Why Applore asks for each permission
Applore permissions, one by one: what each Android permission is used for, which feature needs it, whether it is optional, and how to turn it off.
Short answer
Android shows its own screen for most of these permissions. Before the sensitive ones, Applore first explains why in its own words. Menu names differ between phone makers and Android versions.
Query all packages
Used for: the stalkerware check (Needs your review) and the app manager.
To check for stalkerware, Applore needs to see every installed app: who installed it, whether its icon is hidden, which special access it has, the permissions it requests and its signing certificate. An app that is trying to hide cannot be found with a narrower list. The same inventory powers the app manager, such as uninstalling several apps and choosing apps to lock.
This comparison runs on your phone. Your app list is not sent to analytics or advertising services. The one exception is App Category: when you open it, the package names of your apps are sent to Applore’s server to return categories. Learn more in the query all packages glossary entry and the privacy policy.
This is not something you switch on or off in Settings; it comes with installing the app.
All files access
Used for: the file manager, Duplicate Files and Vault Gallery (Pro).
Applore needs All files access to show and manage every file on your phone, find duplicate files across all folders, and keep your private vault. Files stay on your phone unless you choose to back them up to your own Google Drive. Applore does not clean other apps’ data. See the all files access glossary entry.
Usage access
Used for: screen time, App Usage Limits, Focus Mode, Paused Apps, rarely used apps, and App Lock’s default way of noticing when a locked app opens.
Usage information stays on your phone and is not sent to analytics or advertisers. See the usage access glossary entry.
Accessibility service (optional)
Used for: App Lock only, so the lock screen appears straight away.
When you turn it on, the service receives window-change events only and reads just the name of the app that comes to the front. It is set up without access to screen content. It does not read what is on your screen, what you type or your messages, and nothing from it is stored or sent off your phone. Without it, App Lock uses usage access instead. Read more in the accessibility service glossary entry and how App Lock uses accessibility.
Device admin (optional, Pro)
Used for: Protect from uninstall in Advance Lock (Applore Pro).
As a device admin, Applore must be turned off in Settings before it can be uninstalled, so someone else cannot remove it quickly. While active, Android tells Applore about failed screen-unlock attempts. Applore cannot wipe, lock or change your phone through device admin, and you can turn it off at any time. See the device admin glossary entry and the privacy policy.
Contacts, camera, microphone, phone and Bluetooth
These are standard Android permissions. Android asks when you first use the feature.
| Permission | Feature that uses it |
|---|---|
| Contacts | Duplicate Contacts, contact backup and import, All Contacts |
| Accounts on the phone | Filtering contacts by account, and choosing the Google account for Drive backups |
| Camera | Private Camera (Pro), and the flashlight in Hardware Test |
| Microphone | Recording video with sound in Private Camera (Pro) |
| Phone | The network details in Device Information |
| Nearby devices (Bluetooth) | The Bluetooth test in Hardware Test |
| Fingerprint | Unlocking App Lock with your fingerprint |
Contacts, photos and videos are not collected by Applore. They stay on your phone, or go to your own Google Drive if you turn on a backup.
Display over other apps, alarms and battery
- Display over other apps: App Lock shows its lock screen on top of the app you opened. Focus Mode, Paused Apps and App Usage Limits use it for their block screens.
- Alarms and reminders: lets scheduled actions in Applore run at the time you set. Without it, they can run late.
- Ignore battery optimisation: keeps the App Lock service running so locks and limits keep working. Some phone makers also have their own battery or background settings, such as background pop-ups on Xiaomi phones.
- Start at boot: restarts App Lock, limits and scheduled checks after the phone restarts.
Notifications and the consent screen
Notifications are used for App Lock’s running-service notice and for safety reminders. If Needs your review finds something serious, Applore reminds you until you review it, and the alert on the lock screen never names the app.
Before the first scan of your apps, Applore shows a consent screen that explains what the check reads, that it runs on your phone, what App Category sends, and that Applore Free shows ads. Applore does not read your app list for these checks until you choose Allow. If you choose No thanks, Applore explains that it cannot continue without this, and you can review the screen again or exit.
How to revoke a permission
- Standard permissions: open Settings › Apps › Applore › Permissions, tap a permission and choose Don’t allow.
- Special access (All files access, usage access, display over other apps, alarms, battery): open Settings › Apps › Special app access and choose the item, then Applore.
- Accessibility: open Settings › Accessibility, tap Applore and turn it off.
- Device admin: open Settings › Security › Device admin apps (sometimes under More security settings) and turn off Applore.
Turning a permission off stops the features that need it; the rest of Applore keeps working. What stays on your phone and what leaves it summarises where data goes.