many apps. But it may be a good idea to proactively audit permissions.

Above all, only ever download apps from legitimate stores (Google Play/App Store). Read their reviews first before deciding whether to do so. Consider installing a mobile security solution from a reputable security provider.