Why do I need this app to work?
Why do I need this app to work?
I used to not be a regular computer user back when. From 1995 until maybe 2002, whenever I installed programs like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, or Goldwave, I never had to say yes to giving the apps permission to look at my files unless I just clicked Yes on the pop-ups without reading what they wanted. Back then, mobile phone apps always asked for permissions to see all kinds of file locations, even sometimes asking for access to things like contacts or photos that didn't seem related to the app at all. So here is my question: do computer programs actually ask for permission before they can read your files?
phone "apps" == PC apps. That's why they ask for permissions from the OS like Android or iOS because that's how it works. Sometimes a specific app asks for access to the 'Torch' (flashlight) feature just so random people can see them, without any good reason. Imagine an app wants to put a cat face on top of your real face. The programmer wrote the code to do that. But then he also needs to talk to the phone OS, interact with the camera, and know where you are so he can tell your friends (Contact List!) where you are. He could write his own interface to talk to the phone or use some...
Yes, it is true, especially in almost all cases. It's smart to watch any third party apps that ask for permission when they install them, since most often these things bring adware and make normal computer use annoying. To be curious, where are you getting the app from on your PC?
Thanks for your quick reply. I am not actually getting app downloads or using an app on a PC at all. I have only ever used regular type software on the computer, and I installed it by putting in a real copy of the disc that came with it. I just want to know why mobile phone apps from the App Store or Google Play say they can get access to different places inside the phone. Because I never had to give permission when I put traditional software on my PC before. I haven't put anything on a computer for at least 20 years, and I didn't even know there were app versions of software available for PCs or laptops back then. Back in the day, I thought apps were only made for mobile phones and iPads, not for regular computers.
phone apps are like PC programs. Why do they ask for so many permissions? Because the phone's operating system needs them to work. Sometimes a developer asks too much just because they don't know better. For example, maybe an app wants to show a cat face over your own face. So it writes code to let its computer see you and talk to the phone OS. It also might need your GPS so friends can see where you are when you post something. The developer could write all this himself or use a ready-made package that gives everything: location, flashlight, contacts, etc. But the cat face feature doesn't actually need many of those things, yet the app still asks for them. Most PC apps also show you clearly before letting you install them. You just have to click "I agree," which nobody ever reads because it's too long!
USAF Ret... Thanks so much for your really helpful and thoughtful reply.