You’ve probably noticed when you download a new app, you’re asked to allow the app
to do certain things on your phone.
These are called app permissions, and some of them can sound pretty intrusive.
When an app asks you to allow it to do things like edit your contacts or see your location,
what exactly are you giving it permission to do?
Fortunately they aren’t all as scary as they sound, but it is important to know how
permissions work before you accept them for just any app.
In this video, we’ll take a look at a few of the most common app permissions for iOS
and Android, what they mean, and how this information can help you decide which apps
to download.
Modify contacts or read contacts.
Many apps ask for this, usually just to give you the ability to share content with friends.
Apps like Twitter and Facebook for example, use this to make it easy to import contacts
from your address book so you can easily connect with friends.
Phone status and identity.
This permission sounds particularly sketchy, and a lot of apps will ask for it, but it’s
not as bad as it sounds.
This permission allows the app to recognize when you’re receiving a phone call.
If you’re using the app and get a phone call, this permission will pause the app and
move it to the background, so you can answer your phone.
Approximate and precise location.
If you’re using an app to help you to do things like navigate, or tell you what restaurants
are nearby, expect to see this in the permissions.
Any map or GPS app will need this to read where you are to offer details about your
location, so this permission is necessary for any any apps in that category.
That being said, if the function of an app has nothing to do with your location or what’s
around you, it has no business asking for this.
Whenever you download an app, read through the permissions before you accept them.
But, if the jargon of app permissions has still got you feeling a little unsure about
which ones are okay to download, there’s another quick way to decide.
When you’re searching for apps in the Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for
the iPhone, look for apps in the Editor’s choice category.
This category highlights the very best and most trustworthy apps available to download.