How to check app permissions on Android before installing a finance app

Before you download a loan or finance app, you need to know exactly what it can see on your phone. Learn how to check app permissions on Android using the Google Play Store data safety label. Find out which permissions the RBI bans and how to protect your contacts and call logs.

By Qrates research desk · 2026-10-27

Before you download a loan or finance app, you need to know exactly what it can see on your phone. If you are already in the store, checking the data safety label takes just two minutes and can protect your data from harassment scams.

Quick answer

To check app permissions on Android before installing, open the Google Play Store and search for the app. Scroll down to the Data safety section and tap See details. Look under Data collected to see if the app asks for your contacts, call logs, or location.

What you need before you start

You need three things to check an app properly.

An Android phone connected to the internet.
The exact name of the loan or finance app you want to check.
The knowledge that the RBI rules ban loan apps from reading your phone contacts and call logs (Reserve Bank of India, Digital Lending Directions, 2025).

How to check app permissions before downloading

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store app info page

Search for the finance app on the Google Play Store. Tap on its name to open the main app info section. Do not tap the install button yet.

Step 2: Open the Data safety label

Scroll down past the screenshots and the user reviews. Find the Data safety box on the page. Tap the arrow or the See details link to open the privacy dashboard.

Step 3: Look for contacts and call log requests

Read the list of data the app collects. Stop immediately if you see Contacts or Call logs listed. Modern Android phones separate call logs into their own permission, so look for both.

Step 4: Check the About this app section for the NBFC name

Go back to the main page and tap About this app. Scroll through the description to see if they list a registered NBFC or bank partner. Legal loan apps in India are required to disclose the name of the bank or NBFC providing the funds (Reserve Bank of India, Loans Sourced by Banks and NBFCs over Digital Lending Platforms). You can also learn how to check if a loan app is RBI registered in 2026 to ensure the lender is legitimate.

Dangerous app permissions to avoid in finance apps

The RBI rules clearly state that digital lending apps cannot access your contacts, call logs, or media files (Reserve Bank of India, Digital Lending Directions, 2025). If a loan app asks for contacts access, it is a major red flag for a harassment scam. The RBI requires all regulated entities and their digital lending apps to desist from accessing mobile phone telephony functions.

Permission	What the app can do	Is it allowed for loan apps?
Contacts	Read every phone number saved on your device.	No. The RBI strictly prohibits this.
Call logs	See who you called and who called you.	No. The RBI strictly prohibits this.
Media files	View your personal photos and videos.	No. The RBI strictly prohibits this.
Location	Track where you are using GPS.	Yes, but only with your explicit consent.

Location tracking is permitted for finance apps. However, they can only collect this data if you give them clear consent (Reserve Bank of India, Digital Lending Directions, 2025). Understanding RBI digital lending rules explained for borrowers is essential for your financial safety.

How long it takes and what it costs

Checking the Google Play Store app permissions takes about two minutes per app. This process is completely free (Google Play Store features and safety checks). It does not require you to download the app to your phone.

If it does not work: How to remove permissions or report an app

How to revoke permissions in Android Settings

If you already installed the app, open your phone Settings and tap Apps. Select the finance app and tap Permissions to see what it can access. Turn off the switches for contacts, SMS, or call logs to revoke permissions.

Where to report illegal loan apps

If the app will not work without illegal permissions, uninstall it immediately. You can report apps asking for contacts to the RBI Sachet portal (RBI Sachet portal guidelines and reporting mechanisms). You should also flag the app as inappropriate on the Google Play Store. For specific concerns, you can compare BankBazaar vs GoodScore: App permissions, spam calls and RBI rules in 2026 to see how reputable platforms handle user data.

You can check the exact phone permissions, RBI licence status, and complaint history for any Indian money app on the Qrates app directory before you even open the Google Play Store.

FAQs

Loan app contacts hack kaise roke?

Do not grant contacts permission when installing the app. If you already did, you can revoke it in your phone Settings under Apps and Permissions.

Can loan apps read my WhatsApp messages?

Android apps cannot read your WhatsApp messages unless you give them specific access. This includes screen recording, accessibility permissions, or Notification Access which lets them read your message previews.

Is it safe to give SMS permission to a loan app?

The RBI requires all regulated digital lending apps to stop accessing mobile phone resources like telephony functions (Reserve Bank of India, Digital Lending Directions, 2025). Google Play also strictly restricts SMS permissions to apps acting as your default SMS app. You should avoid apps that force you to grant SMS access.

The short version

You can check app permissions in the Google Play Store under the Data safety section before downloading.
The RBI prohibits digital lending apps from accessing your contacts, call logs, and media files.
Legal loan apps must clearly state the name of their partner bank or NBFC in the app description.
You can revoke permissions for apps you already installed through your Android phone settings.
Illegal loan apps can be reported to the RBI Sachet portal.