Did you know that your smartphone’s camera may have hidden permissions that allow it to operate without your knowledge? Many users are unaware that their camera can potentially record photos or videos even when it seems inactive — and worse, send them to the internet.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through crucial privacy settings you can adjust on your Android phone to stop your camera from being used for spying. These steps will ensure you maintain control over your camera usage, protect your privacy, and extend your battery life by preventing background access.

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Step 1: Check Hidden Permissions of the Camera App

The first step is to examine what permissions your camera app currently has, including hidden ones.

1. Open your phone’s main Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Apps”.
3. In the Apps menu, use the search bar to type “Camera” and tap on the Camera application.
4. Tap on “Permissions”.

You’ll see a list of obvious permissions such as:

• Camera
• Microphone
• Location
• Nearby devices
• Notifications
• Photos and videos

However, these aren’t the only permissions. Here’s how to find the hidden ones:

5. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
6. Select “All permissions”.

You may find that the Camera app also has full access to the network, which means it can technically transmit data — including photos or videos — online.

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Step 2: Disable “Change System Settings” Permission

To prevent unauthorized camera activation, you can revoke its ability to change system settings.

1. Go back to the Camera App Info screen.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Change system settings”.
3. Turn off the toggle next to “Allow permission”.

This will not affect your ability to use the camera manually, but it will block apps or processes from turning it on in the background without your awareness.

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Step 3: Restrict Background Battery Usage

Camera apps don’t need to run in the background unless you’re actively using them. Running in the background drains battery and increases risk.

1. In the Camera App Info screen, scroll down and tap on “Battery”.
2. Choose “Restricted”.

This will stop the camera app from operating when it’s not open, helping save battery and improving privacy.

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Step 4: Check Which Apps Have Recently Accessed Your Camera

Many apps — like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Messenger — have access to your phone’s camera. While this might be necessary during video calls or for uploading stories, it’s a potential privacy risk.

Here’s how to monitor and control which apps have used your camera:

1. Open Settings > Security & Privacy.
2. Scroll down to the “Privacy” section.
3. Tap “Permissions”.
4. Choose “Camera”, and set the time frame to 7 days to see recent access.

If you notice any suspicious app accessing your camera, you have two options:

• Uninstall the app.
• Change its camera permission.

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Step 5: Manage Camera Permissions for Each App

To fine-tune control over each app:

1. While still in the Permissions > Camera screen, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Select “Manage apps with this permission.”
3. You’ll see all apps that currently have camera access.

Here are our recommendations:

• Set the default Camera app to “Allow only while using the app.”
• For all other apps like Messenger, Facebook, etc., set permission to “Ask every time.”

Example:

• Tap on Messenger.
• Change the permission to “Ask every time.”

Now, whenever the app tries to access your camera, your phone will notify you and ask for permission — keeping you in control.

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Test the Permissions

To verify it works:

1. Open an app like Messenger.
2. Try to initiate a video call.
3. The phone should prompt you to allow camera access.

This confirms the app can’t turn on your camera silently in the background.

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Conclusion

By following these steps, you ensure that your smartphone camera remains under your control, significantly reducing the chances of unauthorized use or spying. These tweaks not only protect your privacy but also help your phone run more efficiently by disabling unnecessary background operations.

For more tips on managing your device security, keep checking back on this blog.

For official Android settings guidance, visit the Android website.

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Tags:

camera privacy settings, phone spying prevention, android camera permission, block background camera access, app permission control, secure phone settings, prevent spying via phone camera, android security tips

Hashtags:

#CameraPrivacy #AndroidSecurity #PhoneSafety #BlockSpying #MobilePrivacy #AppPermissions #DataProtection #SecureYourPhone

Rakesh Bhardwaj

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a seasoned editor and designer with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He specializes in crafting visually compelling and professionally polished content, blending precision with creativity. Whether refining written work or designing impactful visuals, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of layout, typography, and narrative flow to every project he undertakes.

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