How to Allow Facebook Messenger to Access Your Photos

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Let Messenger use your photos and camera
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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

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  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.
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    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.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using an Android

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    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.
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      References

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

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