How to Check Third Party Apps Connected to Google Account
Third-party apps can access parts of your Google Account to sync files, send emails, or speed up sign-in.
Knowing how to check third party apps connected to Google account helps you spot risky permissions before they become a security problem.
This guide explains where to review connected apps, how to understand what they can access, and when to revoke access without breaking your workflow.
Why connected apps matter
When you use Google Sign-In or grant access to a service, that app may receive permission to read Gmail, manage Drive files, view Calendar details, or access basic profile information.
These connections are often legitimate, but they can also become outdated, overprivileged, or forgotten over time.
Google Account access typically involves OAuth permissions, which let an app request specific scopes rather than your password.
That is safer than sharing credentials, but it still means the app can act on your behalf within the limits you approved.
How to check third party apps connected to Google account
The most direct place to review connected apps is your Google Account security settings.
Google organizes third-party access under a section that lists apps with account access and apps signed in with Google.
- Open your Google Account settings.
- Go to the Security section.
- Look for Third-party apps and services or a similar access-related menu.
- Review each listed app to see what it can access and when access was granted.
On many accounts, you can also reach this area from Gmail, Google Drive, or the Google app by selecting your profile icon and opening account settings.
The interface may change slightly across desktop and mobile, but the security section remains the best place to start.
What information you should look for
Each connected app entry usually includes the app name, the type of access granted, and sometimes the date it was approved.
Pay close attention to the following:
- Whether the app has access to Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Contacts, or your basic profile.
- Whether access is read-only or includes edit, delete, or send permissions.
- Whether the app is from a company you recognize and still use.
- Whether the app was connected recently or years ago.
If the app name is unfamiliar, search for the developer and confirm that the service is legitimate before keeping the connection active.
How to review permissions in detail
A connected app is not always dangerous just because it appears in your account.
Some services, such as password managers, backup tools, productivity platforms, and project management apps, need specific permissions to function correctly.
Google usually shows the exact access level the app requested.
Examples may include:
- Basic account information such as name, email address, and profile picture.
- Access to view, create, edit, or delete Google Drive files.
- Permission to read, send, or manage Gmail messages.
- Calendar access for scheduling and event creation.
Check whether the permission level matches the app’s purpose.
A notes app that requests Gmail access, for example, deserves scrutiny.
How to remove an app from your Google Account
If you no longer trust an app, no longer use it, or do not understand why it needs access, remove it immediately.
Revoking access disconnects the app from your Google Account and prevents it from continuing to use granted permissions.
- Open the app’s details in your Google Account security settings.
- Select Remove access or Disconnect.
- Confirm the action when prompted.
After removal, the app may stop syncing, stop signing in with Google, or lose access to stored data tied to your account.
If the app held important files or settings, check whether you need to export data first.
When removing access might affect other services
Some apps and devices rely on Google access for core features.
Removing a calendar sync app can break event updates, and disconnecting a backup tool may stop automatic file transfers.
Before removing access, verify whether you still depend on the service.
If you are unsure, reduce exposure by changing the app password, limiting permissions where possible, or contacting the provider to see whether a narrower access setting exists.
Check for suspicious activity alongside connected apps
Connected apps are only one part of account security.
If you are auditing third-party access, also review recent sign-ins and your security alerts.
An unexpected login from an unfamiliar device may indicate that a connected app or session should be investigated further.
Google Account security tools can show recent devices, login locations, and recovery options.
Use them together with the connected-app review to get a complete picture of account risk.
- Review recent security events.
- Check unknown devices and sessions.
- Change your password if anything looks suspicious.
- Turn on two-step verification if it is not already enabled.
Best practices for managing third-party access
Good account hygiene makes it easier to keep trusted apps while reducing unnecessary exposure.
Instead of granting access broadly and forgetting about it, build a habit of regular review.
- Audit connected apps every few months.
- Only authorize apps from reputable developers.
- Prefer apps that request the minimum permissions needed.
- Use Google Sign-In only on services you actually use.
- Remove old integrations after switching tools.
If you manage business or shared accounts, assign a recurring review process so connected apps do not accumulate without oversight.
This is especially important for accounts tied to Google Workspace, where Gmail, Drive, and Calendar access may contain sensitive company data.
How to know if an app is safe to keep
A safe app should have a clear purpose, a recognizable developer, a privacy policy, and permissions that make sense for its function.
It should also have an active support site or app listing that confirms how it uses Google data.
Before approving a new connection, ask these questions:
- Does this app need my Google data to work?
- Is the permission request limited to what it truly needs?
- Do I trust the company behind the app?
- Will I still use this integration in a month?
If the answer to any of these is no, deny the request or remove the app later from your account settings.
Common places where connected apps appear
Third-party app access can show up in more than one Google interface.
Depending on how the app was added, you may see it in account security, inside Gmail add-ons, in Google Drive-connected apps, or in settings within Google Workspace tools.
For a complete review, inspect all relevant areas if you use multiple Google services.
A file-sync tool may appear in Drive settings, while an email extension may appear in Gmail add-ons and account security permissions.
What to do after you remove suspicious access
If you revoke an app that looked unfamiliar or malicious, take a few extra steps to protect the account.
Revisit your recovery email and phone number, confirm your password is unique, and enable two-step verification if needed.
You should also check whether the app exported data elsewhere, especially if it had access to Gmail or Drive.
If you suspect misuse, review sent mail, shared Drive items, and account activity for signs of unauthorized actions.
- Change your Google password.
- Enable or strengthen two-step verification.
- Review recovery options.
- Scan for suspicious forwarded mail rules or Drive sharing links.
- Watch for repeated sign-in prompts from the removed app.
Regular reviews of connected apps are one of the simplest ways to protect a Google Account.
A few minutes spent checking permissions can prevent unwanted data access, stop obsolete integrations, and help you keep control over what can act on your behalf.