Auto-Reset Permissions for Unused Apps on Android
In a new post on the Android Developers blog, Google announced its plans to bring permission auto-reset feature to Android devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow (API level 23) and newer. It will start rolling out through a Google Play Services update starting this December. Google says the feature will reach all supported devices in the first quarter of 2022.
Permissions auto-reset feature will be enabled 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 provide family 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 manually change app permissions on Android. We also have a separate guide featuring an app that brings Android 11’s temporary permissions feature to any Android phone.
