If you’re an avid Pokémon Go player, you might have noticed that screenshots, photos, or in-game images are automatically saved to your iPhone’s camera roll. While this feature can be useful, it might also clutter your photo library or raise privacy concerns. If you’d prefer to prevent Pokémon Go from saving pictures directly to your camera roll, this guide will walk you through the simple steps to disable this feature on your iPhone. No technical expertise needed—just follow these clear instructions to regain control over your photo storage.
What You’ll Need
- An iPhone running iOS 14 or later
- The Pokémon Go app installed on your device
- Basic familiarity with your iPhone settings
Step-by-Step
- Open the Settings app: Locate and tap the gray gear icon on your iPhone’s home screen to access your device settings.
- Scroll to Privacy & Security: In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find ‘Privacy & Security,’ then tap to open it.
- Tap on Photos: Within Privacy & Security, find and select ‘Photos.’ This section controls app access to your photo library.
- Select Pokémon Go: From the list of apps, locate ‘Pokémon Go’ and tap on it to adjust its photo permissions.
- Change permission to ‘Never’: You’ll see options such as ‘Selected Photos,’ ‘All Photos,’ or ‘Never.’ Tap ‘Never’ to prevent Pokémon Go from saving or accessing photos in your camera roll.
- Confirm your choice: Exit the settings. Pokémon Go will now be restricted from saving pictures directly to your camera roll.
- Optional – Disable in-game screenshot saving: If Pokémon Go is still saving screenshots despite this setting, check the app’s in-game settings. Open Pokémon Go, go to Settings, and look for options related to saving screenshots or images. Disable any toggle that allows automatic saving.
Common Mistakes
- Not changing app permissions correctly: Selecting ‘All Photos’ instead of ‘Never’ will continue to allow the app to save images to your camera roll.
- Forgetting to restart the app: After changing permissions, ensure you close Pokémon Go completely and restart it to apply the new settings.
- Adjusting settings in the wrong section: Make sure you’re changing permissions under ‘Photos’ in Privacy & Security, not in the app’s internal settings alone.
- Ignoring in-app settings: Sometimes, in-game options override system permissions. Always check Pokémon Go’s settings if images still save automatically.
Tips
- Regularly review app permissions to maintain control over your privacy and storage.
- If you want to save specific images, manually save them instead of enabling automatic saving.
- Use iOS Screen Recording or screenshots manually when needed, rather than relying on app features to do so automatically.
- Keep your iPhone’s iOS updated to ensure compatibility with the latest privacy controls and app versions.
Troubleshooting
If Pokémon Go still saves pictures to your camera roll after following these steps, try the following:
- Force close Pokémon Go: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the Home button on older devices) to view the app switcher, then swipe the Pokémon Go window up to close it. Reopen the app after making permission changes.
- Revoke and re-grant permissions: Return to Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos, and toggle the permission from ‘Never’ to another setting, then back to ‘Never.’
- Update Pokémon Go and iOS: Ensure both the app and your device are running the latest versions, as updates often fix bugs related to permissions.
- Reset all settings: If problems persist, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This resets system settings without deleting your data but should be used as a last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will changing photo permissions affect my ability to take screenshots in Pokémon Go?
No. Changing photo permissions to ‘Never’ only restricts the app from accessing or saving images to your camera roll. You can still take screenshots manually if needed.
2. Can I selectively save certain Pokémon Go images to my camera roll?
Yes. Instead of enabling automatic saving, manually save images by taking screenshots or saving specific pictures within the app, if available.
3. Does disabling photo saving affect game performance?
No. It only controls whether images are saved to your camera roll. The game’s performance remains unaffected.
4. What if I want Pokémon Go to save some photos but not others?
Use in-app settings to control which images are saved, or manually save only the images you want. System permissions are a broad control that applies to all images.
5. Is it possible to prevent Pokémon Go from accessing my photos altogether?
Yes. Set the photo permission to ‘Never’ in Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos. This prevents the app from accessing or saving any photos.
6. Will changing permissions delete existing photos saved by Pokémon Go?
No. Existing photos in your camera roll are unaffected. This change only stops future images from being saved automatically.
Controlling how Pokémon Go interacts with your iPhone’s photo library helps manage your storage and privacy. By following these steps, you can prevent unwanted images from cluttering your camera roll while still enjoying the game. Remember to review permissions periodically, especially after app updates, to keep your preferences intact.
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