It seems that Google is making some new features from Android 13 available on older versions as well. According to new findings, this also includes the so-called Photo Picker. In its latest version, this is visually new and safer. The new Photo Picker really only allows the respective app to see the photos that you have actually selected.
That means: If you select a new picture for a contact in your Contacts app, for example, you open the so-called Photo Picker for it. A selection window that shows all the images that are on your device. Apps used to have direct access to all those photos instantly. With the new version, the handling is different and better for privacy.
You can see all the photos on the screen, but you only provide the ones you manually select for the respective app.
“Android 13 adds support for a new photo picker tool. This tool gives users a secure, built-in way to select media files without having to give your app access to their entire media library.”
The new feature should not only work on Android 13
Interestingly, Google has written in an info field that parts of this new feature will probably also come for Android 11 and 12 or apps with these API targets. You want to deliver it via Google System Updates. Unfortunately, it is not mentioned which version is meant. May, June, or later, unfortunately, we don’t know.
“Upcoming Google Play system updates are expected to include new features related to photo pickers. In such an update, the library adds support for apps targeting Android 11 (API level 30) or higher.”
If I understand correctly, the new feature will definitely work with older apps too. And should theoretically also work on the older Android version from 11.
