I can access iOS Photo Library without requesting permission - ios

Question

I am trying to access the photo library for a new app that I am writing. I have an actionSheet that allows the user to choose between their camera and their photo library. When opening the camera, it asks the user for permission but when opening the photo library it does not. Despite this, it still brings the user to their photo library. I specifically referenced it in my info.plist, but there is still no difference. Any help? My code:
#IBAction func allowAccessToPhotos(_ sender: Any) {
let imagePickerController = UIImagePickerController()
imagePickerController.delegate = self
let actionSheet = UIAlertController(title: "Photo Source", message: "Choose a Source", preferredStyle: .actionSheet)
actionSheet.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: "Photo Library", style: .default, handler: { (action:UIAlertAction) in imagePickerController.sourceType = .photoLibrary
self.present(imagePickerController, animated: true, completion: nil)
}))
actionSheet.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: "Camera", style: .default, handler: { (action:UIAlertAction) in imagePickerController.sourceType = .camera
self.present(imagePickerController, animated: true, completion: nil)
}))
actionSheet.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: "Cancel", style: .cancel, handler: nil))
self.present(actionSheet, animated: true, completion: nil)
}

Answer 1

As per UIImagePickerController behaviour, It never gives dialogue to the user for Photos access. UIImagePickerController only ask for the Camera permission.
You have to ask for Photos permission manually to the user. By using the below code you can ask the user for Photos permission.
import Photos
#IBAction func allowAccessToPhotos(_ sender: Any) {
let imagePickerController = UIImagePickerController()
imagePickerController.delegate = self
let actionSheet = UIAlertController(title: "Photo Source", message: "Choose a Source", preferredStyle: .actionSheet)
actionSheet.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: "Photo Library", style: .default, handler: { (action:UIAlertAction) in imagePickerController.sourceType = .photoLibrary
let photoAuthorizationStatus = PHPhotoLibrary.authorizationStatus()
switch photoAuthorizationStatus {
case .authorized:
self.present(imagePickerController, animated: true, completion: nil)
case .notDetermined:
PHPhotoLibrary.requestAuthorization({
(newStatus) in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
if newStatus == PHAuthorizationStatus.authorized {
self.present(imagePickerController, animated: true, completion: nil)
}else{
print("User denied")
}
}})
break
case .restricted:
print("restricted")
break
case .denied:
print("denied")
break
}}))
actionSheet.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: "Camera", style: .default, handler: { (action:UIAlertAction) in imagePickerController.sourceType = .camera
self.present(imagePickerController, animated: true, completion: nil)
}))
}
Please refer reference.
Important Note:
If you're not asking for Photos permission to the user then It will cause rejection by the apple team. It depends on your luck, Sometimes the apple team ignore it and sometimes reject our app.

Answer 2

From iOS 11, UIImagePickerController is running remotely on a separate process.
So, your app doesn't need the standard privacy authorization for Photos library access, it gets read-only access just for whichever asset(s) the user chooses in the imagePicker.
To add new asset into photo-library you need NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription in your Info.plist - forum thread

Answer 3

yes you can access photos by PhotosUI library without permission
import PhotosUI
var config = PHPickerConfiguration()
config.selectionLimit = 4
config.filter = .images
let vc = PHPickerViewController(configuration: config)
vc.delegate = self
self.present(vc, animated: true)
extension UIViewController: PHPickerViewControllerDelegate {
func picker(_ picker: PHPickerViewController, didFinishPicking results: [PHPickerResult]) {
var images = [UIImage]()
for image in results {
if image.itemProvider.canLoadObject(ofClass: UIImage.self) {
image.itemProvider.loadObject(ofClass: UIImage.self) { (newImage, error) in
if let error = error {
print(error.localizedDescription)
} else {
self.images.append(newImage as! UIImage)
}
}
} else {
print("Loaded Assest is not a Image")
}
}
picker.dismiss(animated: true)
}
}