Google is pushing more Android apps to use the new photo picker

Google introduced a system photo picker in Android a while back, allowing for better privacy of the photos, videos, and files on your device. Now, Google is pushing for more Android apps to use the new photo picker.

The new photo picker in Android was introduced back in Android 13, allowing apps to get photos and videos off of your device, but only the ones you pick. The new solution would effectively let Android hand the photo you choose over to the app, rather than just giving the app access to your full library.

It’s a great move for privacy, but it hasn’t seen very wide adoption.

As reported by Android Authority, Google has started to crack down on apps that are using the READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and/or READ_MEDIA_VIDEO permissions “unnecessarily.” Google said it would start to push apps away from using these (on Android 13 and up) at I/O this year, but has started to enforce the policy within the past month. Developers can submit a declaration form to continue using these permissions in approved use cases, but the policy will be in full effect by January of next year.

Google is enforcing this policy for apps that don’t need access to your photos and videos, such as the ones that only need infrequent access or one-time access (such as setting a profile image). On a support page with the full timeline, Google explains apps that would be eligible to retain “broad access” to photos and videos:

Some examples of use cases that are not infrequent or one time include: apps that are in the social, communication, photo/video editor categories and others that can demonstrate broad access needs like photo editors, user generated content platforms, image search features, QR code scanners, and similar.

As this policy takes effect, it’s very likely that you’ll see more and more apps adopting the new photo picker on Android, especially towards the start of next year.

Apps that continue to request broad access without fitting Google’s guidelines for that access will not be able to publish app updates on Google Play until meeting the new policy.

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