If you install a new app from the App Store, it may happen that it immediately requests access to your photo library. In the first instance, most users then give permission to the full photo library. This is probably the best choice for popular apps based on sharing photos such as Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and so on.
However, there are also dubious apps in the App Store that have nothing to do with sharing photos, but still want access to your photo library. These apps can then scan your photos in the library in the background and even copy which of course cannot be the intention. For this reason, it is wise to regularly check which apps have access to the photo library and what rights they own in order to secure your privacy.
Access rights for the photo library
Apps that want access to your photo library can be given three different access levels. You can choose from:
No â–¸ The app will not have access to your photo library.
Limited access â–¸ The app only gets access to selected photos.
Full access â–¸ The app gets full access to all your photos and videos in the photo library.
Immediately after installing, an app can request access to the photo library. Think carefully whether it is necessary for the app to get full or limited access to the library. An app such as Aliexpress or Temu has nothing to look for in your photo library, but will ask for this access. So pay attention to which app you grant access to your photo library.
Check access rights to the photo library
Via the Settings App from iOS and iPados you can check which apps all have access to your library. You can find the list of apps and the access rights with the steps below:
- Open the Settings App on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap privacy and security.
- Scroll down and tap photos.
- The overview of apps that have access to the library now appears in the screen with the rights awarded.
By tapping an app you can adjust access to the photo library for that app. There are apps that do not recognize you then change the rights to no access. Or perhaps even better, remove the app from the iPhone if it does not use.
If you opt for limited access, you can indicate per photo that it may be used by the app. It is also possible to select a collection/album.