The Ultimate Guide to Mastering App Permissions on iPhone or iPad

Key Takeaways

To access the different permission categories of your apps on your iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings and select Privacy & Security. Alternatively, you can access this by opening Settings, scrolling to the end of the list, and selecting the app you want to modify its permissions.

Apple has integrated a more advanced app permission system into their iPhone and iPad devices over time. Users have the authority to determine which apps can access various aspects of their device, such as sensors, personal information, notifications, and cellular data. They can easily review permissions, monitor the apps that utilize them, regulate permissions for specific apps, and impose restrictions on activities like cellular data usage and background operations.

This article for Cybersecurity Awareness Week is sponsored by Incogni.

Manage Permissions on iPhone and iPad

The Settings section labeled "Privacy & Security" provides a comprehensive summary of the permissions accessible on your device and the corresponding applications that utilize them. This feature offers a convenient method to efficiently oversee and handle permissions without having to individually navigate through each application.

First, open the "Settings" app on your iPhone or iPad.

Next, go to "Privacy & Security."

Now let's examine a comprehensive compilation of permissions and functionalities that applications can make use of. This includes a range of options, such as "Location Services," "Microphone," and "Motion & Fitness." Choose a category to explore the apps that have been granted access to it.

Here we are examining the permissions for "Contacts". These applications have sought permission to access your Contacts, and you can view the ones that have been granted and those that have been declined. Feel free to toggle the switches.

The same rule applies to the remaining categories too. Certain categories may offer additional choices, such as granting the "Photos" permission. This allows you to determine whether an application can access all of your photos or just specific ones.

That's all there is to it! This is your one-stop-shop for all things app permissions. If you want to quickly adjust what apps can access, this is the place to go.

How to See App Permissions on iPhone and iPad

To view the permissions for a specific app on your iPhone or iPad, access the "Settings" app and select the desired app. Here, you will find a comprehensive list of the app's accessible permissions, including those that have been granted.

Scroll down and select an app from the list.

Below are the permissions that the app can utilize. In this scenario, Discord has the ability to access "Photos" and "Microphone." Additionally, you have the option to enable the app to be visible in Siri and Spotlight search, adjust notification settings, and toggle the "Cellular Data" use.

Adjust the permissions to your liking and you're all set! It's very easy to see what an app can do from the app settings page.

How to Turn Off Location For Apps on iPhone and iPad

Location Services is an essential permission that allows you to have control over the apps accessing the location of your iPhone or iPad. Easily check which apps have this access by navigating to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.

First, open the "Settings" app on your iPhone or iPad.

Open the "Privacy & Security" section.

Now select "Location Services" at the top of the screen.

You can turn off Location Services altogether with the toggle at the top of the screen.

The "Share My Location" section is where you can turn off "Find My iPhone/iPad."

Lastly, you can find a list of all the apps that have the ability to request location permissions. The presence of a gray arrow signifies that the app has accessed your location within the past 24 hours, while a purple arrow indicates that it has recently utilized your location.

Select an app to adjust how it can use your location, if at all.

Location is an essential permission that requires careful attention. Not only does allowing apps access to your location drain the battery on your iPhone or iPad, but it also leaves room for potential misuse. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor the apps that have access to your "Precise Location" and refrain from granting this permission without careful consideration.

Manage Which Apps Can Use Cellular Data

To restrict certain apps from using data, access the "Settings" app on your iPhone or iPad.

Go to the "Cellular" section.

Scroll down and you'll see a list of apps along with how much data they've used for the current period.

You can toggle the switch off for any app to prevent it from using cellular data.

This is a great way to make sure you don't have unimportant apps slowly eating up cellular data in the background.

How to Turn Off Background Apps on iPhone and iPad

Ever wondered about the function of "Background App Refresh" on your iPhone? Essentially, it enables the app to consistently search for new data even when it's running in the background, resulting in faster loading times upon opening. Nevertheless, it's important to note that this feature can contribute to decreased battery life and increased data consumption.

To turn off Background App Refresh, first open the "Settings" app on your iPhone or iPad.

Next, scroll down and select the app you don't want to be allowed to run in the background.

Toggle off the switch for "Background App Refresh."

The app will no longer remain active in the background. As a result, you may experience slower loading times when launching the app as it needs to start anew.

Fortunately, you usually don't need to closely manage these permissions. Simply make the appropriate choices during the initial installation and usage of your apps. However, if you desire to review your permissions and have complete control, it can be easily done. If you have Android devices, you can adjust the permissions in a similar manner.