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Permissions

DOSGamePlayer asks for the minimum set of Android permissions it needs to work. If you accidentally denied one, here's how to recover.

What permissions does the app use?​

PermissionPurposeAndroid version
INTERNETDownloading ROMs, game metadata, cloud backup (premium)All
ACCESS_NETWORK_STATEKnowing if you're on Wi-Fi vs cellularAll
VIBRATEHaptic feedback for virtual buttonsAll
READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGEReading ROM/BIOS/save files from device storageAndroid 10–12 only (API 29–32)
READ_MEDIA_AUDIOSame purpose under the new media permission modelAndroid 13+ (API 33+)

Internet, network state, and vibrate are granted automatically (they're "normal" permissions). Only the storage permission is interactive.

What if I denied storage permission?​

When you tap Add ROM from Device in the Add Game flow and you previously denied storage, the SAF file picker will not show your files. Two paths:

A — Re-grant from system settings​

  1. Open Android's Settings app.
  2. Apps → DOSGamePlayer → Permissions.
  3. Tap Files and media (or Storage, depending on Android version).
  4. Allow.
  5. Return to DOSGamePlayer and retry.

B — Use Storage Access Framework directly​

Even without the broad media permission, SAF can grant per-file access:

  1. Tap Add ROM from Device again.
  2. If the picker still won't show your folder, use Android's system file picker (Files app or your usual file browser) to open the ROM file.
  3. Choose "Share" → DOSGamePlayer (when available), or copy the ROM into the app's accessible folder.

What if I see "Permanently denied"?​

Some Android versions remember a permission denial as "Don't ask again". When that happens:

  1. Same flow as A above (system settings → app → permissions).
  2. Set the permission to Allow.
  3. The app needs to be restarted (kill it from recents) to pick up the change.

Permissions DOSGamePlayer does not use​

  • Location — not used
  • Camera — not used
  • Contacts — not used
  • SMS / Calls — not used
  • READ_MEDIA_IMAGES / READ_MEDIA_VIDEO — explicitly avoided to prevent the Android 14+ Selected Photos consent banner
  • WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE — not needed since Android 10; app uses Scoped Storage

If the app ever asks for a permission outside the table above on a current version, treat it as a bug.