Sometimes iOS permissions get “stuck”: an app shows a No permission message (or can’t see Photos/Camera/Mic/Location) even though you’re sure you allowed it. This is usually fixable with a few targeted resets.
Work through the steps in order. Stop as soon as the permission works again.
1. Confirm the permission in iOS Settings (not inside the app)
Many apps show their own toggle, but iOS is the source of truth.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap the app’s name.
- Check the relevant toggles (for example Photos, Camera, Microphone, Location).
- For Location, choose While Using the App (or Always if you truly need it) and turn on Precise Location if required.
If you don’t see a permission option here at all, jump to step 4 (the system may not have prompted yet).
2. Check Screen Time restrictions (they can override your choice)
Screen Time can silently block permissions even when the app page shows toggles.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions (enter the Screen Time passcode if asked).
- Check Allowed Apps and Content Restrictions.
- Also review Privacy & Security inside Screen Time (Camera, Microphone, Photos, Location Services, etc.).
If this is a managed device (school/work), a profile can enforce these limits. In that case, you may need the admin to allow the permission.
3. Make sure iOS Location Services / system-level access is enabled
Even if an app is set to “While Using,” it won’t work if the system service is off.
- Location: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > turn Location Services on.
- Photos: Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos > confirm the app is allowed (and consider All Photos if the app needs full library access).
- Microphone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > enable the app.
- Camera: Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera > enable the app.
Also, if you’re trying to use a feature in Safari or an embedded web view, the app may need both iOS permission and a site-level permission.
4. Force the permission prompt again (toggle off, restart, toggle on)
If the app is stuck thinking it’s denied, you want iOS to re-evaluate the permission state.
- Go to Settings > tap the app.
- Turn the relevant permission off.
- Fully quit the app (open app switcher, swipe it away).
- Restart your iPhone.
- Turn the permission on again, then open the app and try the feature that requires it.
This sounds simple, but it often clears a cached “denied” state.
5. For Photos: check “Selected Photos” vs “All Photos” and re-pick
On recent iOS versions, you can allow only specific photos. Some apps handle this poorly and report “no permission” if nothing is selected.
- Go to Settings > the app > Photos.
- If it’s set to Selected Photos, tap Edit Selected Photos and pick at least one image.
- Or switch to All Photos temporarily to test.
If it works on All Photos, switch back to Selected Photos afterward if you prefer tighter privacy.
6. Update the app and iOS (permission bugs are common in older builds)
Permission handling breaks surprisingly often after iOS updates or app updates.
- Update the app: open the App Store > your profile > Update next to the app.
- Update iOS: Settings > General > Software Update.
If the problem started right after an update, updating again (or installing the next point release) is frequently the real fix.
7. Reset Location & Privacy (last resort, but effective)
If multiple apps are affected, or permissions keep reverting, resetting the privacy database can help.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Tap Reset Location & Privacy.
This doesn’t erase your phone, but it will make apps ask for permissions again.
Final thoughts
Most “no permission” loops on iPhone come from Screen Time restrictions, a stuck prompt state, or Photos being set to Selected with nothing chosen.
If none of these steps work, delete and reinstall the app (after confirming you won’t lose important in-app data), or check whether your device is managed by work/school restrictions.