Android 14 and 15 Storage Changes — What's New

Android 14 introduced "Selected photos access" — a new permission model where users can grant apps access to only specific photos and videos rather than their entire media library. Android 15 continues this trend with further privacy refinements. For file manager users, the critical point is this: if AnExplorer has All Files Access (MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) granted, these changes do not restrict your file browsing. However, understanding what changed helps you troubleshoot issues and know what to expect after OS updates.

Android 14 Storage Changes Summary

1. Selected Photos Access (Visual Media Permission)

The biggest user-facing change. When an app requests access to photos or videos on Android 14, users now see three options:

• Allow access to all photos and videos — the traditional full-access grant
• Allow access to selected photos and videos — the new partial-access option
• Don't allow — deny completely

If a user selects "selected photos and videos," the app can ONLY see the specific files the user picked — nothing else in the DCIM, Pictures, or other media folders is visible to that app.

Impact on AnExplorer: None, as long as All Files Access is granted. MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE supersedes the media permissions entirely. You never see the photo picker restriction when using a properly permissioned file manager.

2. Photo Picker Improvements

The system photo picker (first introduced in Android 13) received significant updates:

• Cloud media provider integration (pick photos from Google Photos cloud directly)
• Better performance with large photo libraries
• Video selection support improvements
• Pre-selected items (apps can suggest what you might want to pick)

Apps that use the photo picker do not need any permission at all — the picker handles access in a sandboxed way. This does not affect file managers since they need direct filesystem access, not a picker.

3. Partial Media Access API

Android 14 introduced a new permission state: READ_MEDIA_VISUAL_USER_SELECTED. This tells the app that the user chose "selected photos" and the app should:

• Show a button to "select more photos" if it needs additional access
• Handle the case where previously accessible photos become inaccessible if the user modifies their selection
• Re-request access when new photos are needed

Again, file managers with MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE bypass this entirely.

4. Credential-Protected Storage

Android 14 enhanced how device encryption works with credential-encrypted storage (CE storage). Files in CE storage are only accessible after the user unlocks the device for the first time after boot. This affects:

• Apps that try to access files during Direct Boot (before unlock)
• Background services running before first unlock
• Not relevant for normal file manager usage after device unlock

5. Restrictions on Implicit Intents

Android 14 restricted how apps can send implicit intents, which can affect how file managers integrate with other apps:

• Intent-based file sharing between apps must be more explicit
• Some "open with" integrations may require updates
• AnExplorer handles this with proper intent targeting

Android 15 Storage Changes

1. Further Photo Picker Enhancements

Android 15 continues evolving the photo picker:

• Improved cloud provider integration
• Better embedded photo picker (can be displayed within the requesting app's UI)
• Search functionality within the picker
• Order by date, album, or location

2. App Data Directory Protection

Android 15 strengthens protection of Android/data/ and Android/obb/ directories:

• Even SAF-based workarounds that worked on some Android 14 devices are closed
• ADB access, USB MTP, and root remain the only ways to access other apps' private data
• File managers cannot access these paths regardless of All Files Access permission

3. Privacy Sandbox Updates

Ongoing privacy changes affect how apps track and identify files:

• Reduced access to file metadata that could be used for cross-app tracking
• EXIF data access restrictions in certain contexts
• File path exposure limitations for non-privileged apps

4. Potential Permission Revocation Changes

Android 15 may automatically revoke unused permissions more aggressively:

• Apps not opened for 30-60 days may lose permissions
• Notifications when permissions are auto-revoked
• One-tap re-grant from the notification

What Still Works on Android 14/15

For file managers like AnExplorer with MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE:

Troubleshooting After Android 14/15 Update

Files or folders disappeared after OS update

1. Permission was reset: Android sometimes resets permissions during major OS updates. Re-check: Settings → Apps → AnExplorer → Permissions → Files and media → Allow management of all files
2. Folder moved: Android 14 may have migrated some app data to new locations. WhatsApp media moved to Android/media/com.whatsapp/ in a previous version — check alternate paths
3. Hidden by new defaults: Some updated system apps may have changed visibility settings

AnExplorer asks for permission again after update

This is normal after a major OS update:

1. Grant the permission when prompted
2. Alternatively, go to Settings → Apps → AnExplorer → Permissions and re-grant manually
3. Disable auto-revocation: toggle off "Remove permissions if app isn't used"

Some photos don't appear in gallery but exist in file manager

The media scanner may not have re-indexed after the update:

1. Restart your phone (triggers full media scan)
2. If specific folders are missing from gallery, check for .nomedia files
3. Use Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear Cache to force re-scan
4. AnExplorer showing the files confirms they exist — the issue is gallery indexing, not file access

"Storage permission" error despite being granted

Some apps confuse the old READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE with the new READ_MEDIA_* permissions:

1. For AnExplorer: ensure MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is granted (not just media permissions)
2. Force-stop and reopen the app
3. If persistent, uninstall and reinstall AnExplorer, then re-grant permissions

How to Prepare for Future Android Versions

Each new Android version adds more storage restrictions. To maintain maximum file access:

1. Keep AnExplorer updated: Updates include compatibility changes for new Android versions
2. Grant All Files Access immediately: Don't rely on older permission models
3. Disable auto-permission-revocation: Prevents unexpected loss of access
4. Disable battery optimization for AnExplorer: Prevents background service kills
5. Use AnExplorer's cloud and network features: When local access is restricted, access files through alternative paths (SMB, cloud storage)

The Direction Android Storage is Heading

Understanding the trend helps set expectations:

More restricted (each year):

• App sandboxing grows stricter
• Cross-app data access becomes harder
• File path exposure is being reduced
• More reliance on content providers and pickers

Stable for file managers:

• MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE (All Files Access) remains the designated permission for file managers
• Google recognizes file managers as a legitimate use case for broad access
• The permission must be justified during Play Store review but is granted for legitimate file managers

What will likely never return:

• Unrestricted access to Android/data/ without root
• The old READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE blanket permission
• Silent background file access without user knowledge

Developer Perspective: Why These Changes Exist

For context, Google makes these changes because:

• Privacy: Users deserve to know exactly what each app can access
• Security: Limiting file access reduces malware's ability to exfiltrate data
• User control: The photo picker gives users granular control over their data
• Reducing accidents: Preventing apps from accidentally accessing sensitive files

File managers are the exception — they need broad access by definition, which is why MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE exists as a carefully controlled permission.

Related Guides

• Android Storage Permissions Explained — full permission history from Android 10+
• File Manager Not Opening — fix crashes after OS updates
• Can't Access USB — USB storage changes in recent Android
• Photos Not Showing in Gallery — media scanner issues after updates