Why does 'Gallery' need access to Contacts and Calendar?

[Android Central Question]

Recently I went through Apps on my phone, trying to restrict the number that have access to private information unnecessary.

I later found that Gallery will not run at all when you have access to Contacts and Calendar disabled.

Why?

I can't see why a simple picture viewing App needs any access to private information except company's desire to collect as much information as possible for advertising purposes.

 

[chanchan05]

Recently I went through Apps on my phone, trying to restrict the number that have access to private information unnecessary.

I later found that Gallery will not run at all when you have access to Contacts and Calendar disabled.

Why?

I can't see why a simple picture viewing App needs any access to private information except company's desire to collect as much information as possible for advertising purposes.

Depends. What gallery app is this? Every phone manufacturer bundles a different one.

If this is Samsung, the Samsung Gallery app has the Stories, Timeline and auto-tag features. Basically it matches the pictures you take to dates, so it automatically creates those stories and suggests tags among your friends for it.

 

[Lundavra]

It's Samsung.

I have never used tagging and no interest in using Stories, Timeline and auto-tag features.

I rarely use the phone's camera, I prefer to use a proper camera.

Will have to check whether I can just enable (preferably only one) Contacts or Calendar on the rare occasions that I need to use Gallery.

 

[djrakowski]

I've only given Gallery permission to read storage, and it works just fine.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Contacts and Gallery are probably linked because you have the ability to set display photos for your contacts.

 

[Lundavra]

"djrakowski

I've only given Gallery permission to read storage, and it works just fine. "

Interesting, I tried re-enabling just Calendar on its own but would still not run unless I enabled Contacts also.
"L0n3N1nja

Contacts and Gallery are probably linked because you have the ability to set display photos for your contacts. "
'Have the ability' but not required to use so no need to insist on access to Contacts

 

[chanchan05]

You could just use the Photos app instead. That's the gallery app by Google.

 

[chanchan05]

Indeed... I intended to post a similar thread. Am using Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and I could not use Gallery unless I gave access to Contacts and Calendar.
I just want to view images - photos, screenshots.

If I launch any 3rd party photo viewer on my Windows desktop PC, it will not ask me permission to access private matters like contacts.

For that reason I refused permission. Gallery doesn't work then.

Are there any other apps that do -not- require such permissions?
Probably not.

The gallery on my S9 works fine with only storage permissions.

 

[chanchan05]

You are lucky I guess. 'My' Gallery doesn't.

Maybe it has something to do with Android version ?
It is Samsung = old (v6.01)

View attachment 296024

As I recall it at some point Android updated to allow more granularity in its permissions. Older versions, apps won't work unless all permissions are allowed. Your Gallery app is probably a carry over from that period and hasn't been updated to the newer ones which allowed permission granularity.

 

[chanchan05]

As you are using Gallery you probably never checked, but .. still: are you aware of any other reliable apps that do not require such permissions?

This one.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.gallery.pro

It's widely recommended for a simple basic gallery, and it's only permissions are storage and use of fingerprint hardware.