Is it possible to restrict Android media access permission to a specific folder instead of granting access to all media files?
We are having a call-sync Android application that needs to read call recording files from a particular folder on the device.
Is there a way to restrict the app's access to only a specific folder chosen by the user, instead of requesting access to the entire media library?
If so, what is the recommended Android API or approach for implementing folder-specific access while complying with modern Android storage restrictions?
As an example, on Linux it is possible to grant access to a particular directory by changing its ownership or permissions, such as:
sudo chown -R username:groupname foldername/
Accepted Answer
Yes, it is possible. Android provides the Photo Picker tool, which allows you to grant apps access to only specific user-selected photos or videos instead of your entire media library.
For apps targeting modern Android versions (Android 14+), this limits the app's read/write visibility to just the items you check, enhancing your privacy.
How to use folder and media restrictions
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The Android Photo Picker: When an app requests to open a photo or video, it will trigger the system’s built-in Photo Picker. Instead of selecting "Allow all", select the specific media files you want the app to interact with.
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System Permissions (Android 14+): If the app natively supports Android’s partial access permissions, you can manage this in your system settings.
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Navigate to Settings > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Permission Manager.
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Tap Photos and videos.
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Select the app and change its access from "Allow all" to "Allow partial access" or "Don't allow".
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Storage Access Framework: For non-media files (like documents), apps use the Android Storage Access Framework. This prompts you to use a built-in file explorer to select and share only a specific folder or file with the app, restricting it from scanning your whole storage.
If you are building an app, it is highly recommended to use the ActivityResultContracts.PickVisualMedia API to implement the Android photo picker natively. This avoids the need to request broad storage permissions and automatically handles partial selection compatibility for the user.
ASANIAN