iOS permissions and their meaning

Some iOS apps cannot get enough permissions, but the meaning of these access rights is usually kept secret from the user. We'll tell you what permissions there are and what is behind them.

What can an app with iOS authorization do?

• Permissions are very diverse under iOS apps. Everything is possible from viewing certain data about the unnoticed change.
• Just because an app has authorization does not automatically mean that it will be used. For example, a flashlight app has permission to edit your calendar, but will never do so because there is no benefit.
• However, it is often unclear how apps use your private data and interfere with your privacy.
• In order to see which apps have which permissions from you, you have to open the "Settings" app on your mobile Apple device and select the "Privacy" item. There you can now allow or prevent authorizations (see picture). In the following we will introduce you to the individual points.

Location services: iOS authorization for your location

• The location services can be switched on and off both in general and for individual apps.
• The advantage of location services is the location of your location, so that you can see where you are, for example, in the Google Maps app. The disadvantage, however, is that unnecessary locations on the one hand consume a lot of battery and on the other hand interfere with your privacy.
• Example: An app for editing photos is guaranteed not to need your location. You can deactivate localization for these. This may in fact be used to personalize advertising for you. For an app like Whatsapp you should, however, start the location function, because you need it to send your location to other contacts.
• It is easy to check whether a location should be deactivated in an app. Start all the apps in the list and see if the compass needle is shown at the top next to the battery indicator. If localization is of no use when starting the app, you should switch it off.

Permissions for contacts, calendar and reminders

• If apps have authorization for your contacts, this means that these contacts can be used in the app. This information can then be used to find your friends on Instagram, for example. However, contacts cannot be deleted.
• If apps are allowed to access the calendar and reminders, they can get information from them.
• Again, you have to make sure that an app that has nothing to do with one of the three categories should not be denied access.

Photos - access rights to images

• If an app has permission for photos, it can save photos in your recordings. Photos from your gallery can also be uploaded to an app.
• For example, you can send pictures to Facebook or Whatsapp and save received ones.
• However, make sure that at least the date of recording can be taken from each photo. If you have activated the location services for photos, the location of the recording may also be sent when an image is sent.

Bluetooth

• Under the item Bluetooth you will find all apps that provide data via Bluetooth. However, such apps are very rare.
• If you use such an app, but should not use the Bluetooth transmission, the power consumption increases. It is better to use the function only temporarily.

Twitter and Facebook

• Under Facebook and Twitter you will find all apps in which you have registered via one of the two services. These not only have permissions on your iOS device, but also on your Facebook account.
• As of iOS 6, Twitter and Facebook have a special role. They are integrated directly into the system, which is why the authorizations for this are different. You cannot find out what these two apps can access here, but rather separately in the "Settings" app. To do this, go one step back into the main menu and scroll down to the "Facebook" and "Twitter" items.

Conclusion on iOS permissions

• Unlike with Android apps, the applications are checked in the Apple AppStore before they are downloaded by the users. Nevertheless, consumer advocates advise caution. Always critically question the rights of an app.
• With the web application Cluefulapp you can view the authorizations of numerous iOS apps. You can read the meaning of Android permissions in this practical tip.