When you install an app on an Android device, you control app permissions. Permissions let you choose which capabilities or info that an app can use. Learn how to change app permissions.
Harmful apps might ask you to change settings that put your device or data at risk. To protect you from harmful apps, some device settings may be restricted when you install an app. These restricted settings can’t be changed unless you allow restricted settings.
How to identify a scam
Scammers use various methods to trick people into downloading harmful apps to get to their personal data. Consider the following example scenarios to determine if an app could be a scam.
You’ve been contacted out of nowhere
Unexpected messages should raise suspicion. Fraudsters often send convincing text messages or emails. For example, they may claim you have a missed delivery or voicemail.
The app insists you change a device setting
Apps typically explain why a permission or setting must be changed before it asks you to change them. Requests made by harmful apps are often unexplained or don’t make sense.
It’s too good to be true
Harmful apps might claim to improve the performance of your phone, or offer content that you'd expect to pay for. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
There are spelling & grammar mistakes
Messages and apps that have spelling and grammar errors are likely from scammers. Legitimate organizations will rarely make these mistakes when they contact you.
When you enable restricted settings, you allow apps to get access to sensitive info that could put your personal data at risk. We don’t recommend that you allow restricted settings unless you trust the app developer.
Some legitimate apps might ask you to enable restricted settings. For example, an app that’s designed to support people with disabilities might ask you to turn on accessibility settings. With access to accessibility settings, the app can read content on your screen and interact with apps on your behalf.
On your Android device, open the Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap the app that you want to turn on a restricted setting for.
Tip: If you can't find it, first tap See all apps or App info.
Go to the Apps section. Select the app you want to remove access restrictions for. In the upper right corner, tap on the three dots icon. Select Allow restricted settings.
Go to the Apps section. Select the app you want to remove access restrictions for. In the upper right corner, tap on the three dots icon. Select Allow restricted settings.
Go to the Apps section. Select the app you want to remove access restrictions for. In the upper right corner, tap on the three dots icon. Select Allow restricted settings.
A restricted call is when someone wishes their number to be blocked from being revealed through caller ID, and so they restrict it from caller ID identification.
Here's how to block restricted numbers with this feature on Android: Open call history.Tap i icon to see the detailed information about the call.Click on the three dots in the bottom right corner and choose Block contact in the popup menu.
Press and hold the Power button, then tap Power off in the pop-up menu.Press and hold the "Recovery" combination. This button combination will vary from Android to Android, but will usually involve holding down some combination of the Power button, the Home button, and/or the Volume button(s).
Then, click on "Settings" and scroll down to the bottom of the page.Under "Restricted Mode," make sure the toggle is turned off. Go to your browser settings and clear your cache and cookies. This will erase any stored data, including cookies that may be interfering with strict mode.
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Allow restricted settings.