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Can't upload custom sprites on mobile device

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MC

MobileCreator88

Posted on January 22, 2024 • Beginner

📱 Can’t upload sprites on my Android phone

Hey everyone! I’m trying to create a game on my Motorola phone using the Scratch app, but I’m having a really frustrating issue. I can’t seem to upload any of my own sprite images from my phone’s gallery!

When I tap the upload button, it only shows the default Scratch sprites. I have some cool character drawings saved as PNG files that I want to use, but they just won’t appear as options. Is this a known issue with mobile devices?

Any help would be super appreciated! 🙏

TH

TechHelper_Pro

Replied 1 hour later • ⭐ Best Answer

Hey @MobileCreator88! This is actually a common issue on mobile devices. Let me walk you through the solution step by step:

📋 Mobile Sprite Upload Process

Here’s the correct workflow for uploading sprites on mobile:

flowchart TD A[📱 Open Scratch App] --> B[Create/Open Project] B --> C[Tap Sprite Area] C --> D[Choose Upload Option] D --> E{File Format Check} E -->|✅ PNG/JPG/BMP| F[Select from Gallery] E -->|❌ SVG/Other| G[Convert File First] F --> H[Grant Photo Permission] H --> I[Browse Gallery] I --> J[Select Image] J --> K[✅ Sprite Uploaded] G --> L[Use Online Converter] L --> M[Save as PNG/JPG] M --> F style A fill:#e1f5fe style K fill:#e8f5e8 style G fill:#fff3e0 style L fill:#fce4ec

🔧 Step-by-Step Solution

1. Check File Format

Make sure your images are in supported formats:

  • ✅ PNG (recommended)
  • ✅ JPG/JPEG
  • ✅ BMP
  • ❌ SVG (not supported on mobile)
  • ❌ GIF (limited support)

2. Grant Permissions

Ensure Scratch has photo access:

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Scratch
  • Enable “Photos” or “Storage” permission
  • Restart the Scratch app

3. Proper Upload Method

  • Tap the sprite icon in the bottom-right
  • Select “Upload Sprite” (camera icon)
  • Choose “Choose from Gallery”
  • Navigate to your saved images
  • Select your PNG/JPG file

🚨 Common Issues & Fixes

Issue: Files don’t appear in gallery

  • Check if files are in the correct folder (usually Downloads or Pictures)
  • Try moving images to the main Pictures folder
  • Restart the gallery app

Issue: Upload button is grayed out

  • Check internet connection
  • Update the Scratch app
  • Clear app cache and restart

Issue: Image appears corrupted

  • Reduce image size (max 2MB recommended)
  • Convert to PNG format
  • Avoid images with transparency issues

💡 Pro Tips for Mobile Sprite Creation

    // Optimize your sprites for mobile
// Keep file sizes under 2MB
// Use PNG for best quality
// Recommended dimensions: 480x360 or smaller
  • Size matters: Keep images under 2MB for faster uploads
  • Dimensions: 480x360 pixels or smaller work best
  • Background: Use transparent PNG for characters
  • Naming: Use simple filenames without special characters

Try these steps and let me know if you’re still having issues! 📱✨

MC

MobileCreator88

Replied 45 minutes later

@TechHelper_Pro OMG thank you so much! 🎉 The permission thing was exactly the issue!

I had no idea I needed to grant photo access separately. Once I did that and restarted the app, all my images showed up perfectly. My game characters look amazing now!

You’re a lifesaver! 🙌

AD

AppDev_Sarah

Replied 2 hours later

Great solution @TechHelper_Pro! 👏 I’d like to add a few more tips for mobile users:

📱 Alternative Methods

  • Cloud Storage: Upload images to Google Drive/Dropbox, then download to phone
  • Email Method: Email images to yourself and save from email app
  • Web Version: Use scratch.mit.edu in mobile browser for more upload options

🎨 Image Editing Apps

For better sprite preparation on mobile:

  • GIMP (free): Full-featured editor
  • Canva: Easy background removal
  • Remove.bg: Automatic background removal

Hope this helps other mobile creators! 📲

VB

Vibelf_Community

Pinned Message • Moderator

📱 Mobile Scratch Development Resources

Excellent discussion! For mobile Scratch developers looking to master sprite management and mobile-specific features, our community offers:

  • 📱 Mobile optimization techniques
  • 🎨 Sprite creation workflows
  • 🔧 Troubleshooting mobile issues
  • 💡 Cross-platform development tips

📚 Related Mobile Topics

Need personalized help with mobile Scratch development? Connect with our expert tutors who specialize in mobile app creation!