Photos permission guide
Full versus limited Photos access for screenshot search
Choose full or limited Photos access for screenshot search by understanding index coverage, privacy scope, missing results, and permission changes.
Direct answer
Should screenshot search use full or limited Photos access?
Choose full access when you want a complete screenshot index and trust the app's stated local data handling. Choose limited access when you want to search only selected images. Limited access improves scope control but guarantees a partial index.
Full access supports complete retrieval
A full-library index can recognize and search every screenshot available within the approved Photos library. This is the right scope when the job is finding an old screenshot regardless of when it was saved. It also means the app can read more images, so architecture and privacy language matter.
For Stillsift, full access enables the approved full-library PhotoKit indexer. Recognition and indexing run on the iPhone, the local index stays with the app, and original images remain in Photos. The free product boundary limits search and browsing to the newest 100 screenshots while the approved library remains indexed; Pro unlocks search across the complete index.
Limited access creates a selected index
Limited access lets you choose specific images. It is useful for testing a workflow, searching a project subset, or keeping unrelated personal images outside the app's visible library. Search quality within that subset can still be strong, but coverage is intentionally incomplete.
A missing result under limited access may simply mean the screenshot was never selected. Good product copy should say this clearly. Search cannot return text from an image the app is not allowed to read.
Permission and payment solve different problems
Photos permission determines which screenshots are visible to the app. A purchase determines which product features are unlocked. Paying for full-library search does not override iPhone privacy controls, and granting full Photos access does not automatically purchase Pro.
Stillsift keeps these boundaries separate. The app indexes the screenshots allowed by the selected Photos permission. Free search and browsing show the newest 100 approved screenshots, while Pro unlocks the complete local index. If Photos access is limited, even Pro can search only that limited selection until permission changes.
| Choice | Index coverage | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Full Photos access | All approved screenshots | Complete retrieval across the library |
| Limited Photos access | Selected screenshots only | A controlled subset or initial evaluation |
| No Photos access | No screenshot index | Browse the product explanation without indexing |
Make the choice with a short audit
Read the mobile app privacy policy, confirm where recognition runs, and identify what extracted data is stored. Decide whether complete retrieval is worth the broader access scope. You can review and change app permissions later in iPhone Privacy and Security settings.
After changing access, allow the app to reconcile its local index. Results should reflect the screenshots currently approved. If an image leaves the approved set, its local index record should no longer be treated as searchable evidence.
- Read the app's Photos and data-handling explanation.
- Choose complete coverage or a selected subset.
- Review the resulting index scope.
- Change permission later if your needs change.
Sources and further reading
- Control what you share on iPhoneApple Support
- Copy and translate text from photos on iPhone or iPadApple Support
Related questions
Questions, answered
Can Pro search screenshots outside limited access?
No. An in-app purchase does not override the Photos permission selected in iPhone settings.
Can I change from limited to full access later?
Yes. iPhone privacy settings let you review and change an app's access.
Why would I choose limited access?
It keeps the searchable scope to images you select, which can be useful for evaluation or a focused project.