How To Enable Storage Permission On Samsung | Settings Inside

On a Samsung Galaxy, enable storage permission by giving Allow to Files and media (Android 13+) or Storage in Settings > Apps.

The “Storage” permission you used to know on Samsung phones is now called Files and media on recent models running One UI 5.0 or higher. If you tap through an app’s Settings menu and can’t find the familiar toggle, this rename is the most likely reason. Here is exactly where it lives on every Android version, plus the alternate path for apps that need full file system access.

How to Enable Storage Permission on Samsung (Android 13 and Later)

On Galaxy devices with Android 13 or 14 (One UI 5.0 through 6.1), the standard “Storage” permission has been completely replaced by Files and media.

1. Open Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the target app — for example, Gallery, Dropbox, or a camera app.
3. Tap Permissions.
4. Tap Files and media.
5. Select Allow or Allow only while using the app.

The app will now be able to access photos, videos, and audio files stored on your device. If you do not see Files and media, the app may be targeting an older Android API. Try the All files access method below or update the app from the Galaxy Store.

Alternatively, you can use the Permission manager. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right of the Apps screen, select Permission manager, then tap Files and media. Find your app in the list and choose Allow. This is often faster and shows you exactly which apps have requested the permission. Samsung’s official support guide covers this exactly.

Enabling “All Files Access” on Your Samsung Phone

For apps like file managers, backup tools, or cloud sync services, standard media access is not enough. Samsung provides a separate toggle for full file system control under Special app access.

1. Open Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (top right) > Special app access.
3. Tap All files access (sometimes labeled “Manage external storage” on older One UI versions).
4. Tap the app’s name in the list and toggle it to Allow.

This permission is typically required by apps that manage files, perform backups, or interact with system folders. You will find it under the Special app access menu rather than the standard Permissions screen. Google restricts its use on the Play Store — only grant it to apps you fully trust, as it allows them to read, modify, or delete any file on your device.

Enabling Storage Permission on Older Samsung Phones (Android 10–12)

On Galaxy devices running Android 10 through 12 (One UI 2.0 to 4.0), the permission is still called Storage. The route is straightforward.

1. Open Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the target app.
3. Tap Permissions.
4. Tap Storage.
5. Select Allow.

The app will now have access to your device’s local file system. If you are on Android 12 and have since updated your phone’s OS, check whether the label has moved to Files and media — Samsung’s One UI updates sometimes carry the rename even if the base Android version is technically 12.

What If the Storage Setting Is Missing or Grayed Out on My Samsung?

A missing or grayed-out permission toggle usually points to a quirk in One UI’s permission manager or a version mismatch. These four checks solve it almost every time.

• Use the Permission manager instead. Open Settings > Apps > three-dot menu > Permission manager. Tap Files and media to see every app that requested it. Select the missing app and choose Allow.
• Turn off the “Unused apps” optimization. Samsung aggressively manages background activity. In Settings > Apps > [App] > Unused app settings, toggle Pause app activity if unused to Off. This prevents the phone from automatically revoking the permission you just granted.
• Update or reinstall the app. An app targeting an older SDK may not request the new permission labels properly. Update it from the Galaxy Store or Play Store. If the toggle is still missing, uninstall and reinstall to reset the permission request entirely.
• Clear the app’s cache. Go to Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage > Clear cache. Then force-close the app and reopen it. The permission prompt often re-appears after a fresh launch.

If none of these work, reboot the phone. A full restart forces the OS to re-read the permission cache, which often bridges the gap between a correctly set toggle and a stubborn app that doesn’t see it.

Enable Storage Permission on a Samsung — Quick Version

Want the simplest path?

• Android 13+: Use Files and media in Settings > Apps > Permissions.
• Android 10–12: Use Storage in Settings > Apps > Permissions.
• Full file access: Use All files access in Settings > Apps > Special app access.