Before You Let an App Into Your Google Account

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You download a photo editor, try a new shopping service, or sign up for an online activity group. Instead of creating another password, you tap Sign in with Google. Within seconds, you’re in. It’s convenient, but have you ever stopped to consider what information you’ve agreed to share?

Signing in with Google does not automatically give an app access to everything in your account. The basic sign-in process can share information such as your name, email address, and profile picture.

However, some third-party services may separately request permission to access information in Google Drive, Photos, Calendar, or Contacts. The important distinction is what the app asks to access, not simply which sign-in button you use. 

Before approving a request, read the permissions screen rather than tapping through it automatically. A photo editing app requesting access to selected photos may make sense, for example, but a simple game asking to manage your calendar deserves closer scrutiny. If the requested access seems unrelated to the service, pause and find out why it is needed.

It also helps to distinguish between signing in and granting access to account data. Google does not share your Google Account password with apps using its sign-in feature. Nevertheless, if an app asks you to type your Google password directly into its own unfamiliar webpage, do not proceed. Return to the official service and verify that you are using its legitimate sign-in process. 

You can review existing connections through your Google Account settings. Look for the section covering third-party connections or linked apps, then examine which services have access. 

Remove connections you no longer recognise, trust, or use. Keep in mind that removing access stops future access through that connection, but it does not necessarily delete information the service has already collected. You may need to contact the company separately to request deletion. 

This is particularly worthwhile if you have experimented with lots of free apps over the years. A service you tried once to create a greeting card or organise photographs may still appear among your account connections.

You do not need to avoid useful apps or create a new password for every website. Simply make permission requests a deliberate decision rather than another box to tick. A few minutes reviewing your connections can help you understand which services have access to your digital life and which ones no longer need it.