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How to Manage App Photo Access Permissions on Samsung Galaxy S20
Question details
The user noticed an app prompting for photo access or offering to convert an image to PDF without explicit media permissions being granted.
- Product
- Android Apps
- Device & OS
- Samsung Galaxy S20
- Scenario
- Using an app's Image to PDF conversion feature or opening an app that interacts with media on an Android device.
- Observed behavior
- The app appears to access photos or prompts for image conversion despite photo and media permissions being explicitly denied in system settings.
Ensure your Samsung Galaxy S20 is updated to the latest Android version, as permission management settings and system photo picker behaviors can vary slightly between different One UI updates.
Check and Revoke Media Permissions in Android Settings
Manually review and adjust the app's access to your photos and media through your phone's system settings to ensure unauthorized access is blocked.
Unlock your Samsung Galaxy S20, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the notification panel, and tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
Scroll down the Settings menu and tap on 'Apps' to view a list of all applications installed on your device.
Scroll through the list or use the search icon at the top right to find the app that prompted for photo access, then tap on it to open the App info page.
Tap on 'Permissions', then look under the 'Allowed' section for 'Photos and videos' or 'Files and media'. Tap on it and select 'Don't allow' to completely revoke access.
Understand Android's Secure System Photo Picker
Learn how the Android OS securely handles photo access, which can sometimes look like the app has full access when it actually does not.
Safely Convert Images to PDF with WPS Office
WPS Office respects your privacy. You can securely convert images to PDFs on your Android device using the system's secure photo picker without granting unnecessary permissions to your entire gallery.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office app on your Samsung Galaxy device.
- 2. Select Image to PDF: Tap on the 'Tools' tab at the bottom of the screen and select 'Image to PDF'.
- 3. Choose Images Securely: Use the Android system picker to safely select only the specific photos you want to convert, without exposing your entire gallery.
- 4. Convert and Export: Tap 'Convert' to instantly create your PDF document and save it securely on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the app show my photos if I explicitly denied media permissions?
Modern Android devices use a secure system photo picker. This system-level feature displays your photos so you can select one, but the app itself cannot see or access your photo library until you explicitly tap on a specific image to share it with the app.
How can I completely stop an app from asking for photo access?
Go to your device Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions, and ensure that 'Files and media' or 'Photos and videos' is set to 'Don't allow'. Additionally, avoid tapping on in-app features like 'Image to PDF' or 'Insert Picture' which are designed to trigger the permission request.
Is it safe to grant media permissions to office apps?
Yes, reputable apps like WPS Office require media permissions strictly to help you open, edit, and save documents or images on your local storage. If your Android version supports it, you can maximize safety by choosing to grant access only to specific photos rather than your entire library.
