What Permissions Do Google Add-ons Really Need?

When installing a Google Workspace add-on, you’ll often see a list of permissions being requested — some of which sound intimidating. This guide will help you understand what each permission means and how to evaluate whether an add-on is safe to install.

🔐 Common Permission Types Explained

1. “View and manage your email”

Required by Gmail-based add-ons (e.g., email templates, mail merges)
Allows the add-on to read email content, labels, or attachments

2. “View and manage your documents in Google Drive”

Needed for file add-ons like PDF tools or editors
Lets the add-on read/write/delete your Drive files

3. “View your basic profile info”

Identifies you as a user (name, email, language)
Mostly harmless and required for personalization

🧪 Less Common (but Safe) Permissions

“View your Calendar events” – for scheduling tools
“Send email on your behalf” – used in mail merge or alert tools
“Connect to an external service” – often needed for CRM or API-integrated tools

⚠️ Red Flags

Vague permission descriptions
Unknown publishers or unverified developers
No website or reviews linked in the Marketplace listing

🧠 Tips Before You Install

Click “Learn More” next to each permission during install
Google verifies add-ons marked with a “Verified” badge
You can revoke permissions anytime at myaccount.google.com/permissions

✅ Summary

Not all permissions are dangerous — they’re just the technical requirements to let the add-on do its job. Stay alert, but don’t panic. Use add-ons from trusted developers, and when in doubt, start with read-only tools.

For more safe add-ons, visit AddonsHunt.com.