iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
On an Android phone in New Zealand, allow a permission when it enables a feature you want, choose a narrower option when available, and deny access that does not make sense for the feature. You can change permissions for one app or review every app that has a particular permission. Menu names vary by Android version and phone maker.
How to decide whether to allow an Android permission
Use the permission prompt and the app’s purpose as context. A camera app needs camera access to take a picture; an app asking for access unrelated to a feature you chose to use may not need it. No permission category is automatically safe or unsafe: consider what the app does, what access it requests, and whether you want that feature.
- Allow access when it directly enables a feature you intend to use and the prompt makes sense in context.
- Limit access if Android offers a narrower choice, such as approximate instead of precise location, access only while using the app, or asking each time.
- Deny access if you do not want the feature or cannot connect the request to it. Some app functions may then be unavailable. You can change the setting later if you decide to use them.
- Review access periodically, especially for apps you no longer use. Android may pause activity or remove permissions for unused apps.
For a location permission in particular, grant all-the-time access only if you want the app to use location in the background and that access is needed for the feature. The available choices vary by permission, Android version, and device. Google’s Android permission guidance describes the settings that may be available.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Change permissions for one app
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then select the app. If needed, tap See all apps.
- Tap Permissions.
- Select a permission and choose the setting you want.
Google documents this route, but labels and available choices can differ across manufacturers and Android versions. A denied permission can prevent the related app feature from working; you can return to the same screen to allow it if you change your mind.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Review access by permission type
To see which apps have a particular kind of access, open Settings and look under Security & privacy or Privacy for Permission manager. Choose a permission type, then select an app to change its access. On some phones, searching Settings for “permissions” or “permission manager” may help locate the control; the exact search result is not the same on every device.
Google says Android 13 and later commonly combine security and privacy settings under “Security and privacy,” while Android 12 and lower may show separate Security and Privacy sections. Google’s overview of Android security and privacy settings explains this version distinction.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Check which apps recently used permissions
The Privacy Dashboard can show which apps accessed permissions and when. Open Settings, then find Privacy dashboard under Security and privacy or Privacy. Select a permission to see the apps and access times; tap an app to change its permission.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Google documents a seven-day access history on Android 13 and a 24-hour history on Android 12. The dashboard’s history is useful for reviewing recent activity, but it does not replace deciding whether you want an app to retain access. See Google’s instructions for the Privacy Dashboard.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Turn off camera or microphone access device-wide
On supported devices, Android provides device-level Camera access and Microphone access controls. Turning one off blocks that access broadly, rather than changing a single app’s permission, so camera or microphone features in apps may stop working until you switch it back on. Use the app-level controls when you want to manage access app by app. Google’s permission guidance covers the available controls.
Understand Play Store Data safety disclosures
A Google Play listing’s Data safety section provides context about an app’s data practices, but it is not the same as Android’s app permissions list. Google says the Data safety information is supplied by developers and applies to apps distributed through Google Play. The permissions list describes data or features an app can access or might request; Data safety disclosures address a different question. They can differ, for example, because some processing happens on the device or because a data practice is not represented by an Android permission.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
To view the disclosure, open the app’s listing in Google Play and look for Data safety; tap See details if that option appears. Read it alongside the permission controls rather than treating either as a complete substitute for the other. See Google Play’s explanation of the Data safety section.
What happens to permissions for apps you stop using?
Android’s unused-app controls can pause activity or remove permissions. Google also says Play Protect may reset permissions after three months of non-use on certain devices running Android 6.0–10. That three-month statement applies only to the Android versions and eligible devices identified in Google’s documentation; it should not be assumed to describe every current Android phone. If a feature stops working or access has changed, check the app’s permission screen and unused-app settings. More detail is in Google Play Protect’s help page.
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
What New Zealand Android users should know
The Android and Google Play instructions above are general guidance, not a New Zealand-specific permission interface or legal advice. The official guidance does not establish a distinct permission screen for New Zealand. Your phone’s Android version and manufacturer determine the labels and options you see, so follow the closest matching setting on your device.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
