Discord App Permissions: Give Access Only to What You Really Need
When you install Discord, your phone may ask for access to your microphone, camera, photos, notifications and more. Most requests make sense: you can't join a voice chat without a mic. But every permission you leave switched on is one more door that could be misused if your account is hacked or you are tricked into sharing something. A quick permission check takes about two minutes and cuts down what a scammer could reach.
Two kinds of permissions to know about
There are two layers of control, and both matter.
- Phone permissions: what your device allows Discord to use, such as the camera, microphone, photos, contacts and notifications.
- In-call sharing: what you choose to show others, such as your camera feed or your screen during a call.
Your phone settings protect you from the app. Your own habits protect you from the people on the other end of the call.
How to review Discord's permissions on your phone
- On iPhone: open Settings, scroll down to Discord and look at each toggle.
- On Android: open Settings, tap Apps, choose Discord, then tap Permissions.
- For each permission, ask: "Do I actually use this feature?" If not, switch it off.
- Where you see options like "Only while using the app" or "Ask every time", pick those over "Always allow".
- You can turn a permission back on at any time, so being strict costs you nothing.
What to allow and what to block
- Microphone: allow it only if you use voice chat. If you only text, leave it off and enable it later if needed.
- Camera: keep it off unless you do video calls or take photos inside Discord.
- Photos and files: if your phone lets you share only selected photos, choose that instead of full library access. Your gallery may hold school photos, documents or screenshots of codes.
- Contacts: only allow this if you really want to find friends that way. Otherwise, add people you know by username.
- Location: chatting on Discord doesn't need your location. If an app or bot asks for it, treat that as a red flag.
- Notifications: they are handy, but message previews can show on a lock screen. Hide previews if other people can see your phone.
Screen sharing: the permission scammers love
A common trick is a stranger saying, "Share your screen so I can help you fix it" or "Show me your game so I can check it's real." A shared screen can reveal your email, login codes, private messages and open tabs. Some scammers use it to watch you type a password or a verification code.
- Only share your screen with people you know and trust.
- When you can, share a single window instead of your whole screen.
- Close email, password managers and other private tabs before you start.
- Never read out or show a login code, even to someone who says they work for Discord or a game company.
- Stop sharing the moment you feel unsure. You never have to explain why.
Be careful with fake apps and "upgraded" Discord
Download Discord only from the official app store on your device or from Discord's own website. Be wary of "modified" versions, add-ons or files sent by other users that promise extra features, free Nitro or better graphics. They can ask for access they don't need, and they put your login and your device at risk. If a download arrives through a DM, delete it.
Quick permission checklist
- Open your phone's settings for Discord.
- Turn off location and anything you don't use.
- Set the mic and camera to "Only while using" or "Ask every time" if available.
- Limit photo access to selected items where possible.
- Hide notification previews on your lock screen.
- Practise saying no to screen-share requests from people you don't know.
If something feels wrong
If you shared your screen with someone suspicious, installed something strange or notice odd activity, act quickly. Change your Discord password, log out of other devices, turn on two-factor authentication and block and report the user. Keep screenshots as proof, and tell a parent, carer or another adult you trust. Telling someone is not getting into trouble; it's how problems get fixed faster.
For more guidance, visit Discord's Safety Center at discord.com/safety, where the platform explains its safety tools in plain language.
The takeaway
Permissions are about control. Give Discord the access it needs for the way you actually use it, keep everything else off, and treat every request to share your screen, camera or files as a moment to pause. Small settings choices add up to a much harder target for hackers.