Add STORAGE PERMISSION to a 3rd party app in Android 13

[Marcovichburner]

Model: Android 13
An app is asking for STORAGE PERMISSION

1. Approach A
   1. Settings
   2. Apps
   3. Select the app in question
   4. Permissions = No permissions allowed
      Result: Here, there's nothing to click on or do anything to add STORAGE PERMISSION to this app.
2. Approach B
   1. Settings
   2. Security and privacy
   3. Privacy
   4. Permission manager
   5. Files and media (I was told that this is STORAGE PERMISSION)
   6. Inside, it tells me ALLOWED: No apps allowed.
      Result: Here, there are some other indications yet again, with no way to change or add anything there.
3. Approach C
   1. Settings
   2. Apps
   3. 3 dots menu on the top right
   4. Special access
      Result: Only "System apps" are there.

What do I need to do to just grant STORAGE PERMISSION to an app in Android 13?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! In the 2nd screenshot, what if you tap "See more apps that can access all files"?

 

[Marcovichburner]

Welcome to Android Central! In the 2nd screenshot, what if you tap "See more apps that can access all files"?

Thanks for your time. It shows only the apps (I assume) that have these privileges, like AR Emoji Stickers or Video Player, but not third-party apps like Uber or a game. And if I use the search function there, it just tells me: No results found.

 

[smvim]

That isn't something you can add to an app yourself. It's a feature option the app developer includes or leaves out. If the app's developer does enable it than you'd see the Permissions option with the feature showing. Otherwise, not all apps require the user to enable/disable all or some Permissions options, or it's preset as default status for a specific reason.

 

[B. Diddy]

Can you show us a screenshot of when the app is actually asking for that permission?

 

[Marcovichburner]

That isn't something you can add to an app yourself. It's a feature option the app developer includes or leaves out. If the app's developer does enable it than you'd see the Permissions option with the feature showing. Otherwise, not all apps require the user to enable/disable all or some Permissions options, or it's preset as default status for a specific reason.

I've been using Unity to create small games, but I'm new to Unreal Engine 5 (first app with it), so I'm unsure what's considered "normal" with it. I read that storage permissions changed since SDK 33...this includes Android 13, so I tried to override permissions using a ManifestRequirementsOverride.xml file:

<uses-permission
android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
android:maxSdkVersion="28"/>

However, I'm not sure if this is the right approach, and it doesn't seem to be working. I'm also concerned about the implications and compatibility with other Android versions, as I only have a few phones to test on.

I suspect there might be a new method or different permission name since SDK 33. Could someone advise on the correct way to handle storage permissions in SDK 33 (Android 13) going forward?

 

[Marcovichburner]

Can you show us a screenshot of when the app is actually asking for that permission?

Sure thing.

 

[B. Diddy]

That makes me think that the developers for that app have not updated it properly for current versions of Android. Are you able to reach out to those devs to see if they're aware of the issue?

 

[Marcovichburner]

That makes me think that the developers for that app have not updated it properly for current versions of Android. Are you able to reach out to those devs to see if they're aware of the issI

Thank you for your time. I'm the developer (indie), and I'm grappling with how to adapt to the new Android rules. The confusion spans from UNREAL forums to Google Help (which unfortunately refused assistance). I'm determined to find the correct solution because this is a critical change affecting all games and apps simultaneously. Starting August, every developer must comply with SDK 33, making it quite a challenge originating from Android's new policies.

I'm not blaming anyone—it is what it is. I simply want to ensure I do things correctly. If I get the right answer, I will post it here immediately to help others, at least from the UNREAL front. Thanks again for your time and attention to my problem; it's greatly appreciated.

 

[B. Diddy]

Oh ok, sorry for the misunderstanding. If you haven't already, you may want to post in the forums at XDA-Developers.com as well.

 

[mustang7757]

Which Samsung device do you have?

 

[belodion]

[Moved to Developers Lounge.]