Binance App Permissions Guide: Which Ones to Grant for Security and Privacy?
The Binance App requests several permissions upon startup. This guide explains what each one does, which are mandatory, and which can be safely denied.
When you install the Binance App, you'll be greeted with a series of permission requests. It's natural to hesitate. First, ensure you've downloaded the authentic Official Binance App from the Binance Website (for iOS, refer to the iOS Installation Guide). If you deny a permission by mistake, you can always re-enable it later.
Permissions Quick Reference Table
| Permission | Mandatory | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Security alerts, trade executions, futures liquidations |
| Camera | Situational | KYC verification, QR code login, scanning payment codes |
| Photos/Gallery | Situational | KYC verification, uploading screenshots to Support |
| Microphone | No | Rarely used |
| Contacts | No | Referral features (Safely deny) |
| Location | No | Compliance checks (Minimal impact if denied) |
| Storage | Yes | Caching and log files |
| Bluetooth | No | Only required for Hardware Keys (e.g., Ledger) |
| Background Run | Yes | Push notifications and price monitoring |
General Principle: Notifications are a must; grant camera access for scanning; deny everything else unless needed.
Detailed Permissions Breakdown
Notifications
The most critical permission for Binance. It covers:
- Login alerts (new devices, different locations)
- Withdrawal confirmations
- Futures liquidation warnings
- Price alerts
- Order execution receipts
Without notification access, you will miss all of the above. Highly recommended to enable.
- iOS: Settings → Notifications → Binance → Allow Notifications + Lock Screen + Banners + Sounds.
- Android: Settings → Apps → Binance → Notifications → Enable all.
Camera
Grant this access for:
- Taking photos of your ID and face for KYC (identity verification).
- Scanning QR codes to log in (desktop-to-mobile handover).
- Scanning deposit or withdrawal address QR codes.
If denied, you will have to copy-paste addresses manually or switch devices for KYC. It is suggested to allow this by default.
Photos (Gallery)
Used if you choose to "Select from Gallery" during KYC or when attaching screenshots for customer support.
- iOS Note: You can use the "Select Photos..." option to grant access to only specific images, which is an excellent middle ground for privacy.
Microphone
Rarely used in the core trading flow. Only occasionally required for video-based identity verification or video calls with support. Default to Deny and enable only when prompted.
Contacts
This is used solely to find friends to invite via the "Referral" feature. Most users prefer not to share their contact list. Safely deny this without any impact on trading.
Location
Binance uses location data for compliance (detecting if you are in a restricted region). However, even if you deny this, Binance can determine your general location via your SIM card or IP address. Default to Deny as the impact is negligible.
Storage / Files
Required to write app cache, logs, and temporary images for KYC. Disabling this may cause app crashes or missing logs during troubleshooting. Recommended to enable.
Bluetooth
Only needed if you use a Ledger or similar hardware security key. Most users don't need this. Default to Deny.
Background Activity
Known as "Background App Refresh" on iOS and "Auto-start / Secondary launch" on Android. Disabling this leads to:
- Delayed or missed push notifications.
- Price alerts not firing.
- Silent notifications during critical futures liquidations.
Highly recommended to enable.
Android-Specific Permissions
Auto-start
Many manufacturer ROMs (Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO) disable auto-start by default.
- Path: Settings → App Launch Manager → Binance → Manual Management → Enable all.
Without this, Binance may not work at all after a phone reboot, and you will miss all alerts.
Display Over Other Apps (Floating Windows)
Required for price alert pop-ups to show over other apps. This significantly improves the experience of monitoring markets while multitasking.
Battery Optimization
Battery savers often kill background processes. Set Binance to "Don't Optimize" or "Unrestricted" in your Battery settings.
iOS-Specific Tips
Background App Refresh
Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Ensure Binance is toggled ON.
Cellular Data
Go to Settings → Cellular → Ensure Binance is ON. Otherwise, the app will only work on WiFi.
Focus Modes
iOS Focus modes can block Binance notifications. Ensure Binance is added to the "Allowed Apps" list in your "Work" or "Sleep" Focus profiles.
How to Revoke Permissions
- iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → [Permission Type] → Find Binance → Toggle OFF.
- Android: Settings → Apps → Binance → Permissions → Revoke as needed.
Revoking permissions is safe; the app will simply ask again the next time it needs them.
Privacy Preferences
If you prefer not to have your usage data analyzed:
- In-App: Settings → Privacy → Opt-out of personalized ads if available.
- iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → Toggle OFF for Binance.
FAQ
Q: Can I complete KYC if I refuse camera access? A: No. KYC requires live facial detection and ID capture. Grant it for the verification process, then revoke it if you wish.
Q: Notifications are on but still not working? A: Check background app refresh, auto-start, battery optimization, and Focus modes.
Q: Does denying contacts affect my login? A: Not at all. It is only for the referral feature.
Q: Is the app recording me secretly? A: On iOS 14+ and Android 12+, a green/orange dot appears in the corner when the camera or mic is active. The official app only activates these when you initiate a relevant action.
Further Reading
Granting too few permissions hurts the app experience; granting too many raises privacy concerns. The tables above provide a balanced approach for most traders.