A permissionless app requests no special runtime permissions from the user. It may therefore avoid prompts for access to features such as location, contacts, or the camera. However, requesting no permissions does not mean an app is harmless or unable to affect a device.
In cybersecurity, permission prompts are only one layer of protection. An app can still expose users to risk through deceptive behavior, vulnerabilities, or content that causes a flaw in the operating system’s file or package-handling code. For example, a specially crafted app package might trigger a platform failure during installation or processing, even if the app requests no permissions and is never opened. Users should treat permission requests as one signal, not a guarantee of safety, and install apps only from trusted sources while keeping devices updated.