Advanced Setup Guide

How to authorize all permissions required during app setup

PhoneRestore does not ask for every possible permission during the normal install flow. It starts with the core permissions most families need so setup stays simpler for seniors.

For a senior Android phone, the current setup flow requests these items up front as needed: notifications on Android 13+, photos and videos access, Bluetooth on Android 12+, accessibility, and modify system settings.

If you are setting up the phone for someone else and want all supported protections ready from the beginning, use this guide to turn on the remaining Android permissions up front.

Important: This guide is for the Android phone being protected. If the family caregiver uses an iPhone, that is fine. The caregiver can still use iPhone as the helper device, but the senior phone itself needs Android for PhoneRestore's main restore and monitoring features.
Important: Android menu names vary by phone brand and Android version. If a label is slightly different, look for the PhoneRestore app entry and the permission switch described in the step.

Jump to:

Permissions PhoneRestore may use

Notifications

Allows PhoneRestore to alert the senior or caregiver when settings change or a restore needs attention.

Photos and videos access

Requested during normal senior-phone setup. Needed for deleted photo detection and helping recover recently deleted photos or videos.

Bluetooth permission

Requested during normal senior-phone setup on Android 12 and newer so PhoneRestore can help detect and restore Bluetooth state.

Accessibility Service

Lets PhoneRestore help navigate Android settings screens and restore supported settings. PhoneRestore does not use this to read messages, passwords, or personal content.

Modify system settings

Allows PhoneRestore to restore settings such as brightness, volume, font size, auto-rotate, and screen timeout where Android permits it.

Do Not Disturb access

Usually requested later only if PhoneRestore needs to fix Do Not Disturb on that device. You can also turn it on now if you want complete setup up front.

Battery or background permission

Usually not required during initial onboarding. Some phones call this Unrestricted, Allow background activity, Never sleeping, or Ignore battery optimization. If your phone later proves too aggressive about killing background monitoring, turning this on can help.

Samsung Galaxy phones

Notifications

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap PhoneRestore.
  4. Tap Notifications.
  5. Turn on Allow notifications.

Accessibility

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Tap Installed apps.
  4. Tap PhoneRestore.
  5. Turn PhoneRestore on and confirm the Samsung warning.

Modify system settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap the three-dot menu, then Special access.
  4. Tap Change system settings.
  5. Find PhoneRestore and turn it on.

Do Not Disturb access

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap the three-dot menu, then Special access.
  4. Tap Do Not Disturb permission.
  5. Tap PhoneRestore and allow access.

Battery

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then PhoneRestore.
  3. Tap Battery.
  4. Choose Unrestricted, or turn on Allow background activity if that is the option shown.

Motorola / Moto phones

Notifications

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap See all apps if needed.
  4. Tap PhoneRestore.
  5. Tap Notifications and allow notifications.

Accessibility

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Tap PhoneRestore.
  4. Turn Use PhoneRestore on.
  5. Confirm the Android warning and press Back to return.

Modify system settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Special app access.
  4. Tap Modify system settings.
  5. Find PhoneRestore and turn it on.

Do Not Disturb access

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Special app access.
  4. Tap Do Not Disturb access.
  5. Scroll down to PhoneRestore.
  6. Tap PhoneRestore.
  7. Turn Allow Do Not Disturb access on.
  8. Press Back to return to PhoneRestore.

Battery

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then PhoneRestore.
  3. Tap App battery usage or Battery.
  4. Choose Unrestricted if available.

Google Pixel / stock Android phones

Notifications, Accessibility, and system settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Special app access.
  4. Use Modify system settings, Do Not Disturb access, and Battery optimization to find PhoneRestore and allow each item.

Accessibility

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Tap PhoneRestore.
  4. Turn Use PhoneRestore on and confirm.

OnePlus phones

OnePlus generally follows the stock Android pattern, but battery settings may be more aggressive.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then App management.
  3. Tap PhoneRestore.
  4. Allow Notifications.
  5. Use Special app access for Modify system settings and Do Not Disturb access.
  6. Open Battery usage and allow background activity or choose Unrestricted if shown.

Xiaomi / Redmi phones

Xiaomi and Redmi phones often add extra background restrictions. If PhoneRestore stops monitoring, check both Android permissions and battery/background controls.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then Manage apps.
  3. Tap PhoneRestore.
  4. Allow Notifications and any requested permissions.
  5. Open Other permissions or Special permissions and allow Modify system settings and Do Not Disturb access if shown.
  6. Open Battery saver for PhoneRestore and choose No restrictions if available.
  7. If your phone has Autostart, allow PhoneRestore to autostart.

TCL and other Android phones

Menu names vary most on lower-cost Android phones. Use this fallback path if your screen does not match the Samsung, Moto, or Pixel instructions.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Find PhoneRestore.
  4. Allow Notifications.
  5. Look for Permissions, Battery, and Special app access.
  6. Turn on Accessibility, Modify system settings, Do Not Disturb access, and unrestricted background use where available.
Need help? Email support@getphonerestore.com. Include your phone brand, model, Android version, and which step does not match your screen.

This guide is for advanced setup. Most users can follow the normal PhoneRestore installation flow and allow permissions only when the app asks for them. During normal setup, Do Not Disturb and battery/background changes are often handled later instead of up front.