Accessing your photos from the Google Messages app for Android is relatively easy, but it could be even simpler.
To start, open Google Messages and tap on any previous message. On the left side of the text field, you’ll see a round button with a plus sign [+] inside it. Tap this button, and a row of ovals with icons will appear. There are eight options to choose from: Gallery, Camera, GIFs, Stickers, Files, Location, Contacts, Schedule, and Send.
Tap on **Gallery**, and you’ll see the most recent images and videos stored locally on your device through the Google Photos custom media picker. However, if you want to access your photos from the Google Photos app via the Android system photo picker, you need to tap the **Folders** button at the bottom of the screen. Unfortunately, this extra step is required to see photos stored in the cloud, rather than those only on your phone.
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### Why This Extra Step Matters
While it might seem minor, this additional tap can be inconvenient for some users. More importantly, it raises a security concern. Google’s custom picker requires access to your entire media gallery in order to function, whereas the Android system photo picker allows apps to access only the photos and videos you specifically select.
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### A Solution on the Horizon
There’s good news coming soon. Google is reportedly working on eliminating this extra step, making it easier to access photos from the Google Photos app directly in Google Messages.
With Android 16, a new embedded photo picker will be introduced. This picker features dedicated APIs that allow apps to integrate the photo picker seamlessly into their interface. This means app developers can provide a media gallery experience that feels native to their apps while maintaining the security and privacy benefits of the Android system picker — without broad media permissions.
Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority discovered this embedded photo picker on his OnePlus 13 running OxygenOS 16. When he presses the Gallery button, both cloud-hosted and locally stored photos and videos appear side by side, eliminating the need to tap the Folders button as before.
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### What This Means for You
Once the embedded photo picker rolls out:
– You will no longer need to grant the Google Messages app the “Photos and videos” permission to share media.
– In fact, you can revoke the “Photos and videos” permission after the feature becomes available.
– Although the embedded photo picker is supported on Android 14, it will only be visible on devices running **Android 16**.
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### Stay Updated
The rollout of this feature promises a smoother and more secure photo sharing experience in Google Messages. Keep an eye out for Android 16 updates to take advantage of the new embedded photo picker.
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https://www.phonearena.com/news/google-messages-new-photo-picker-saves-time_id175185
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