Quick take: You can manage permissions by permission type or per app.
• By type: Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Permission manager → [pick a permission] → [pick an app] → choose Allow / Don’t allow (and other options if available). Google Help
• Per app: Settings → Apps → [App] → Permissions → [choose each permission]. Google Help

What permissions control (and common choices)

Modern Android uses runtime permissions that you can change at any time. Typical choices include Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don’t allow (wording varies by permission/OEM). For Location, you can also toggle Precise vs. Approximate. Google Help

• Notifications are a permission on Android 13+; apps must request POST_NOTIFICATIONS, and you can allow/deny. Android Developers+1

• Photos & videos: Android 14 introduces Selected Photos Access, allowing you to grant access to only specific items instead of your entire library. Android Developers+1

• Nearby devices (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi devices) are controlled as a group in system settings; you enable/disable the whole group per app. Android Developers+1

Method A — Manage permissions by type (fast audit)

1. Open Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Permission manager.

2. Tap a permission (e.g., Camera, Location, Photos and videos, Microphone, Notifications).

3. Tap an app → choose the permission option you want. Google Help

Tip: To see which apps accessed location/camera/mic recently, open Privacy dashboard then tap a permission to drill down. Google Help

Method B — Manage permissions per app (granular control)

1. Go to Settings → Apps → [App] → Permissions.

2. Open each permission and pick Allow, Allow while using, Ask every time, or Don’t allow (options vary). Google HelpSamsung

Quick toggle for camera/mic device-wide: add the tiles in Quick Settings and switch Camera access / Microphone access off when needed. Google Help

Special app access you might want to review

Some powerful capabilities live under Special app access:

• Display over other apps (Appear on top) — helpful to disable whether pop-ups/overlays interfere.
  Path (stock): Settings → Apps → Special app access → Display over other apps → review per app. (On Galaxy, see Special access → Appear on top.) Google Help

• Others you may see include: Modify system settings, Battery optimization exemptions, and All files access (Names vary by device). Google Help

Brand-specific paths

• Samsung (One UI 6/7):

  • Per app: Settings → Apps → [App] → Permissions with choices like Allow only while using the app / Ask every time / Don’t allow. Samsung

  • By type: Settings → Security and privacy → Permission manager. Samsung

• Xiaomi / HyperOS:

  • By type: Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Permission manager, then pick permission → app → choose option. Xiaomi

Smarter privacy: features to know

• Auto-reset for unused apps: Android can revoke permissions and pause activity for apps you haven’t used in a while. Review under Settings → Apps → Unused apps (or on each app’s page). Google Help

• Photos picker (Android 13+): many apps can let you pick images without granting storage permission at all. Android Developers

Troubleshooting

• The permission option is greyed out or keeps reverting: the device may be work-managed (under an enterprise policy) or under Family Link. Admins/parents can restrict changes. Google Help+1

• “Restricted settings” prompt when enabling certain features (e.g., Accessibility): You may need to allow restricted settings for that app first explicitly. Google Help

• Annoying overlays blocking taps: check 'Display over other apps' and temporarily disable it for the culprit app; then try again. Google Help

FAQs

Where do I change the “Precise vs. Approximate” location?
Per-app: Settings → Apps → [App] → Permissions → Location → toggle Precise on/off (if offered). Google Help

How do I see which app used my mic/camera recently?
Open the Privacy dashboard and tap Microphone or Camera to view recent access and jump to each app. Google Help

Do I have to allow notifications?
No. On Android 13+, notifications are a permission you can deny; change it in the app’s page or the Permission manager. Android Developers