Android users are familiar with the idea of app permissions since installing or updating apps triggers a notice about what permissions an app requires. However, just knowing what permissions an app requires can be limiting since users have to accept all or none of the permissions. Android 4.3 appears to have changed that as users have found a “hidden through obscurity” setting that gives users the ability to turn individual permissions on and off for an app.
The new function was discovered during a teardown of Android 4.3. The name of the feature is “App Ops” and can be accessed by selecting any app that has an activity and then going to settings, then selecting App Ops. Better yet, a Permission Manager has already been developed to make it easier to access the App Ops function.
Once you fire up the Permission Manager app, you will find a tabbed listing of the apps on your device. Pick the one you want to adjust and on the next screen you will be presented with a list of the apps permissions along with buttons to turn each one on or off. It does appear you have to have enabled some functions in an app before the corresponding permission will show for possible adjustment. For example, if you have not given Facebook access to the contacts on your smartphone, the access to contacts permission may not show up on the list even though it is one of the stated permissions when the app is installed.
If you decide to give this a try and adjust some individual permissions, you should probably keep in mind Google kept this function relatively hidden for a reason. It is not clear what may happen to an app if you start tinkering with the permissions the developer designed the app to use.
The Permission Manager app can be accessed using one of the download links below.
Google Play Download Link
source: Android Police
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