How to Change App Permissions Android & 5 Best Tools

How to manage permission control on Android apps is crucial to ensure privacy and security of personal information and sensitive data. There is a wide variety of Android apps that one can download and install.

Part 1: App Permission Types on Android Devices

On Android devices, there are several permission types that can be configured to control app access to different device resources and user data. Some of the more common permission types include:

Part 2: Top 5 App Permission Control Software

There is a wide variety of app permission control software out there that we can use to further our privacy and security. Some of the apps listed here are more lightweight in that you can manage app permissions by using an app. Some are total solutions that offer permission control for different scenarios, such as managing app permissions on a fleet of devices remotely. Below is a list of the 5 best solutions:

1) AirDroid Business

AirDroid Business is a full-fledged app management & permission control solution that allows users to manage hundreds of Android devices remotely. It's avaialble to manage enterprise applications and Managed Google Play Store apps.

It also comes with a variety of other features such as MDM (mobile device management) Policy, Kiosk Mode, Geofencing, Remote Access, and more, so you can manage every aspect of your Android devices in one place.

2) Bouncer

The highlight of Bouncer is that it can grant temporary permissions to apps on your device. It enhances privacy and security by automatically revoking permission settings when they are no longer needed.

3) GlassWire

GlassWire specializes in network monitoring and security to visualize network activities for you. Although GlassWire’s main focus is network monitoring, it also provides a feature called “Ask to Connect” when an app is trying to gain access to a device. You can then grant or deny access on a per-app basis.

4) Privacy Dashboard

Privacy Dashboard is an app developed by Google to provide users with a centralized control panel to manage permission and privacy settings for the apps on Android devices. It’s easy-to-use in that you can view and modify permissions for apps, manage location access, notifications, and privacy settings.

5) App Permission Manager

It’s a free app that you can download for managing permissions. It tells users the risk level of each app, from high, medium, low to no risk. You can identify medium-to-high risk apps and change their permissions settings.

Part 3: How to Manage App Permission Android Remotely

You can use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to easily manage app permission settings on your Android devices remotely.

To get started, you need to sign up for an account and enroll your Android devices first on the admin console. Then you're able to configure the whole device settings including those apps on it. Learn more about MDM enrollment.

The following how-to guide is going to walk you through how to manage and app permission settings for Android devices.

Step 1: Accessing the App Library

After logging into the AirDroid Business Console, navigate to the App Library on the left panel. It can be found under Apps from the menu at the top.

The App Library acts as an app market on your Android phone. You can add mobile apps to the library via the console. And then open the App Library / Google Play icon on your phone to install the added apps.

The benefit of doing this is that only approved applications can be installed. Moreover, it's easy to control app permissions as well as settings.

Step 2: Add Apps to Managed Google Play Store

Go to Managed Google Play Store and add apps you want to install on the Android phones.

You can search app name directly in the dashboard. Just type the app in the blank and click the search button.

Here, we take VPN for example.

Step 3: Manage App Permissions

After adding apps to the Managed Google Play Store, you can see the app list in the dashboard. And the Settings button is placed under Operations.

There are two categories of app permission settings - Apply default app permission settings & Apply the following settings for the app.

- Apply default app permission settings is the default app permission settings. It will be applied if this option is selected. Note that the default app permission comes from the Android app itself and by the developers of the app.

- Apply the following settings for the app is the option to change app permissions so that you can install Android apps based on the configuration. Here you can grant, deny, or allow the users to choose how each app permission setting works, such as location, camera, contacts, files, phone, and all other Android supported permission types.

(Optional) Step 4: Batch Configuration Mobile Apps

For setting all Android apps, you can click on the Global Configurations button on the right.

Global app configurations work best if there are a large number of users or devices out in the field. The options include:

• Allow users to choose: always allow individual users to choose if they want to grant or deny the app’s access to different permissions.
• Never auto-update apps: when enabled, the apps managed by AirDroid Business won’t automatically update. This is usually used when updating apps could cause performance or compatibility issues for business users.
• Always auto-update apps: by enabling this option, the apps installed will always automatically get the updates. This is often used to ensure security & privacy compliances are met in an organization.
• Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only: in most cases, Wi-Fi is more secure than public or personal hotspots. By allowing Wi-Fi only updates, organizations can enhance security for each update.

Part 4: The Importance of App Permission Control on Android Devices

For Android devices, app permission control is essential in ensuring user privacy and security. It’s also important for us to understand why app permission control on Android should be taken seriously before we set app permissions. This section will explore some of the key points:

• Protecting User Privacy: App permission control lets Android users ensure that their personal information is safe. By allowing or denying permissions, users can control which apps can have access to some of the more sensitive data such as contacts, location, camera, and microphone.
• Preventing Data Misuse: With proper app permission control, users can limit apps’ from accessing unnecessary data. This also helps minimize the risk of data misuse or unauthorized sharing, ridding users from the worry of having personal information breached.
• Enhancing Device Performance: Device performance is another reason why having proper app permission control can bring a positive impact. By limiting the permissions granted to resource-intensive apps, users can then optimize the device’s resources, leading to better performance, less battery consumption, and overall better user experience.
• Mitigating Security Risks: App permission control can serve as a preventive and defense mechanism against potential security threats to devices. By having a regular review plan on managing app permissions, users can minimize the risk of malicious apps getting unauthorized access to personal information and data.
• Personalized App Experience: App permission control allows users to tailor their app experience based on their preferences. By selectively granting permissions, users can customize the functionalities of apps according to their specific needs while maintaining control over their privac

Part 5: Best Practices for App Permission Setting on Android

Review Permissions Before Installing

Always carefully review the default permission settings before installing any app, even from an app manager. Check especially the settings that don’t directly relate to the app’s functions.

Grant Minimum Required Permissions

When prompted to grant permissions, consider the necessity of each one. Only grant the permissions that are essential for the app to function properly. Avoid blindly accepting all permissions without understanding their purpose.

Regularly Review App Permissions

Periodically review the permissions granted to installed apps. Open the app settings on your Android device and examine the permissions each app has. Revoke permissions that are no longer needed or that you feel uncomfortable granting.

Understand Permission Categories

Familiarize yourself with Android's permission categories such as location, camera, microphone, contacts, and storage. Understand the implications of granting these permissions to different apps and exercise caution accordingly.

Use a Centrally Managed App Manager

Consider using a centrally managed app permission solution, such as AirDroid Business. Solutions like this provide more refined control over app permission settings, especially when there’s a large number of apps you need to manage.

Stay Updated

Even though some of the app permission management solutions support global configuration on the automated update mechanism, you should always try to stay up to date for all the security and privacy fixes.

Be Wary of Unknown or Suspicious Apps

Exercise caution when downloading apps from unfamiliar sources. Try to only download apps from The Google Play Store, which has rigorous security measures in place to minimize the risk of installing malicious apps.