Troubleshooting App Permissions on Android and iOS
If Hedy shows an error about permissions or you're unable to start a session, this guide will help you check and fix your app permissions on Android and iOS.
Common Symptoms
"Storage permission required to save recordings"
"Insufficient Storage Space" (when your device actually has plenty of space)
"Microphone unavailable" or no audio being captured
Session fails to start without a clear error message
Hedy-specific note: In Hedy, the "Insufficient Storage Space" message can sometimes be triggered by a permission problem rather than an actual lack of storage. If your device has plenty of free space, follow the permission steps below first.
Android: Granting Permissions
Hedy needs Microphone permission to record audio. On some older Android versions or device setups, Hedy may also need storage-related access to save recordings.
Menu names vary by phone maker and Android version, but you can usually find permissions under Settings > Apps > Hedy > Permissions or Settings > Privacy > Permission manager. Here are the most common paths:
On most Android devices (Pixel, Samsung, and others):
Open your device Settings
Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications)
Find and tap Hedy in the app list
Tap Permissions
Make sure Microphone is set to Allow or Allow only while using the app
If you see Files and media (or Storage), make sure it is set to Allow
Samsung devices (One UI): The steps are the same, but Samsung also has a system-wide microphone toggle. Go to Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy and make sure Microphone access is turned on. If this toggle is off, no app on your device can use the microphone.
If Hedy is missing from the permissions list: Open Hedy, try starting a session, and respond to the permission prompt that appears. This registers the app in your device's permission manager.
Android: Why Permissions Get Blocked
On Android, if you tap Deny twice when an app asks for permission, the system stops showing the permission prompt entirely. This is called "permanently denied" status. When this happens:
Hedy cannot ask for permission again automatically
You must enable the permission manually in Settings (using the steps above)
Android may also revoke unused permissions automatically if you haven't used the app for a while
iOS: Granting Permissions
On iPhone and iPad, Hedy needs Microphone permission to record sessions. iOS shows a one-time permission prompt when you first try to record. If you deny it, you'll need to enable it manually in Settings.
Open your device Settings
Scroll down and tap Hedy (or go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone)
Make sure the Microphone toggle is turned on
If Hedy doesn't appear in the Microphone list:
Open Hedy and try starting a session to trigger the permission prompt
If no prompt appears, force restart your device (press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears), then try again
If that doesn't work, try deleting and reinstalling Hedy from the App Store. This resets all permissions and will prompt you again on first use.
Still Having Issues?
If permissions are correctly enabled and you're still having trouble starting a session, try these steps:
Restart the app: Close Hedy completely (swipe it away from recent apps) and reopen it
Restart your device: A full restart can resolve permission glitches
Check battery settings (Android): Go to Settings > Apps > Hedy > Battery and set it to Unrestricted. Battery optimization can interfere with background recording. Exact menu names vary by device maker.
Check available storage: If your device genuinely has very little free space (under 200 MB), free up some space and try again
Update the app: Make sure you're running the latest version of Hedy from the App Store or Google Play
Reinstall Hedy: If nothing else works, delete Hedy and reinstall it. This resets all permissions and app data.
Tip: After changing permissions in Settings, you may need to close and reopen Hedy for the changes to take effect.