[MCPE-170910] Valid skins can't be imported on Android and Chromebook devices

I've recently updated to Android 13 beta. On this version, android has a new way to ask for storage permission. To summarize, instead of asking for the entire storage permission, an application has to specify what type of storage it needs to access (since Android 13, the storage is split into three. if the application needs to access image files, the app will only ask the device for permission to access image files and you wouldn't be able to access the other two storage besides image file). I'm not sure if everyone else running Android 13 is having the same issue, however to me Minecraft has not yet implemented this change. The implications of this is that I am not able to change my skin because Minecraft does not recognize my storage. when I try to change my skin, the error That's not a Minecraft skin, silly/Please import a .png file of dimensions 64×64, 64×32 or 128×128 would pop up.

I have tried :
1. Reinstalling Minecraft
2. Adding the permission manually (doesn't work, there is no image permission or any storage permission listed)
3. Installing Minecraft trial to see if its a client issue, apparently doesn't work on this version as well.

Linked issues

is duplicated by 215

BDS-18681 "This is not a Minecraft skin" Resolved

BDS-18738 Can't change to original skin. The model is Pixel Resolved

BDS-18906 Whenever I decide to import a new skin through images, it says that I am not inporting a skin yet I am. Resolved

BDS-19335 Classic skin errors Resolved

BDS-19790 I can't add Skins. Resolved

210 more links

relates to 1

MCPE-110368 iOS: Get "That's not a Minecraft skin, silly" when trying to use custom skins Resolved

Attachments

Screenshot_2023-12-04-22-27-19-949_com.miui.mediaeditor-edit.jpg

Screenshot_2023-12-07-10-52-36-543_com.mojang.minecraftpe.jpg

Screenshot_20241123_134750_com_hihonor_android_internal_app_HwResolverActivity.png

Screenshot_20241123_134907_com_mojang_minecraftpe_MainActivity.jpg

VID_20230813_111953_813.mp4

Comments 51

Arisa Bot 2023-05-27T13:10:47Z

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Hyburn 2023-05-27T15:10:20Z

yes, i cannot change my skin since ive updated to android 13.

[Mojang] Mega_Spud (Jay) 2023-08-01T14:41:39Z

Reopened for review. If you could mention information about which devices are affected, and operating system version too, that would be helpful.

Also, for those still experiencing the issue on Android, could you please attempt to use a different gallery app to choose the skin? Choosing a different app to open and choose a custom skin might be a valid workaround for you.

Quick Links:
📓 Issue Guidelines – 💬 Mojang Support – 📧 Suggestions – 📖 Minecraft Wiki

Tempex34 2023-08-13T05:27:19Z

poco x5 device (moonstone) found the same error. android version 13. miui version 14.0.3 Global.

[media]

magatama 2023-09-27T23:53:00Z

Device:Google Pixel 7 Pro

OS:Android 14

First, I tried to add skin with Google photo app (this is OS standard gallery app) and it makes the same error "This is not a Minecraft skin silly".

After seeing this issue, I installed Google gallery (Gallery Go) and adding skin is succeed.

41 more comments

Chase Connor Blair 2023-10-01T17:10:09Z

To anyone who thinks the resolution is to pick a different gallery app Samsung s20 version can't allow you to switch a different gallery

Chase Connor Blair 2023-10-01T17:14:41Z

The just makes you use your galaxy gallery it refusing to let you use the photos app over galaxy gallery

Nick1245 2023-10-26T23:42:46Z

Ohh that's why
hope it gets fixed soon...

Woodman 2023-11-19T18:15:44Z

Quick temporary solution: download a skin pack maker and make a skin pack and import it into Minecraft and your skins should work.

PiBoOTCCCP 2023-12-07T08:49:45Z

@Mega_Spud
I will join the discussion. So I have the same problem. I tried to use different gallery app, as result the game interface corrupts and stay inactive. This problem on devices with last security update of Android 13 and higher.

[media]

PiBoOTCCCP 2023-12-15T01:08:35Z

The new update doesn't change anything. An error still is and i have some information about devices.

All Xiaomi/POCO/Redmi with native 12,13 android(from box)

All Samsung with native 13 android (October update)

All Pixel with native 11,12,13.

As you can see phones that have android 12+ on their devices that error occurred. This may be due to the fact that in the folders in which the game is located, reading and writing files is prohibited for security reasons.

Clumpytrack711 2023-12-18T05:28:53Z

Confirm after upgrading to Android 13 I have to same problem I'm on a moto g stylus 5G (2022)

thatsoad 2024-01-27T15:37:43Z

I'm having this problem too, it says "this is not a Minecraft skin silly" I thought it was because the skin was not in the appropriate size, but I made my cousin tested with his Minecraft PE and he was able to use the same skin I was not able to use. I really hope it get resolved quickly because I want to personalize my character to play with my friends.

Mr.Pufferfish 2024-02-13T05:26:57Z

Can confirm

My device: Poco X5 Pro l - MIUI 14

Mr.Pufferfish 2024-03-08T18:11:29Z

For those who are having this difficulty, you can add the skin with the app "skin pack maker". With it you can add a list of skins and import them directly into Minecraft

A_the_enby 2024-03-30T21:10:09Z

i am having this problem too, i tried everything i was told to try and still hasn't worked sadly

Brorenzo 2024-05-07T20:46:44Z

I downloaded the latest Google Gallery app, and Minecraft is now letting me import individual skins. No more turning them into Skin Packs. 🙂

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photosgo

Guy 2024-05-31T23:14:01Z

Just want to comment that Brorenzo's comment appears to fix the problem for those on mobile. It remains unknown if it's a fix for those on Chromebook.

Download Google Gallery app, then open it and close it.

Launch Minecraft and attempt to import a skin. Choose the Google Gallery app (set it to the default app if that's an option). And ta-da it should upload the skin successfully.

Versor 2024-06-04T05:33:33Z

I have exactly the same problem. I tried reinstalling and changing gallery programs, all to no avail

Hyburn 2024-06-25T01:09:00Z

its been a year since ive posted this, but the issue persisted and it goes well beyond android 13

https://developer.android.com/training/data-storage/shared/media#storage-permission

https://sentry.io/answers/storage-permissions-in-android-13/

this is a more in depth view on how storages work since android 13, and a way to fix it (should be helpful for the devs, i really hope this issue gets fixed really soon instead of us relying on the workarounds)

Little_Blue 2024-07-16T04:22:58Z

I've been trying to import skins using Google Photos, but Gallery makes it easy!

AniMario 2024-07-28T11:51:23Z

I'm using Google Pixel 8a Android 14, and the same phenomenon as the image occurs. I tried using external file managers and photo apps, but to no avail.

ariiiiii 2024-07-30T02:09:16Z

I've also been having this issue for a month or so on my Chromebook, but not on my phone, which is super confusing.

Lexiosity 2024-08-23T15:19:29Z

Affects 1.21.21

CrimsonSkies 2024-08-27T11:13:02Z

So, how did you fix the issue?

CrimsonSkies 2024-08-29T15:10:44Z

I still have the issue, will they ever fix it?

AniMario 2024-09-18T09:56:27Z

1.21.30 As of now it is not fixed

Zizians 2024-10-01T03:26:39Z

I'm on android 14 and I am too unable to import skins and appears the same error, my device is Nothing Phone 2a

JYN2018X 2024-10-06T09:44:09Z

Also affected with my iQOO Neo9S Pro+, but I can only use my custom skins by making a custom skin packs.

Ep1coolGamer 2024-10-18T00:37:00Z

Not working on moto edge (2022) with Android 13

Catpalgirl1234 2024-10-19T03:55:28Z

Moto g stylus

Maro33 2024-10-24T03:23:43Z

I tried to import from Google photos app and my phone's system gallery app and still doesn't work!

Android 13

AnnexedGames 2024-10-25T18:18:11Z

It is also on Samsung Galaxy S24

Cr4nkenStein 2024-11-03T22:27:33Z

Hi all,

i had this issue suddenly after installing 1.21.44.

As a workaround i installed the Google file explorer from the Playstore. This one i choosed in the dialoque field to select my local skinfile and it worked.

Cristalina 2024-11-12T00:46:50Z

I come here because I'm also having this annoying problem, my files are always correct and yet it's giving an error. I also tried using my Google photos and nothing works.

sakupenguy 2024-11-28T18:48:05Z

android 13 user here, its the same

Zizians 2024-12-03T18:15:02Z

Guys, you can try using the Google's Gallery app to import the file, it work for me, I'm on android 14.

Rafa2219 2024-12-06T13:59:53Z

[media][media]

In my case I can't use other options, therefore I don't think it will work for everyone and we just have to wait for them to solve it.

Ninjadankinate2 2024-12-15T22:50:01Z

I'm seeing the same on iOS.

Ninjadankinate2 2024-12-22T07:02:15Z

Workaround on iOS is to wrap your classic skin png into a skin pack, and import it.

See the following guide for details.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/documents/packagingaskinpack?view=minecraft-bedrock-stable

In my case, I used a Mac to create the skin pack files and directory, zip it, rename the file extension to mcpack, and share the mcpack file via airdrop to my iOS device. After that, just open/import the file with Minecraft.