Apps ask for permission the first time they want to use something on your iPhone. You can control which apps can access your data, location, camera, and microphone, and manage safety protections in Privacy & Security.
A messaging app, for example, might ask for your contacts to find friends who use the same app. It’s also where you control which apps can track you across websites or other apps. And you can review how apps are using the permissions you grant them.
Control which apps have access to information on your iPhone
To help you get things done more quickly, you can let third-party apps use information in your iPhone apps, such as Contacts, Photos, and Calendar. A messaging app might ask for access to your contacts, for instance, so it can find friends who are on the same app. And for any individual app, you can turn access on or off.
Control which apps can use the location of your iPhone
Apps with access to the location of your iPhone can help you receive assistance in an emergency, get directions, and more. A ride-sharing app, for example, may request your location so it can pick you up. You’ll see the Location Services icon in the status bar while an app is using Location Services.
Control which apps have access to the camera and microphone on your iPhone
Letting apps use the camera and microphone makes it easier to upload content directly to those apps. A social networking app may ask to use your camera, for instance, so you can take pictures and post them to that app. Whenever an app uses the camera, a green indicator appears, and that includes when the camera and microphone are used together.
Control which apps can track you or your iPhone across websites or other apps
Every app has to ask your permission before tracking you or your iPhone across websites or apps owned by other companies, such as for advertising or to share your information with data brokers. Once you’ve granted or denied permission to an app, you can change it later. And you can stop all apps from requesting permission altogether.
Review how apps are using the permissions you grant them
An App Privacy Report shows how apps are using the permissions you’ve granted them, plus their network activity.
