As social media platforms have already become an integral part of our daily routine, we often have to grant specific permissions to apps to access them and their features. Although it’s normal to feel a bit wary about privacy. When it comes to Instagram, to post or upload anything, it is essential to grant them permission to access your gallery. In this article, we will discuss how to give Instagram access to photos on your Android device and whether it is safe to allow it.
How to Give Instagram Access to Photos
You don’t want to be limited from sharing memories and creatives with your friends and followers right? Allowing Instagram access to your photos is necessary to use the app’s photo-sharing features. Not doing so prohibits you from being able to upload pictures or videos from your camera roll or device gallery to your feed.
Additionally, Instagram offers a variety of filters that you can apply to your photos to give them a unique look and feel. Even if you do not post, you would have to give it access if you use the app to add filters to your pictures. That being said, let us go through the steps.
Note: Smartphones don’t have the same Settings options, and they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Hence, ensure the correct settings before changing any on your device. These steps were performed on Samsung S20 FE 5G, as shown in the illustrations below.
1. Open Settings and tap on Apps.
2. Navigate to Instagram and tap on it.
3. Tap on Permissions.
4. Tap on Photos and videos.
5. Tap on Allow.
Once you have completed these steps, Instagram will have access to your device’s photo library. You can now upload photos and videos directly from your camera roll to your Instagram account.
Also Read: 15 Best Instagram Alternatives for Photographers
Is it Safe to Allow Instagram Access to Photos?
Yes, it is safe to allow access to photos for Instagram. Instagram has implemented robust security measures to safeguard user data. As one of the largest social media platforms, it invests significant resources in protecting user accounts and content from unauthorized access and potential breaches.
Even though Instagram has privacy policies in place to protect users’ data, it is important to exercise caution before granting any app any form of permission on your device. To minimize the risk, it is recommended that you regularly review its privacy and security settings to ensure your personal data is protected. Moreover, you have the control to grant or revoke this access at any time through the settings on your device.
Also Read: 20 Best Photo Editing Apps for Android in 2023
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why does Instagram need access to my photos?
Ans. Instagram needs access to your photos so that you can upload pictures and videos to your account and use the app’s editing features.
Q2. Can Instagram access my photos without my permission?
Ans. No, Instagram cannot access your photos without your permission. You must grant the app permission to access your photos in order to use its photo-sharing and editing features.
Q3. Can I choose which photos Instagram has access to?
Ans. No, you cannot choose which specific photos Instagram has access to. When you grant the app access to your photos, it can access them on your device.
Q4. Will granting Instagram access to my photos affect my phone’s storage?
Ans. No, granting Instagram access to your photos will not affect your phone’s storage. Instagram will only access your photos when you choose to upload them to the app.
Q5. Can I still edit photos on Instagram if I don’t grant it access to my photos?
Ans. No, you cannot edit photos on Instagram if you don’t grant the app access to your photos. Instagram’s editing features rely on access to your device’s camera roll.
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Lastly, being a little mindful about the permissions you grant to any app can help you effortlessly share your visual stories, showcase your creativity. We hope our guide on how to give Instagram access to photos was helpful. In case you have any further queries or suggestions, you can drop them in the comments section below.