GOOGLE PIXEL
How to turn off camera and microphone access on a Google Pixel (Android 17)
In short
Open Settings, Security and privacy, Privacy controls. Under Controls, turn off Camera access or Microphone access to block it for apps and services. With Camera access off, our Camera app asked Unblock device camera? Turn the switch back on to undo it.
7 of 7 steps show a real screenshot from our Pixel 10a. Each step was checked against the maker's own instructions, linked at the end.
Steps
- 1
Open Security and privacy
Open Settings and tap Security and privacy.
- 2
Tap Privacy controls
Scroll down to the Privacy heading and tap Privacy controls: Permissions, controls.
- 3
Find Camera access and Microphone access
Under Controls, Camera access and Microphone access both say For apps and services; both were on on ours. The Microphone access note says that if it is off, microphone data may still be shared when you call an emergency number.
- 4
Turn off Camera access
Tap the Camera access switch. It turns dark with an X. Microphone access works the same way; we left it on.
- 5
Open the Camera app
Ours asked: Unblock device camera? This unblocks access for all apps and services allowed to use your camera. Tap Cancel to keep it blocked, or Unblock to turn the camera back on.
- 6
Cancel: the camera stays black
We tapped Cancel. The Camera app stayed open with its buttons, but the viewfinder was black.
- 7
Turn Camera access back on
Go back to Settings, Security and privacy, Privacy controls and tap the Camera access switch again. It shows a tick. Our Camera app showed a live picture again after that.
If you do not see this option
- What happens with the microphone off? We did not turn Microphone access off, so we can't say what apps show then. Its note on ours says microphone data may still be shared when you call an emergency number. Source: Change app permissions on your Android phone
- Path differs from Google's help? Google says Security and privacy, Privacy, Privacy controls. On ours Privacy is a heading on the Security and privacy page, and Privacy controls is the first row under it. Source: Change app permissions on your Android phone
- Want to block one app only? Permission manager, the first row on Privacy controls, sets the camera and microphone app by app. These switches block them for every app and service. Source: Change app permissions on your Android phone
If this does not work
- Camera app asks Unblock device camera? Camera access is off. Tap Unblock, or turn Camera access back on in Settings, Security and privacy, Privacy controls.
- Camera shows only black? After we tapped Cancel on the unblock question, ours stayed black. Turn Camera access back on, then open the Camera app again.
- Need the camera for one app only? Leave Camera access on and change that app's permission instead: change app permissions on a Pixel.
- Video call shows a black picture? With Camera access off, video call apps cannot use the camera either, just like the Camera app. Turn it back on before the call, then off again afterwards if you want.
- Voice notes or voice search stopped working? Check Microphone access. With it off, apps that record sound, such as voice messages or the Recorder app, get no microphone.
Good to know
See which apps used the camera or mic in the past 24 hours: use the privacy dashboard on a Pixel.
Change the camera or mic for one app at a time: change app permissions on a Pixel.
App permissions stay as they were. The unblock question on ours said it unblocks access for all apps and services allowed to use your camera, so each app gets back the access it had before. It is a quick privacy step for a meeting, as long as you turn it back on later.
About this guide
- Device
- Android
- Shown on
- Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Security and privacy › Privacy controls › Camera access
- Real screenshots
- 7 of 7 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Spotted a mistake? Menus change with updates, and we want every step to match your screen. Email us about this page or use the contact form. We read every report, and fixes are listed on What changed.
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