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Android app permissions

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I've got a Nexus 5 running Marshmallow. I thought I heard that from now on instead of an app asking for permission to access photos for example when you download it, it would ask for them as and when it needed them.

When I download an app, it says that app needs access to this, this and this and I have no other option than to download it. I can't pick and choose which things it has access to.

Anybody know?

Comments

  • Neil_Jones
    Neil_Jones Posts: 9,534 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    This only applies for Apps designed for Android 6 aka Marshmellow. Older apps behave as they do now, show you a bunch of things they want access to.

    You can change it though:
    http://www.howtogeek.com/230683/how-to-manage-app-permissions-on-android-6.0/
  • There is an app 'Advanced Permission Manager' that can repackage and reinstall other apps with fewer permissions. I have used it on gingerbread (yes, I have a very very old phone...)
  • waterman3
    waterman3 Posts: 469 Forumite
    I don't understand why apps request access to my photos or location for example, when they would have absolutely no need for it?
  • Cycrow
    Cycrow Posts: 2,639 Forumite
    waterman3 wrote: »
    I don't understand why apps request access to my photos or location for example, when they would have absolutely no need for it?

    There could be any number of reasons why.
    But they could be using libraries which require certain access, but they are only using part of the library. The library will request all the access it needs, regardless of what parts are being used.

    Other times, an app may require certain API functions that need certain access, even if its not directly connected to that access.

    IT may also be the developer needed the access for testing/debugging, and simply forgot to remove it when it was released
  • RumRat
    RumRat Posts: 4,992 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    waterman3 wrote: »
    I don't understand why apps request access to my photos or location for example, when they would have absolutely no need for it?
    Agreed some apps ask for too many permissions, hence the change coming with Marshmallow.
    In your case, unless you name the app it's not possible to say why they require any particular permission.
    Drinking Rum before 10am makes you
    A PIRATE
    Not an Alcoholic...!
  • waterman3 wrote: »
    I don't understand why apps request access to my photos or location for example, when they would have absolutely no need for it?

    The don't need .. .. .. they WANT for money, its your personal info they want. What you have recently been given very limited access to I've had full unlimited access for years on my phone{s].

    App writers make money from your personal info, very little from the app. The app writer will leave all doors [hooks] open as a matter of course to see if an opportunity presents itself. 99% of what they want by way of access is absolutely nothing to do with the app and 99% of all apps want access to all areas. I can see this on cyanogen - apps as a default want the lot - deny them and most apps perform perfectly including the worlds biggest pig with zillions of apps eating your battery and bandwidth in addition to your kids photo's your speech your spoken words etc.

    Get a decent phone. Best of luck
    Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ
  • waterman3
    waterman3 Posts: 469 Forumite
    So as a non techie person, how am I to know which permissions an app really needs and which it doesn't? Am I better just to grant all permissions?
  • waterman3 wrote: »
    So as a non techie person, how am I to know which permissions an app really needs and which it doesn't? Am I better just to grant all permissions?

    Logic and vigilance is the answer, your navigation app needs some obvious permissions but does not need access to others such as "Modify your contacts, read your contacts" which is especially dangerous. I have CyanogenMod Privacy Guard which makes tweaking and blocking easier but even that's a learning curve - on yours you decide - as a self-confessed non-techie just leave it alone unless you are prepared to do a lot of reading and research.
    Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ
  • your navigation app needs some obvious permissions but does not need access to others such as "Modify your contacts, read your contacts" which is especially dangerous.
    Sadly it's not that simple - many navigation apps will let you navigate to a contact's address (which obviously can be quite convenient), but obviously needs access to your contacts in order to do so.
    Philip
  • Cycrow
    Cycrow Posts: 2,639 Forumite
    Not all permissions are obvious.

    apps that use accelerometer/gyroscope may also use the location as well.

    plus as i said, some apps maybe using an API that requires certain permissions even if the app itself doesn't
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