Summary of Android: Unable to access camera/microphone
- How do I access the camera on an Android?
- How to allow camera access in settings?
- How to quick access camera on Android?
- How to enable camera access on a Samsung?
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AI Overview
AI Overview
To manage camera access on Android, go to Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager > Camera to control individual apps, or use the Quick Settings (swipe down twice) to toggle all camera access on/off globally for privacy. You grant permissions per app (Allow only while using, Ask every time, or Deny) to control when apps like social media or video call tools can use your camera, ensuring you maintain control over your device’s camera.
Granting Camera Access to Specific Apps (Per-App)
Open Settings: Find and tap the Settings app icon on your phone.
Navigate to Permissions: Go to Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager (or search “Permission Manager” in Settings).
Select Camera: Tap on Camera to see a list of apps.
Manage Permissions: Tap on a specific app (e.g., Instagram, Zoom) and choose your preferred setting:
Allow only while using the app: The best balance for most apps.
Ask every time: Prompts you each time the app needs the camera.
Don’t allow: Blocks camera access entirely.
This video shows you how to grant camera access to individual apps on your Android device:
58s
Trevor Nace
YouTube · May 19, 2025
Quick Settings for Global Control
Swipe down twice: from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings.
Look for the Camera access or Camera tile (you might need to tap the edit icon to add it).
Tap the tile to toggle camera access on or off for all apps, a quick way to block everything.
You can watch this video to see how to use the Quick Settings to manage your camera:
53s
MDTechVideos
YouTube · Jun 13, 2025
General Tips
App-Specific Shortcut: Press and hold the Camera app icon, tap the ‘i’ (info) icon, then go to Permissions to adjust settings.
For Web Browsers: In your browser (like Chrome), tap the lock icon in the address bar, go to Website Settings, and set Camera to “Ask” or “Allow”.
Related Links
How To Allow Camera Access To Apps On Android – Fastest Guide
Nov 3, 2025 — in this video I’ll be showing you how to allow camera access to apps on your Android. device it’s a very simple method.
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How to Allow Camera Access to Apps on Android | Enable App …
Nov 5, 2025 — hey guys in this video I’m going to show you how to allow camera access to apps on your Android. phone Go ahead and ope…
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If your camera and/or microphone are not working, and clicking on the camera and/or microphone icon give you the following message:
When joining a session for the first time on Zoom, you are prompted to grant permission to access your camera and microphone. (The phrasing is a bit unfortunate, but controlled by Android.) If you deny permission AND ask not to be asked again, you cannot re-enable the camera/microphone through the app.
The instructions below use screencaps taken from Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). If your Android version varies widely, it may be fastest for you to uninstall and reinstall Zoom and re-enter the meeting instead, so that you are prompted again to provide permission to access the camera/microphone.
1. Tap on your Settings icon to open the settings for your device.
2. Scroll down in your Settings until you see the menu for “Apps”, and tap on it to open.
3. Scroll down your list of apps until you find Zoom, and tap on it to open.
4. Tap on the “Permissions” section to open it.
5. Tap on a permission to toggle it on or off. Be sure that BOTH the camera and microphone are toggled on.
6. You can now unmute your camera and/or microphone within Zoom.
This article was last reviewed by our Support team on August 31, 2023.