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GOOGLE PLAY RELEASE GUIDE · REVIEWED OCT 2026

Did your Android release add photo or video permissions?

Check whether adding READ_MEDIA_IMAGES or READ_MEDIA_VIDEO creates a policy review issue.

A permission change can alter a release’s policy obligations even when the user-facing feature looks unchanged. Google Play limits use of broad photo and video permissions where a narrower system picker is sufficient. A manifest entry alone does not prove that an app is compliant or non-compliant.

What matters

  • Google Play’s photo and video permissions policy covers READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO for apps targeting Android 13 (API 33) or later.
  • Broad access is expected to support a qualifying core function. One-time or infrequent selection is often better served by Android Photo Picker.
  • Permissions can enter the final manifest from dependencies. Check the merged manifest and the actual released artifact, not only one source manifest.

Step-by-step investigation

1. Compare requested permissionsList the permissions from the last accepted build and candidate build. Highlight any added, removed or retained READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO entries.
2. Determine the actual use caseIdentify the feature needing access. Is the product an image manager with ongoing library access, or does it only let a user choose a photo occasionally?
3. Investigate minimum scopeWhere the feature only selects specific photos or videos, evaluate Android Photo Picker instead of broad access.
4. Review SDK and manifest changesInspect merged manifest output and newly added libraries to see whether broad permissions were introduced unintentionally.
5. Review declarations and test flowsIf permission retention is justified, check the applicable Play Console declarations and exercise permission denial, selection, and fallback behaviors.

A worked example (synthetic)

Example: new media permission

Previous release has no READ_MEDIA_IMAGES entry; candidate adds READ_MEDIA_IMAGES for a profile-image picker. This is a change that deserves review against Photo Picker alternatives, not an automatic determination that the app violates policy.

Compare the previous and candidate releases

Keep a record of what you actually know. In the free browser tool, enter a verified previous-release snapshot and candidate-release snapshot. Run the comparison to inspect changed fields and export a report. Unknown information should stay unknown.

Use the release comparison tool

No account or real release required to try a sample. Your entered snapshots are processed in your browser.

Open free comparison tool →

What this guide cannot verify

Only developers can confirm whether their feature truly requires broad library access and whether Google accepts the submitted declaration. Our tool compares user-entered permission snapshots only.

Official documentation

Editorial note: Content checked against the linked official sources on October 28, 2026. This independent guide is informational, not legal advice or a guarantee of Google Play approval.