Android · Apps
Manage advanced app permissions
Special app access holds a set of sensitive, less-common permissions — like displaying over other apps, device admin access, or usage access — that aren't part of the normal runtime permission prompts.
How to open Special App Access
- Open Settings > Apps > Special app access.
- Choose a category, such as Display over other apps or Device admin apps.
- Review which apps currently have that access.
- Toggle any app off to revoke the permission.
What you should know
- 'Display over other apps' controls which apps can draw overlays on top of everything else, like chat heads or screen dimmers.
- 'Device admin apps' lists apps (often work profiles or security tools) with elevated control over the device.
- 'Usage access' lets apps see your app-usage history, used by digital wellbeing and some launcher apps.
- 'Modify system settings' and 'Unrestricted data' are additional toggles found in this same section.
Because these permissions are more powerful than everyday ones, apps can't request them through a normal pop-up — you have to grant them manually here.
Why it matters
Overlay and device admin permissions are commonly abused by malicious apps to create fake login screens or resist uninstallation, so reviewing this list occasionally is a real security safeguard, not just housekeeping.
Best practices
- Periodically review 'Display over other apps' and revoke it from anything you don't recognize or no longer use.
- Only grant 'Device admin' access to trusted security or work-management apps.
- Turn off 'Usage access' for any app that doesn't have a clear reason to need your usage history.
Common problems and fixes
- An app can't be uninstalled.
- Check Device admin apps for that app and remove its admin access first, then uninstall normally.
- A suspicious overlay or fake system dialog keeps appearing.
- Check Display over other apps for unfamiliar apps and revoke the permission, then run a security scan.
Tips and tricks
- If Play Protect flags an app, check Special app access first — malware frequently requests overlay or device admin permissions to resist removal.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't a permission I need listed as a normal toggle?
Special permissions are considered higher-risk, so Android intentionally requires you to grant them manually here rather than through an in-app prompt.
Is it safe to leave 'Display over other apps' off by default?
Yes, most apps work fine without it — only enable it for apps that specifically need overlays, like screen recorders or call-blocking tools.
Related settings
- App InfoApp info is the dedicated settings page for a single installed app, showing its permissions, storage and cache usage, notification controls, battery behavior, and options to force stop, uninstall, or disable it.
- App PermissionsApp permissions control what each app is allowed to access — camera, microphone, location, contacts, and more. You can review and change these at any time, per app or per permission type.
- Privacy DashboardThe Privacy Dashboard gives you a timeline of exactly which apps accessed your camera, microphone, and location, and when — so you can spot anything unexpected at a glance.
More Apps guides for Android
- Apps & Default AppsThe Apps settings page lists every installed app along with its permissions, storage use, and battery impact, and lets you set which app opens automatically for tasks like browsing, messaging, or phone calls when more than one option is installed. This is also where you uninstall, disable, or force-stop an app directly.
- Unused AppsAndroid automatically detects apps you haven't opened in months and can revoke their runtime permissions or archive them — removing most of the app's files while keeping its icon and data so it can be quickly restored.
- Dual AppsDual apps (branded Dual Messenger on Samsung, App Cloner or Parallel Space on others) creates a second, independent instance of a supported app so you can stay signed into two accounts — like two WhatsApp numbers — on one phone at once.
- Notifications Per AppThis app-level screen lets you fine-tune notifications for one specific app, toggling individual notification channels such as promotions, messages, or reminders, and setting importance levels without affecting notifications from any other app.
- Permission ManagerPermission Manager organizes app permissions by category, such as Camera, Location, Microphone, and Contacts, so you can see and revoke access across all apps at once instead of checking each app individually.
- Adaptive Battery / App Battery UsageAdaptive Battery uses on-device machine learning to predict which apps you'll use next and restricts battery and background activity for apps you rarely open, while App Battery Usage shows a breakdown of exactly which apps are consuming the most power.