iPhone / iPad: restrict app permissions - how it works
Some iPhone and iPad apps require a lot of permissions that they actually don't need. For this reason, you can restrict the apps' access to system functions such as the camera or the address book. We show you exactly how to do this.
iPhone and iPad: restrict app permissions
Since iOS 7 you can find extensive options for app permissions in the settings of your iPhone and iPad. Here you can specify exactly which app can access what.
- To do this, open the Settings app on your iDevice.
- Then tap on the menu item "Data protection".
- Here you will find a list of all the services that apps can access, for example "Calendar", "Contacts" or "Microphone". Tap on the function for which you want to restrict access.
- Now you get an overview of all apps that use this system function. Deactivate the controller on the right to remove access from the respective app.
- However, please note that these steps can limit the functionality of certain apps. For example, WhatsApp needs access to your contacts so that you can chat with them. Facebook, on the other hand, requires access to the camera in order to share pictures with others.
We explain in another article what the individual iOS permissions mean.