Resolve the missing photo access prompt by relaunching the app.
When you launch Adobe Lightroom on iOS for the first time using a feature deeplink, such as a link that opens directly to a specific editing tool or gallery, the app may skip the standard iOS photo access permission prompt. Without this prompt, you won’t be able to grant Lightroom access to your device’s photo library, which prevents the app from importing, displaying, or editing your photos.
After tapping a feature deeplink to launch Lightroom on a device where the app has just been installed, the iOS system dialog asking for photo access does not appear. The app opens directly to the feature screen, but you cannot view or import photos from your device’s library.
This issue occurs specifically when a deeplink bypasses the normal first-launch flow. The following solution will restore the photo access prompt:
The feature deeplink interrupts the standard first-launch sequence, preventing iOS from displaying the photo access permission dialog that normally appears when an app requests access to your photo library for the first time. The photo access prompt will appear during manual relaunch, allowing you to grant the necessary permissions.
- Close Lightroom app completely by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and swiping the app off the screen.
- Relaunch Lightroom from your Home screen by tapping the Lightroom icon.
- When the iOS photo access dialog appears, select Allow Access to All Photos or your preferred access level.
- Confirm that Lightroom can now display and import photos from your device.
iOS 14 and later offer multiple photo access levels, including Select Photos, Allow Access to All Photos, and Don't Allow. If you select Select Photos, you'll need to manually choose which photos Lightroom can access each time you launch the app, and automatic import features will not work. To change your photo access settings after initial setup, go to your device's Settings > Lightroom > Photos and select All Photos.
