Apple lets you decide how much of your photo library an app can see. The right choice depends on the job you want the app to do—not on a universal rule that more or less access is always better.
The permission choices in plain language
When LightRoll asks for photo access, iOS presents system-controlled options. LightRoll cannot bypass that prompt, and you can change your decision later.
- Full Access: the app can work with your whole Apple Photos library.
- Selected Photos: the app can work only with items you choose.
- Don’t Allow: the app cannot browse or organize photos until you change access.
Choose Full Access for whole-library cleanup
Full Access is the practical option when you want to browse across years, organize albums, review all videos, or make steady progress through the complete camera roll. It also avoids repeatedly adding new items to an approved selection.
Full Access does not give a developer permission to ignore its privacy policy. The app’s architecture and data practices still determine whether media stays on device or is sent elsewhere.
Choose Selected Photos to begin with a smaller set
Selected Photos is useful when you want to test a workflow with a specific trip, month, or handful of screenshots. The tradeoff is that items outside the selection will not appear, and you may need to update the selection as you continue.
LightRoll supports both. You can use the core browsing and organization flow with selected items, then expand access later if you choose.
How to change photo access later
- Open the iOS Settings app.
- Choose Apps, then LightRoll.
- Open Photos.
- Choose Full Access, Selected Photos, or no access.
The exact wording can vary by iOS version. The setting remains under LightRoll’s photo permission controls.
Start at your comfort level
LightRoll explains why access is needed before showing Apple’s permission prompt.
Download LightRoll