Having multiple apps connected to your Google account can be useful, but it’s important to understand what permissions those apps have and to keep track of what you’ve connected. Here are some quick tips on how to view and manage the apps connected to your Google account.
Check Connected Apps in Your Google Account
The easiest way to see what apps are connected to your Google account is to go directly to your Google account settings. Here’s how:
- Go to https://myaccount.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
- On the left sidebar, select “Security”.
- Under “Signing in to Google”, select “Connected apps & sites”.
- You will now see a list of all the apps and sites connected to your Google account.
This list includes any app or site that uses your Google account to sign in, as well as any app that you’ve granted access to your Google account data. You can click on each app to see its permissions.
Check Recent Security Events
Another place you can check connected apps is in your recent security events. This shows you a history of important security events for your Google account.
- Go to the Google account settings at https://myaccount.google.com.
- On the left sidebar, select “Security”.
- Under “Activity controls”, select “Manage your activity controls”.
- Go to the “Events” tab.
- Review the list of events to see if any apps were recently connected or disconnected.
Revoke App Access
If you see any apps in your connected apps list that you don’t want connected anymore, you can revoke their access:
- Go to the “Connected apps & sites” page in your Google account settings.
- Click the app you want to remove.
- Click “REMOVE ACCESS”.
The app’s access to your account will be revoked. You may need to repeat the process if the app appears in your list again.
Be Careful When Connecting New Apps
When you connect a new app to your Google account, be sure to check which permissions it requests. Only allow access to data you feel comfortable sharing with that app.
Here are some tips when connecting a new app:
- Read all messages carefully when the app requests access to your Google account.
- Only allow access to the specific account information the app needs.
- Check what permissions are requested before clicking “Allow”.
- Pay attention to whether permissions are broad or limited in scope.
- Consider using a separate Google account just for that app.
Enable Two-Step Verification
For extra security, enable two-step verification on your Google account. This requires you to enter both your password and a separate verification code when signing in.
Here’s how to enable two-step verification:
- Go to the Google account settings at https://myaccount.google.com.
- On the left sidebar, select “Security”.
- Under “Signing in to Google”, select “2-Step Verification”.
- Follow the instructions to set up two-step verification.
With two-step verification enabled, even if an unauthorized person knows your password, they still can’t access your account without the second verification code.
Check Connected Apps on Mobile
If you use your Google account to sign in to apps on your mobile device, you can view and manage connected apps through your device settings:
- Android: Open Settings > Accounts > Google. Tap on your account and then “Connected apps”.
- iOS: Open Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Google. Tap on your account and then “Apps Using Your Account”.
This shows you all the apps you’ve connected to your Google account on that device. You can tap on each app to see its permissions or remove access.
Check App Permissions
It’s important to occasionally check what permissions you’ve granted to connected apps and sites. Here’s how:
- Go to https://myaccount.google.com/permissions
- Review the list of apps and sites you’ve connected.
- Click on each app or site to see its permissions.
- Revoke any unnecessary permissions.
Permissions fall into different categories like your personal info, contacts, tasks, etc. Make sure each app only has permissions relevant to its functionality.
Conclusion
Keeping track of apps connected to your Google account is important for both convenience and security. Take advantage of Google’s account tools to monitor and manage connections. Enable two-step verification for extra protection. Be thoughtful when granting permissions to new apps. With a few simple habits, you can comfortably use connected apps while staying safe.