DB Labs
Quick Answer
iPhone photo permissions have four levels: None (no access), Add Photos Only (save but not read), Selected Photos (limited access to specific photos you choose), and All Photos (full library access). For most apps, Selected Photos is the safest choice. Audit all your app permissions at Settings → Privacy & Security → Photos.
What Each Permission Level Means
None — No Access
The app has zero access to any photo or video in your library. It cannot read, write, or delete anything. If the app tries to access photos without permission, iOS blocks it and may show a prompt asking you to grant access.
Add Photos Only
The app can save new photos to your library (your Camera Roll or a specific album it creates), but it cannot read any existing photos. This is the right permission for apps that generate images — QR code scanners that save codes, design apps that export finished artwork, or camera apps. It is a read-protected write-only channel.
Selected Photos (Limited Access)
You choose which specific photos or albums the app can access. The app can read, write, and (if you allow it) delete only those photos. It has no visibility into the rest of your library — it does not even know how many other photos you have. This is the recommended permission level for the vast majority of apps.
All Photos (Full Access)
The app can read, write, and delete any photo or video in your entire library. It can also read all EXIF metadata, access your Hidden Album photos, and scan the full library contents at any time — even when you are not actively using the app. This is a significant trust grant and should be reserved for apps that genuinely need it.
| Permission | Read Existing | Write/Save | See Metadata | Background Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | No | No | No | No |
| Add Only | No | Yes (save only) | No | No |
| Selected | Chosen only | Chosen only | Chosen only | Chosen only |
| All Photos | Yes, all | Yes, all | Yes, all | Yes |
Which Apps Actually Need Full Access?
The number of apps that genuinely require full library access is much smaller than most people assume:
- Legitimately need full access: Dedicated photo management apps (cleaners, organizers, duplicate finders), backup services (Google Photos, Amazon Photos), professional photo editing apps that manage your whole library.
- Only need limited access: Social media apps (Instagram, TikTok), messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram), any app where you just pick a photo to attach or post.
- Only need add-only: Camera replacement apps, QR code scanners, design/export apps.
- Need no access: Most utility apps, games, productivity tools that mention photos in passing but never actually use them.
How to Review and Change Photo Permissions
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Photos.
- Review every app in the list. Note which ones have "All Photos" access.
- For each app with full access, ask: does this app actually need to scan my entire library? If not, tap it and change to "Selected Photos."
- For apps set to "Selected Photos," tap again to review and update the specific photos they can access.
- For apps you do not recognize or no longer use, set to "None."
For a broader look at all the ways apps interact with your photos, see our article on how apps access your iPhone photos. For privacy when sharing photos externally, read about iPhone photo location privacy.
Permission Changes Across iOS Versions
- Before iOS 14: Only two options — Allow or Deny. All-or-nothing.
- iOS 14: Limited Access (Selected Photos) introduced. Add Photos Only added.
- iOS 16: Hidden Album now requires Face ID. Photo picker improvements.
- iOS 17: Improved photo picker with better search and album filtering. More granular permission prompts in-app.