The information below addresses the necessary permissions for Apple and Android mobile devices in that order and serves an important role to help users understand their privacy and security rights and indicators as they pertain to users permitting or revoking mobile device access permissions to the device Cameras, Microphones, and Location Services in the foreground & background. Also included are the steps to enable and disable settings later after initial privacy and security selections are made.

 

XTLK™ Permissions for Apple iPhone and iPad

 

Why XTLK™ Requests Device Permissions

XTLK™ uses certain device capabilities to support operational communications, situational awareness, resource coordination, and incident documentation. Apple requires users to authorize access to protected device features.

XTLK™ only uses an authorized device capability when needed to provide a feature initiated or enabled by the user or the user’s organization. Available features may vary depending on the user’s role, organization, device settings, and operating-system version.

 

Camera Permission

Why XTLK™ Requests Camera Access

 

XTLK™ may use the device camera to allow authorized users to:

• Capture photographs or video associated with a situation, incident, resource, asset, or operational update.

• Document conditions observed in the field.

• Share visual information with authorized members of an XTLK™ situation or communication channel.

• Scan or capture information supported by an available XTLK™ feature.

 

Foreground Camera Use

Camera access is generally used while XTLK™ is open and the user actively selects a camera-related feature.

XTLK™ will request camera permission before first accessing the camera. Selecting Allow enables camera-supported functions.

 

Background Camera Use

Apple does not provide a separate general-purpose “background camera” permission that a user can enable for XTLK™.

XTLK™ does not continuously activate the camera merely because the application is running in the background. Any camera use is subject to Apple’s operating-system restrictions and must be associated with an active, supported feature.

 

How to Enable Camera Access

1. Open the iPhone or iPad Settings application.

2. Scroll down and select XTLK™.

3. Turn on Camera.

 

Camera permission may also be managed through:

Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → XTLK™

 

Microphone Permission

Why XTLK™ Requests Microphone Access

 

XTLK™ may use the device microphone to allow authorized users to:

• Participate in voice communications.

• Transmit voice messages or operational audio.

• Record audio associated with an authorized XTLK™ function.

• Communicate with authorized members of a situation, team, or channel.

• Use other audio-enabled coordination features made available within XTLK™.

 

Foreground Microphone Use

Microphone access is generally used when XTLK™ is open and the user initiates or participates in an audio-enabled function.

 

XTLK™ will request microphone permission before first accessing the microphone. Selecting Allow enables microphone-supported functions.

 

Background Microphone Use

Apple does not provide a separate user-selectable “background microphone” permission.

 

When supported by iOS, microphone use may continue during an active communication or audio session after the user leaves the primary XTLK™ screen or the application transitions to the background. This does not authorize XTLK™ to activate the microphone without an active feature or operational purpose.

 

Any continued microphone access is subject to Apple’s background-execution rules, device settings, and visible operating-system privacy indicators.

 

How to Enable Microphone Access

1. Open the iPhone or iPad Settings application.

2. Scroll down and select XTLK™.

3. Turn on Microphone.

 

Microphone permission may also be managed through:

 

Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → XTLK™

 

Foreground Location Permission

Apple may describe foreground location access as While Using the App.

Why XTLK™ Requests Foreground Location

 

When XTLK™ is open and being used, location access may support:

• Displaying the user’s position on an operational map.

• Associating a situation or operational entry with the user’s current location.

• Identifying nearby incidents, resources, assets, personnel, or strategic locations.

• Establishing or updating command posts, treatment areas, staging areas, hazards, and other map markers.

• Supporting navigation, deployment, accountability, and situational-awareness functions.

• Allowing authorized participants to coordinate activities within an active situation.

 

Depending on device settings, Apple may allow the user to provide either precise or approximate location information. Some operational mapping and resource-tracking functions may require Precise Location to operate effectively.

 

Recommended Setting

Select:

Allow While Using App

Also enable:

Precise Location

 

How to Enable Foreground Location

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Privacy & Security.

3. Select Location Services.

4. Confirm that Location Services is turned on.

5. Select XTLK™.

6. Select While Using the App.

7. Turn on Precise Location when accurate operational positioning is required.

 

Background Location Permission

Apple may describe background location authorization as Always.

Why XTLK™ Requests Background Location

 

When enabled for an active operational purpose, background location may allow XTLK™ to:

• Maintain the authorized user’s operational position when the XTLK™ screen is not visible.

• Continue location-supported resource coordination during an active situation.

• Support personnel, team, vehicle, or asset accountability.

• Update an authorized operational map while the device is locked or the user is working in another application.

• Maintain continuity of location-supported safety and coordination functions during an active assignment.

• Support geofencing or other location-dependent operational notifications where available.

 

Background location is particularly important when authorized users must remain visible to their team or command structure during an active situation without continuously keeping XTLK™ displayed on the screen.

 

Recommended Setting

For users assigned to active field operations, select:

Always

Also enable:

Precise Location

 

Selecting While Using the App may prevent or limit location updates when XTLK™ is minimized, the device is locked, or another application is being used.

 

How to Enable Background Location

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Privacy & Security.

3. Select Location Services.

4. Confirm that Location Services is turned on.

5. Select XTLK™.

6. Select Always.

7. Turn on Precise Location.

 

Apple may initially offer only Allow Once or Allow While Using App. Apple may later present an additional request asking whether XTLK™ may continue accessing location in the background. Select Always Allow when background operational tracking is required.

 

Apple Privacy Indicators

Apple may display:

• A green indicator when the camera is being used.

• An orange indicator when the microphone is being used.

• A location-services indicator when location information is being accessed.

 

These indicators are controlled by Apple and are intended to inform users when protected device capabilities are active.

 

Changing or Revoking Permissions

Users may change or revoke XTLK™ permissions at any time through:

Settings → Privacy & Security

 

Disabling a permission does not necessarily prevent the user from opening XTLK™, but it may disable or materially limit features that depend on that permission.

 

Users participating in an organizational deployment should follow their organization’s operational, privacy, records-management, and device-use policies.

 

Permission Troubleshooting

When a feature does not work as expected:

1. Confirm that the applicable permission is enabled.

2. Confirm that system-wide Camera, Microphone, or Location Services access has not been disabled.

3. Confirm that Precise Location is enabled when accurate positioning is required.

4. Close and reopen XTLK™ after changing a permission.

5. Restart the device when the revised setting does not take effect.

6. Contact your organization’s XTLK™ administrator or XTLK™ support when the issue continues.

 

Important Operational Notice

Device permissions, wireless coverage, GPS availability, battery-management settings, operating-system restrictions, and network conditions can affect application performance. XTLK™ should be used in accordance with applicable organizational procedures and should not replace legally required emergency communications, command systems, dispatch services, or other mandated safety procedures.

​

XTLK™ Permissions for Android Devices

 

Why XTLK™ Requests Device Permissions

XTLK™ uses certain device capabilities to support operational communications, situational awareness, resource coordination, and incident documentation. Android requires users to authorize access to protected device features.

XTLK™ only uses an authorized device capability when needed to provide a feature initiated or enabled by the user or the user’s organization. Available permission choices and menu names may vary by device manufacturer, Android version, organizational device-management settings, and user role.

 

 

Camera Permission

Why XTLK™ Requests Camera Access

 

XTLK™ may use the device camera to allow authorized users to:

• Capture photographs or video associated with a situation, incident, resource, asset, or operational update.

• Document field conditions.

• Share visual information with authorized members of an XTLK™ situation or communication channel.

• Scan or capture information supported by an available XTLK™ feature.

 

Foreground Camera Use

Camera access is generally used while XTLK™ is visible and the user actively selects a camera-related function.

When Android displays the permission request, select:

While using the app

On devices that display only Allow or Don’t allow, select:

Allow

 

Background Camera Use

Android does not ordinarily provide users with a separate “Allow all the time” camera permission.

 

XTLK™ does not continuously activate the camera merely because the application is running in the background. Camera access is subject to Android’s while-in-use restrictions and must be associated with an active, supported function.

Certain specialized Android functions may allow an already active camera session to continue under limited conditions, but Android may prevent a camera service from being started while the application is already in the background.

How to Enable Camera Access

1. Open the device Settings application.

2. Select Apps.

3. Select XTLK™.

4. Select Permissions.

5. Select Camera.

6. Choose Allow only while using the app or the closest available Allow option.

 

Camera access may also be managed through:

Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Permission manager → Camera → XTLK™

Menu names may differ on Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android devices.

 

Microphone Permission

Why XTLK™ Requests Microphone Access

 

XTLK™ may use the device microphone to allow authorized users to:

• Participate in voice communications.

• Transmit voice messages or operational audio.

• Record audio associated with an authorized XTLK™ function.

• Communicate with authorized members of a situation, team, or channel.

• Use other audio-enabled coordination features made available within XTLK™.

 

Microphone Access

​

Foreground Microphone Use

Microphone access is generally used when XTLK™ is visible and the user initiates or participates in an audio-enabled feature.

When Android displays the permission request, select:

While using the app

On devices that display only Allow or Don’t allow, select:

Allow

 

Background Microphone Use

Android does not ordinarily provide users with a separate “Allow all the time” microphone permission.

When supported by Android, an active communication or audio session may continue after the user leaves the primary XTLK™ screen or the application transitions to the background. Android may display a persistent notification or privacy indicator while the microphone-related service remains active.

 

This does not authorize XTLK™ to activate the microphone without an active feature or operational purpose. Android may also prevent a microphone service from being initiated after the application has already entered the background.

 

How to Enable Microphone Access

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Apps.

3. Select XTLK™.

4. Select Permissions.

5. Select Microphone.

6. Choose Allow only while using the app or the closest available Allow option.

 

Microphone access may also be managed through:

Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Permission manager → Microphone → XTLK™

 

Foreground Location Permission

Android generally describes foreground location authorization as Allow only while using the app.

Why XTLK™ Requests Foreground Location

 

When XTLK™ is open and being used, location access may support:

• Displaying the user’s position on an operational map.

• Associating a situation or operational entry with the user’s current location.

• Identifying nearby incidents, resources, assets, personnel, or strategic locations.

• Establishing or updating command posts, treatment areas, staging areas, hazards, and other map markers.

• Supporting navigation, deployment, accountability, and situational-awareness functions.

• Allowing authorized participants to coordinate activities within an active situation.

 

Android may allow the user to select either precise or approximate location. Certain XTLK™ operational mapping, geofencing, and resource-tracking functions may require Precise Location.

 

Recommended Setting

Select:

Allow only while using the app

Also enable:

Use precise location

 

How to Enable Foreground Location

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Apps.

3. Select XTLK™.

4. Select Permissions.

5. Select Location.

6. Choose Allow only while using the app.

7. Turn on Use precise location when accurate operational positioning is required.

​

Background Location Permission

Android generally describes background location authorization as Allow all the time.

Why XTLK™ Requests Background Location

 

When enabled for an active operational purpose, background location may allow XTLK™ to:

• Maintain the authorized user’s operational position when the XTLK™ screen is not visible.

• Continue location-supported resource coordination during an active situation.

• Support personnel, team, vehicle, or asset accountability.

• Update an authorized operational map while the device is locked or the user is working in another application.

• Maintain continuity of location-supported safety and coordination functions during an active assignment.

• Support geofencing or other location-dependent operational notifications where available.

 

Background location is particularly important when authorized users must remain visible to their team or command structure during an active situation without continuously keeping XTLK™ displayed on the screen.

 

Recommended Setting

For users assigned to active field operations, select:

Allow all the time

Also enable:

Use precise location

 

Selecting Allow only while using the app may prevent or limit location updates when XTLK™ is minimized, the device is locked, or another application is being used.

 

How to Enable Background Location

Depending on the Android version, Allow all the time may not appear in the first permission request. The user may need to enable foreground location first and then change the setting manually.

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Apps.

3. Select XTLK™.

4. Select Permissions.

5. Select Location.

6. Choose Allow all the time.

7. Turn on Use precise location.

 

On some devices, the setting may be located at:

Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Permission manager → Location → XTLK™ → Allow all the time

 

 

Android Privacy Indicators and Active-Service Notifications

Depending on the Android version and device manufacturer:

• A green privacy indicator may appear when the camera or microphone is active.

• The Privacy Dashboard may show recent camera, microphone, and location access.

• A persistent notification may appear while an active foreground service is using location, microphone, or another protected capability.

 

These indicators and notifications are controlled by Android and the device manufacturer.

 

 

Battery and Background-Activity Settings

Android battery optimization may restrict background location updates or active communication functions even when the applicable permission has been granted.

 

When authorized by the user’s organization and necessary for operational use, users may need to:

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Apps.

3. Select XTLK™.

4. Select Battery or App battery usage.

5. Choose a setting that permits necessary background activity, such as Unrestricted or Allow background activity.

 

The exact setting depends on the device manufacturer and Android version. Less restrictive battery settings may increase battery consumption.

 

 

Changing or Revoking Permissions

Users may change or revoke XTLK™ permissions at any time through:

Settings → Apps → XTLK™ → Permissions

 

Disabling a permission does not necessarily prevent the user from opening XTLK™, but it may disable or materially limit features that depend on that permission.

 

Users participating in an organizational deployment should follow their organization’s operational, privacy, records-management, and device-use policies.

 

 

Permission Troubleshooting

When a feature does not work as expected:

1. Confirm that the applicable permission is enabled.

2. Confirm that system-wide Camera access or Microphone access has not been disabled through Android Privacy Controls.

3. Confirm that Use precise location is enabled when accurate positioning is required.

4. Confirm that background location is set to Allow all the time when continuous operational positioning is required.

5. Review battery-optimization and background-activity settings.

6. Close and reopen XTLK™ after changing a permission.

7. Restart the device when the revised setting does not take effect.

8. Contact your organization’s XTLK™ administrator or XTLK™ support when the issue continues.

 

Important Operational Notice

Device permissions, wireless coverage, GPS availability, battery-management settings, operating-system restrictions, and network conditions can affect application performance. XTLK™ should be used in accordance with applicable organizational procedures and should not replace legally required emergency communications, command systems, dispatch services, or other mandated safety procedures.