Android 11’s App Permissions Auto-Reset Feature is Coming to Older Phones

Sep. 18, 2021

Before Google started to take app permissions seriously, Android apps were notorious for requesting intrusive permissions even if the app doesn’t necessarily need them to function. With Android 11, Google introduced a new approach thatautomatically revokes unused permissionsin a few months. The company is now bringing this useful feature to older Android phones.

Auto-Reset Permissions for Unused Apps on Android

Permissions auto-reset feature will beenabled by default for apps targeting Android 11 (API level 30)or newer. However, users will have the option to manually control auto-reset settings from the app permissions page for apps targeting API levels 23 to 29. Look for a toggle that says‘Remove permissions if app isn’t used’and flip the toggle accordingly.

Developers can request the user to disable auto-reset if the app requires it. Google recommends requesting users to disable auto-reset if the app is meant for running in the background. Some use-cases include apps that providefamily safety, sync data, communicate with smart devices, or pair to companion devices. Notable exceptions to auto-reset permissions include active Device Administrator apps of enterprises and permissions fixed by enterprise policy.

While you wait for auto-reset permissions to hit your device, consider taking a look at our guide to manuallychange app permissions on Android. We also have a separate guide featuring an app that bringsAndroid 11’s temporary permissions featureto any Android phone.

Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.