Google is Changing an Outdated Contact Access Rule in Android

Android users often face a situation where apps request access to all of their contacts without any filtering. The current system operates on an "all-or-nothing" principle, but this approach could become a thing of the past in the next major OS version. In early builds of Android 17, developers have discovered a new system tool — "Contacts Selection." Its purpose is to act as an intermediary between your phonebook and apps. Instead of granting an application full access, the user will be able to manually choose which specific contacts to share.

The feature works on a one-time basis. The app will only receive information about the selected contacts; it won't see the other entries and won't be able to track their future changes. Developers will also have the option to specify what exact data they need — for instance, only phone numbers or email addresses when the app makes a request.

The main challenge is getting older apps to switch to the new mechanism, as it's currently a voluntary initiative. However, according to insiders, Google will most likely take a proven path. The company may add support for the feature to its libraries for older Android versions and then gently mandate that developers use the new tool through app store policies.

If this plan works, many apps in the future will no longer need access to your entire phonebook, which will be a significant step forward for personal data protection.

Previously, the company announced strict developer verification rules for installing apps from outside of official stores, but after community criticism, it made adjustments. Instead of a total ban, starting in 2026, an "advanced mode" will appear, allowing experienced users to manually permit the installation of unverified programs.