Photo albums not all showing in Google Messages OR Samsung Messages

[Eric618]

Hi all. On my S23 Ultra, I just switched to Google Messages after using NextSMS for long time. With Google Messages (and the same with Samsung Messages), when I try to attach a picture, it only shows four albums (Camera, Screenshots, Videos, Downloads). I need to hit "Browse", choose my app (in my case Gallery), and then I can browse them all. Is there a way to have all the albums show up and not just those four? Thanks!

[Eric618]

Thank you! The thing is, the apps in question are Google Messages and Samsung Messages (both exhibit the same behaviors). My phone is an Android S23 Ultra, so they aren't even 'really' third party apps. That's the most frustrating thing for me.

[ILoveGabcom]

But did you go into the album settings and "Select Which Albums To Show?" Because my Samsung Messaging initially showed only half of my albums, but after I changed it, it now displays all the albums when I go to attach a photo in a text message. Is your Samsung Gallery updated? The last update was from this past Sept.

[Eric618]

In Samsung Gallery? I don't see that option. It's set not to show only essential albums, but I don't see a setting to pick/choose particular albums. I am running the latest version.

[ILoveGabcom]

I was exploring Gallery settings a little more.
• Going into settings (clicking on the bottom right 3 bars) while on the Albims tab brings up the tab where settings is located. Open settings and see if your phone has the option to "Select Albums To Show" (image 1).
• Turning this open off only allows the option to "Hide albums" when you click on the 3 dots on the top right.
• Turning this on allows you to select which Albims to be displayed.
I believe the first option is a more permanent one, and affects apps more since it's more of a system setting whereas the second one is more of a Sort / View option.
Your phone is likely slightly different, since I don't have the option for "Essential Albims".

[Eric618]

This is what mine shows...

[ILoveGabcom]

Actually, I just read that you had gone into settings before. Do you not have the 3 dots on the top right when you're on the Albums tab?

[Eric618]

I do have all that. No option for "Select Albums to Show", however. How weird!

[ILoveGabcom]

What options are listed under the top right three dots?

[Eric618]

This is what I have...

[ILoveGabcom]

Turn on the Select Essential Albums. After you do that, what are the options on the top three dots?