Troubleshooting: Permissions or Connected Feature Issues
When to use this page
Use this guide when an App you run in Spanner can’t access a device feature (like the camera) or when a connected feature (like pulling info from another service) doesn’t behave as expected.
Quick fix checklist (try in order)
Where to check permissions (quick directions)
If you previously tapped Don’t Allow (or changed your mind later), you usually need to turn access back on in your phone settings.
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → choose the feature (for example Camera or Microphone) → turn Spanner on.
- Or: Settings → scroll to Spanner → enable the permissions you want (options vary by device).
- Open Settings → Apps (or Apps & notifications) → Spanner → Permissions → allow the needed permission (like Camera).
- Some devices also show: Settings → Privacy → Permission manager.
Common problems and fixes
- Switch apps and come back: go to your home screen, then return to Spanner and try again.
- Close and reopen Spanner, then rerun the App.
- Restart your device if it keeps happening.
- Check camera access: ensure Spanner has Camera permission enabled (see above).
- Test your phone’s Camera app: if it’s also black, the issue is likely outside Spanner.
This is expected—Spanner can’t use that feature until you turn it back on in device settings.
- Open your device Settings and re-enable the permission for Spanner (see “Where to check permissions”).
- Return to Spanner and run the App again.
- Check Photos permission for Spanner in your device settings.
- If your device offers a choice like Selected Photos vs All Photos, make sure Spanner can access what you’re trying to attach.
- Try attaching from a different album or a newer photo to rule out a single file issue.
- Check Microphone permission for Spanner.
- Make sure your device isn’t muted and that no other app is actively using the microphone.
- Close and reopen Spanner, then retry.
- Confirm you’re online (try opening a webpage in your browser).
- Reconnect the service inside Spanner (disconnect, then connect again).
- Check for multiple accounts: if you have more than one account with the service, make sure you’re signing into the one that has the data you expect.
- Turn off VPN/ad blockers temporarily and retry the connection flow.
- Run the App again after a minute—some services take time to update.
- Confirm you’re signed into the right account for the connected service.
- Reconnect the service to refresh access.
- Check device time/date: incorrect time settings can cause sign-in and sync issues.
If it still doesn’t work
- Try another App in Spanner that uses the same feature (for example, another App that uses the camera). If all Apps fail, it’s likely a permission/device setting issue.
- Update Spanner from the App Store / Play Store, then try again.
- Restart your device (especially after changing permissions).
- Use a fallback when available (for example, type the information manually instead of scanning).