How to Allow Facebook Messenger to Access Your Photos

PDF download Download Article
Let Messenger use your photos and camera
PDF download Download Article

If you want to share photos and videos to friends on Facebook Messenger, you'll need to give the app access to your Camera Roll or Gallery. You can choose to allow full access or limited access. Here's how to allow Facebook Messenger to access your photos on iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Enabling Photo Access for Messenger

  • To enable photos on iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Messenger > Photos > Full Access .
  • On Android, open Settings > Apps > Messenger > Permissions > Photos and videos > Always allow all .
  • Once enabled, restart the Facebook Messenger app.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using an iPhone or iPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the grey gear icon located on your Home screen. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find this towards the bottom of Settings. It will be listed with your other apps in alphabetical order.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/99\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A new page will open.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A blue checkmark will appear next to the option.
    • Alternatively, you can select Limited Access and then tap Edit Selected Photos to choose which photos Messenger can access.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Messenger can now access your photos. You may need to restart the app for this to take effect.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using an Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can do this by tapping the Settings app on your Apps list. [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A list will open with all applications installed on your device.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can also tap the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner to search for it.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This includes your camera, microphone, and storage permissions.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find this towards the bottom of the screen.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Allow-Facebook-Messenger-to-Access-Your-Photos-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Messenger can now access your photos. You may need to restart the app for this to take effect.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I turn off screen overlay?
    Community Answer
    Open Settings, select Apps. Tap the Gear icon. Select Draw over other apps. Select the application that is running in the background. Turn Off Permit drawing over other apps. Close and re-open the application. Set the application permission.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      3 Simple Ways to Export Chats from Facebook Messenger
      Why Does Facebook Messenger Say “This Person is Unavailable?”
      How to
      Sign Out of Facebook Messenger on iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Check if Someone's Online in Facebook Messenger
      Easy Ways to Limit Who Can Contact You on Facebook
      Free Calling on Facebook Messenger: A Step-by-Step Guide
      6 Easy Steps to Save Photos on Facebook Messenger
      How to
      Block Calls on Messenger App (iPhone, iPad, Android, Web)
      2 Simple Ways to Use Stickers on Facebook Messenger
      How to
      Add Friends and Contacts in Facebook Messenger
      How to
      See If Someone Read Your Facebook Messenger Message
      How to
      Update Facebook Messenger
      How to
      Use Facebook Messenger
      How to
      Delete a Group on Facebook Messenger
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/maps/answer/10204872?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9431959?hl=en

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 235,225 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement