How To Rate An App On Google Play

Review app permissions on Android 5.1 & lower

Before you download an app on Google Play (on devices running up to Android 5.1), you may need to give the app permission to access specific capabilities or information on your device, known as permission groups.

Tip: To find which version of Android your device uses, open your device's Settings app. Then, tapSystemAbout phone orAbout tablet.

Review permissions on app download screens

Google Play shows you which permission groups an app will be able to access. This information can help you decide whether you want to install the app.

You'll see the most important permission groups on every download screen. If you want to see the full list of permissions an app can access on your device, follow the instructions under "See all permissions for a specific app" below.

Once you've allowed an app to access a permissions group, the app may use any of the individual permissions that are part of that group. You won't need to manually approve individual permissions updates that belong to a permissions group you've already accepted.

Additional app security on Google Play

Apps on Google Play must also follow Google Play's policies. Google removes apps that are found to violate these policies. Google also has systems that analyze new and existing apps, along with developer accounts to help protect users against potentially harmful software.

See all permissions for a specific app

You can review individual permissions and groups used by the latest version of an app available on the Google Play Store.

For apps you haven't downloaded yet

Use the Play Store app:

Open the Play Store app .
Go to an app's detail page.
Under "Developer," tapPermission details.

For apps you've already downloaded

Use the Settings app on your device:

On your device, open your device's Settings app .
TapApps or Application Manager (depending on your device, this may be different).
Select an app.
Scroll down to "Permissions."

Permission group definitions

Select one of the groups below to learn more about what is included in that permissions group. Any permissions that are not part of a permissions group will be shown as "Other."

Note: Over time, the Android operating system may change the way permissions work, including adding or reclassifying certain permissions.

In-app purchases

Device & app history

An app can do one or more of the following:

Read sensitive log data
Retrieve system internal state
Read your web bookmarks and history
Retrieve running apps

Cellular data settings

An app can use settings that control your mobile data connection and potentially the data you receive.

Identity

An app can use your account and/or profile information on your device. Identity access may include the ability to:

Find accounts on the device
Read your own contact card (example: name and contact information)
Modify your own contact card
Add or remove accounts

Contacts

An app can use your device's contacts, which may include the ability to read and modify your contacts.

Calendar

An app can use your device's calendar information, which may include the ability to:

Read calendar events plus confidential information
Add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owners' knowledge

Location

An app can use your device's location. Location access may include:

Approximate location (network-based)
Precise location (GPS and network-based)
Access extra location provider commands
GPS access

SMS

An app can use your device's text messaging (SMS) and/or multimedia messaging service (MMS). This group may include the ability to use text, picture, or video messages.

Important: Depending on your plan, you may be charged by your carrier for text or multimedia messages. SMS access may include the ability to:

Receive text messages (SMS)
Read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
Receive text messages (MMS, like a picture or video message)
Edit your text messages (SMS or MMS)
Send SMS messages; this may cost you money
Receive text messages (WAP)

Phone

An app can use your phone and/or its call history. Depending on your plan, you may be charged by your carrier for phone calls. Phone access may include the ability to:

Directly call phone numbers; this may cost you money
Write call log (example: call history)
Read call log
Reroute outgoing calls
Modify phone state
Make calls without your intervention

Photos/Media/Files

An app can use files or data stored on your device. Photos/Media/Files access may include the ability to:

Read the contents of your USB storage (example: SD card)
Modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Format external storage
Mount or unmount external storage

Camera

An app can use your device's camera. Camera access may include the ability to:

Take pictures
Record video

Microphone

An app can use your device's microphone. Microphone access may include the ability to record audio.

Wi-Fi connection information

An app can access your device's Wi-Fi connection information, like if Wi-Fi is turned on and the name(s) of connected devices. Wi-Fi connection information access may include the ability to view Wi-Fi connections.

Note: Since apps typically access the Internet, you'll only see the Wi-Fi connection information permission group on the download screen when installing an app. Apps no longer display the "full internet access" permission on the download screen, but you can always see the full list of permissions by following the instructions under the "See all permissions for a specific app" section above.

Bluetooth connection information

An app can control Bluetooth on your device, which includes broadcasting to or getting information about nearby Bluetooth devices.

Wearable sensors/activity data

Allows the app to access data from wearable sensors, such as heart rate monitors. Can receive periodic updates on physical activity levels.

Device ID & call information

An app can access your device ID(s), phone number, whether you're on the phone, and the number connected by a call. Device ID & call information may include the ability to read phone status and identity.

Other

An app can use custom settings provided by your device manufacturer or application-specific permissions.

Important: If an app adds a permission that is in the "Other" group, you'll always be asked to review the change before downloading an update.

Other access may include the ability to:

Read your social stream (on some social networks)
Write to your social stream (on some social networks)
Access subscribed feeds

You'll see all permissions from the "Other" group listed on the Play Store, including those that weren't shown on the app download screen.

Control permissions you approve during app updates

When an app updates, there may be changes to the permissions group for that app.

If you have automatic updates turned on

Permissions groups you've already accepted for that app: You won't need to review or accept these permissions again.

New permissions groups for that app: If the app needs access to new permissions or permissions in the "Other" group, you'll be asked to accept the update even if you've set up automatic updates.

If you prefer to review each update manually, you may want to consider turning off auto-update via the instructions below. You can also always see permissions for specific apps via the steps above.

Turn off auto-updates

If your device is running Android 6.0 and up, go to control your app permissions for more information about how you can make changes to individual permissions.

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