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Google Play rejected your app over photo permissions? Use the photo picker

Ship ItChecked against the official source

Source checked 10 Oct 2026 · Published 23 Oct 2026 · Last reviewed 23 Oct 2026 · By Ctrl+Z Therapy (how we test)

The short answer

Google Play's Photo and Video Permissions policy: apps that target Android 13 or later "may only request the READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO permissions" if system pickers, like the Android Photo Picker, are not sufficient for the app's core functionality: for example, apps whose core functionality revolves around broad access to photos and videos. Full compliance has been mandatory for all developers since May 28, 2025.

What to do

  1. Check your app's manifest and plugins for READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO.
  2. If users only pick a photo now and then, remove those permissions and use the system photo picker.
  3. Built your own picker? It isn't automatically qualified: you must submit a declaration in Play Console explaining why the Android Photo Picker isn't sufficient.
  4. Ask your AI tool: "Check this Android app's manifest and plugins for READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO. If we only let users pick photos, switch to the system photo picker and remove those permissions."

Good to know

  • Non-compliant apps are subject to removal.
  • We didn't check whether frameworks like Expo or Capacitor, or their plugins, add these permissions by default. Check your manifest.

Source

Checked on 10 Oct 2026. Prices, limits and settings change, so check the source before you rely on them.