Android · Android
Allow an App to Access Files on Android
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
On Android, open Settings > Apps > the app > Permissions, select the relevant file, photo, video, music, or other permission, and choose Allow only when the app needs it. Labels vary by Android version and device, and you should grant only the access the app actually needs.
Open the app settings
Open Android Settings > Apps and select the app that needs access. If it is not visible, tap See all apps or use Settings search to find it.
Open Permissions
Tap Permissions to view the permissions currently allowed or denied for that app. Read the permission name so you do not enable a different capability by mistake.
Choose the relevant access
Select Files, Photos and videos, Music and audio, or the relevant category shown by your device. Android uses different permission names depending on the version and the type of content.
Set the minimum access
Choose Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, Allow, or Don't allow when those options are offered. Prefer the least access that allows the task to work.
Return to the app
Open the app and try the intended import, save, or attachment action again. Granting a permission does not guarantee that an app can access every folder or every cloud account.
Review unused permissions
Return to the app's settings later and remove access you no longer need. Android can also pause app activity for unused apps, which may affect a permission-dependent feature.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If the expected storage option is missing, update the app and check the app's own file picker; Android versions and app target levels expose different media permissions.
- If the app still cannot see a file, confirm that the file is in a location the app's picker supports instead of granting unrelated permissions.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Android.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.