Samsung Galaxy App Permissions: What to Disable
Managing app permissions on your Samsung Galaxy device helps protect your privacy and improve battery life. This guide explains which permissions to disable and how to manage them effectively.
1. Disable Unnecessary Location Access
Restricting location access for apps that don’t need it can save battery life and enhance privacy.
- Open Settings: Launch the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy.
- Go to Apps: Scroll down and tap on “Apps.”
- Select the App: Choose an app that has unnecessary location access.
- Tap Permissions: Select “Permissions” from the app info screen.
- Choose Location: Tap “Location” and change the setting to “Deny” or “Allow only while using the app” if needed.
- Repeat for Other Apps: Review and adjust location permissions for other apps accordingly.
2. Restrict Microphone Access
Disabling microphone access for certain apps prevents unauthorized audio recording.
- Open Settings: Navigate to the Settings app on your device.
- Select Apps: Scroll down and tap “Apps.”
- Pick an App: Find an app that does not require microphone access (e.g., games or shopping apps).
- Go to Permissions: Tap “Permissions” in the app settings.
- Tap Microphone: Change the setting to “Deny.”
- Confirm and Repeat: Apply this setting to all apps that do not need microphone access.
3. Disable Background Data for Unnecessary Apps
Limiting background data usage can help reduce mobile data consumption and extend battery life.
- Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy.
- Select Apps: Scroll down and tap “Apps.”
- Choose an App: Tap on an app that uses unnecessary background data.
- Go to Mobile Data: Tap on “Mobile Data” or “Data Usage.”
- Disable Background Data: Toggle off “Allow background data usage.”
- Repeat for Other Apps: Disable background data for apps that don’t need continuous internet access.
4. Turn Off Camera Access for Non-Essential Apps
Restricting camera access prevents apps from using the camera without permission.
- Launch Settings: Open the Settings app.
- Go to Apps: Scroll down and tap “Apps.”
- Choose an App: Select an app that doesn’t need camera access.
- Tap Permissions: Open the app’s permission settings.
- Select Camera: Tap “Camera” and set it to “Deny.”
- Repeat as Needed: Disable camera access for other apps that don’t require it.
5. Manage Auto-Start Apps
Preventing apps from auto-starting can speed up your phone and improve battery efficiency.
- Open Settings: Go to the Settings app.
- Tap on Battery and Device Care: Scroll down and select “Battery and Device Care.”
- Go to Background Usage Limits: Tap “Background Usage Limits.”
- Enable Put Unused Apps to Sleep: Turn on “Put Unused Apps to Sleep.”
- Manually Restrict Apps: Tap “Sleeping apps” or “Deep sleeping apps” and add unnecessary apps to the list.
6. Limit Contacts and Call Log Access
Preventing apps from accessing your contacts and call logs protects your personal information.
- Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy.
- Tap on Apps: Scroll down and tap “Apps.”
- Choose an App: Select an app that doesn’t need access to contacts or call logs.
- Open Permissions: Tap on “Permissions.”
- Disable Contacts or Call Logs: Change the setting to “Deny.”
- Repeat for Other Apps: Remove access for other apps that don’t require these permissions.
7. Disable Unnecessary Notifications
Reducing notifications helps prevent distractions and saves battery life.
- Open Settings: Launch the Settings app.
- Go to Notifications: Tap on “Notifications.”
- Select See All Apps: Scroll down and tap “See all apps.”
- Pick an App: Choose an app that sends unwanted notifications.
- Turn Off Notifications: Toggle off “Allow notifications.”
- Repeat for Other Apps: Disable notifications for apps that don’t need them.
8. Block Bluetooth Access for Unused Apps
Disabling Bluetooth access prevents apps from using Bluetooth without your knowledge.
- Open Settings: Navigate to the Settings app.
- Go to Apps: Tap on “Apps.”
- Choose an App: Select an app that doesn’t need Bluetooth access.
- Open Permissions: Tap on “Permissions.”
- Select Nearby Devices or Bluetooth: Change the setting to “Deny.”
- Repeat as Needed: Adjust this permission for other unnecessary apps.
9. Review and Revoke Unused Permissions
Regularly auditing app permissions ensures your data stays secure.
- Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy.
- Select Privacy: Tap on “Privacy.”
- Tap Permission Manager: This will show a list of all permissions granted to apps.
- Select a Permission Type: Choose categories like Camera, Microphone, Location, etc.
- Review and Revoke Access: For each app, set unnecessary permissions to “Deny.”
- Repeat for Other Permissions: Continue this process for different permission categories.
Hello. I updated my Samsung S21 f.E galaxy phone and now so many things have changed, much more than in the past. My visual voicemail would not work and said it kept stopping and I could not listen to a message. The only thing I could do was change it to allow app to change settings on this device on this phone or something like that. Sorry i’m talk to texting because I don’t have much time. I allowed that setting because for now because I don’t have time. I need to know is this setting safe? i don’t have any other voicemail set up at this time and no time to do it right now. Thank you so much for your help.