Managing app permissions and privacy on Samsung Galaxy devices gives you control over which apps can access sensitive features like your camera, location, or contacts. Galaxy phones offer multiple ways to adjust these settings, whether through the Permission Manager, individual app settings, or the Privacy Dashboard. Keeping your software updated ensures these tools function correctly, as newer Android versions (like Android 12+) include enhanced privacy features such as permission auto-reset for unused apps and detailed activity logs.

Key findings from the sources:

• Primary method: Use *Settings > Apps > Permission Manager* to adjust permissions by category (e.g., Camera, Location) or for specific apps ^[1][5].
• Granular control: Permissions can be set to Allow, Deny, or Ask every time for apps like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or A15 5G ^[6][8].
• Privacy Dashboard: Available on Android 12+ devices, this tool shows which apps accessed permissions in the last 24 hours (Android 12) or week (Android 13) ^[9].
• Functionality trade-off: Denying permissions may limit app features, as noted in Samsung’s official guides ^[1][7].

Managing Galaxy App Permissions and Privacy

Adjusting Permissions via Settings and Permission Manager

The most direct way to manage app permissions on Galaxy devices is through the Permission Manager, accessible via the Settings menu. This method applies to models ranging from the Galaxy S23 to the latest S25 Ultra, as well as A-series phones like the A15 5G. The process is consistent across devices, though newer Android versions (12+) include additional options like Ask every time for certain permissions.

To begin, ensure your device is running the latest software, as Samsung emphasizes this in their support guides ^[1]. Then follow these steps:

• Open Settings and tap Apps (or Applications on some models) ^[1][5].
• Select Permission Manager to view permissions grouped by type (e.g., Camera, Microphone, Location) ^[2][7].
• Tap a permission category (e.g., Location) to see which apps have access. From here, you can:
• Toggle permissions on/off for individual apps ^[1].
• Choose between Allow, Deny, or Ask every time (available on Android 12+ for certain permissions) ^[6][8].
• For the Galaxy S25 Ultra, long-press an app icon, tap the app info icon (i), and select Permissions to adjust settings directly ^[6].

For specific apps, navigate to *Settings > Apps, select the app, and tap Permissions to view and modify its access. Samsung notes that denying permissions like Location or Contacts* may cause some apps to malfunction ^[1][7]. For example:

• A maps app may not provide directions if Location is denied ^[1].
• Social media apps might restrict photo uploads if Camera or Storage access is revoked ^[8].

On Android 11+ devices, unused apps will automatically lose permissions after a few months of inactivity, a feature highlighted in Google’s support documentation ^[3]. This reduces the risk of dormant apps retaining unnecessary access to your data.

Using Privacy Dashboard and Advanced Tools

For users on Android 12 or later, the Privacy Dashboard offers a centralized view of permission usage, showing which apps accessed sensitive features and when. This tool is particularly useful for identifying apps with excessive or unexpected access. To use it:

• Open Settings and tap Security and Privacy (or Privacy on some models) ^[9].
• Select Privacy Dashboard to see a timeline of permission activity, such as:
• Apps that used the Camera or Microphone in the last 24 hours (Android 12) or week (Android 13) ^[9].
• Location access history, including how often an app checked your whereabouts ^[9].
• Tap a permission type (e.g., Microphone) to see which apps accessed it and adjust their permissions directly.

For Galaxy-specific features, Samsung integrates additional privacy tools:

• Secure Folder: A sandboxed space to run apps with restricted permissions, isolating them from your main device data ^[2].
• Biometric security: Fingerprint or facial recognition can be required to access sensitive apps or settings ^[2].
• Advertising controls: Under *Settings > Privacy*, users can opt out of personalized ads and reset their advertising ID ^[2].

Samsung also recommends regular device security checks to identify potential vulnerabilities:

• Navigate to *Settings > Security and Privacy > Device Security* to scan for malicious apps or unsafe settings ^[2].
• Enable Auto Blocker (on One UI 6+) to prevent unauthorized app installations and restrict app permissions further ^[2].

For older Galaxy models (e.g., S23 on Android 13), the process remains similar but may lack features like Ask every time for all permission types. Users can still manage permissions via *Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager*, as outlined by Optus ^[7]. The key difference is the absence of the Privacy Dashboard’s detailed timeline, which was introduced in Android 12.