Yes — since your device is running Android 16 (or Android 13+ / API 33+), your app does need to request permission, but not the old one (READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE).
Instead, for photos, you must request this new permission:
READ_MEDIA_IMAGES
So, to make it clear:
READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE→ won’t work anymore on Android 13+
READ_MEDIA_IMAGES→ must be used if you want to access photos
READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, it will fail on Android 13+ devices.
Also read here SAF: App Inventor implementation of Storage Access Framework
This mighty be helpful Access non-media and media files on Android 11+
If i make it clear mark it as solution