> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mentraglass.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Permissions

> Control what device data your app can access

## Available Permissions

| Permission               | Unlocks                       | Required For                         |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **MICROPHONE**           | Voice input, audio processing | Transcription, audio chunks          |
| **LOCATION**             | GPS coordinates               | Location tracking                    |
| **BACKGROUND\_LOCATION** | Location when app inactive    | Background tracking                  |
| **CAMERA**               | Camera access                 | Camera features on supported glasses |
| **CALENDAR**             | Calendar events               | Event notifications                  |
| **READ\_NOTIFICATIONS**  | Phone notifications           | Notification filtering               |
| **POST\_NOTIFICATIONS**  | Send notifications            | Push notifications                   |

## How Permissions Work

1. **Declare in Developer Console** - Set required permissions for your app
2. **User approval** - Users see and approve permissions when installing
3. **Automatic enforcement** - Cloud blocks access to features without permission
4. **No code needed** - Just declare permissions, SDK handles the rest

## Setting Permissions

**In the [Developer Console](https://console.mentra.glass/apps):**

1. Open your app
2. Go to "Permissions" section
3. Click "Add Permission"
4. Select permission type
5. Add description (shown to users)
6. Save

**Example:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "type": "MICROPHONE",
  "description": "To listen to your voice commands"
}
```

## Permission Descriptions

**Write clear descriptions explaining why you need each permission:**

```
✅ Good:
"To transcribe your voice commands and control the app hands-free"

❌ Avoid:
"Microphone access"
```

## What Each Permission Unlocks

### MICROPHONE

```typescript theme={null}
// These require MICROPHONE permission:
session.events.onTranscription((data) => {});
session.events.onAudioChunk((data) => {});
session.events.onVAD((data) => {});
```

### LOCATION

```typescript theme={null}
// These require LOCATION permission:
session.location.subscribeToStream({ accuracy: 'high' }, (data) => {});
const location = await session.location.getLatestLocation();
```

### CAMERA

Camera features require the `CAMERA` permission. Camera capture, photo upload, and camera streaming are documented in the standalone [Mentra Bluetooth SDK docs](https://bluetooth-sdk-docs.mentra.glass/camera-streaming/).

### READ\_NOTIFICATIONS

```typescript theme={null}
// These require READ_NOTIFICATIONS permission:
session.events.onPhoneNotification((data) => {});
session.events.onNotificationDismissed((data) => {});
```

### CALENDAR

```typescript theme={null}
// Requires CALENDAR permission:
session.events.on(StreamType.CALENDAR_EVENT, (data) => {});
```

## Runtime Behavior

**Permission granted:**

* Events work normally
* Data streams to your app
* No errors

**Permission not declared:**

* SDK shows warning in console
* Events don't fire
* No data received

**Permission denied by user:**

* Same as not declared
* User must approve in settings to enable

## Best Practices

**Only request what you need:**

```typescript theme={null}
// ✅ Good - minimal permissions
{
  "permissions": [
    { "type": "MICROPHONE", "description": "For voice commands" }
  ]
}

// ❌ Avoid - requesting everything
{
  "permissions": [
    { "type": "MICROPHONE", ... },
    { "type": "LOCATION", ... },
    { "type": "READ_NOTIFICATIONS", ... }
    // User less likely to install
  ]
}
```

**Be transparent:**

* Explain why you need each permission
* Use permissions for stated purpose only
* Don't request permissions you don't use

**No code needed:**

* Don't check permissions in code
* Declare in Developer Console
* Cloud handles enforcement automatically

## Troubleshooting

**Events not firing:**

1. Check permission is declared in Developer Console
2. Verify user approved permission
3. Look for SDK warnings in console logs

**SDK warnings:**

```
⚠️ MICROPHONE permission not declared for com.example.myapp
```

Solution: Add permission in Developer Console

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Hardware & Capabilities" icon="microchip" href="/app-devs/core-concepts/hardware-capabilities/overview">
    Check what hardware is available
  </Card>

  <Card title="Events & Data" icon="bolt" href="/app-devs/core-concepts/app-session/events-and-data">
    Subscribe to event streams
  </Card>

  <Card title="Developer Console" icon="browser" href="https://console.mentra.glass/apps">
    Manage your app permissions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Event Types" icon="book" href="/app-devs/reference/interfaces/event-types">
    See all event types
  </Card>
</CardGroup>