diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 78701ba78..04f8269fb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -61,4 +61,4 @@ jobs:
           KEY_ALIAS: ${{ secrets.KEY_ALIAS }}
           KEY_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.KEY_PASSWORD }}
           KEY_STORE_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.KEY_STORE_PASSWORD }}
-        run: ./gradlew publishReleaseBundle
+        run: ./gradlew publishPlayStoreBundle
diff --git a/app/build.gradle.kts b/app/build.gradle.kts
index 9b9db8b5a..72702c9af 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ android {
     resValue("string", "app_search_string", "Search Kiwix")
     versionCode = generateVersionCode()
     versionName = generateVersionName()
+    manifestPlaceholders["permission"] = "android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
   }
   lintOptions {
     isCheckDependencies = true
@@ -53,14 +54,22 @@ android {
     getByName("debug") {
       multiDexKeepProguard = file("multidex-instrumentation-config.pro")
       buildConfigField("boolean", "KIWIX_ERROR_ACTIVITY", "false")
+      buildConfigField("boolean", "IS_PLAYSTORE", "false")
     }
 
     getByName("release") {
       buildConfigField("boolean", "KIWIX_ERROR_ACTIVITY", "true")
+      buildConfigField("boolean", "IS_PLAYSTORE", "false")
       if (properties.containsKey("disableSigning")) {
         signingConfig = null
       }
     }
+    create("playStore") {
+      initWith(getByName("release"))
+      matchingFallbacks = listOf("release")
+      buildConfigField("boolean", "IS_PLAYSTORE", "true")
+      manifestPlaceholders["permission"] = "android.permission.placeholder"
+    }
   }
   bundle {
     language {
diff --git a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 3bc1f39af..9d8739a8b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE" />
-  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
-    tools:ignore="ScopedStorage" />
+  <uses-permission android:name="${permission}" />
 
   <queries>
     <intent>
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/main/KiwixMainActivity.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/main/KiwixMainActivity.kt
index 4bf34b77e..e724d14e6 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/main/KiwixMainActivity.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/main/KiwixMainActivity.kt
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import kotlinx.android.synthetic.main.activity_kiwix_main.bottom_nav_view
 import kotlinx.android.synthetic.main.activity_kiwix_main.drawer_nav_view
 import kotlinx.android.synthetic.main.activity_kiwix_main.navigation_container
 import kotlinx.android.synthetic.main.activity_kiwix_main.reader_drawer_nav_view
+import org.kiwix.kiwixmobile.BuildConfig
 import org.kiwix.kiwixmobile.R
 import org.kiwix.kiwixmobile.core.base.FragmentActivityExtensions
 import org.kiwix.kiwixmobile.core.di.components.CoreComponent
@@ -100,6 +101,7 @@ class KiwixMainActivity : CoreMainActivity() {
     if (sharedPreferenceUtil.showIntro()) {
       navigate(KiwixReaderFragmentDirections.actionReaderFragmentToIntroFragment())
     }
+    sharedPreferenceUtil.setIsPlayStoreBuildType(BuildConfig.IS_PLAYSTORE)
   }
 
   override fun onSupportActionModeStarted(mode: ActionMode) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/LocalLibraryFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/LocalLibraryFragment.kt
index ba91a0451..7add89e02 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/LocalLibraryFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/LocalLibraryFragment.kt
@@ -284,26 +284,30 @@ class LocalLibraryFragment : BaseFragment() {
         REQUEST_STORAGE_PERMISSION
       )
     } else {
-      if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
-        if (Environment.isExternalStorageManager()) {
-          // We already have permission!!
-          requestFileSystemCheck()
-        } else {
-          if (sharedPreferenceUtil.manageExternalFilesPermissionDialog) {
-            // We should only ask for first time, If the users wants to revoke settings
-            // then they can directly toggle this feature from settings screen
-            sharedPreferenceUtil.manageExternalFilesPermissionDialog = false
-            // Show Dialog and  Go to settings to give permission
-            dialogShower.show(
-              KiwixDialog.ManageExternalFilesPermissionDialog,
-              {
-                this.activity?.let(FragmentActivity::navigateToSettings)
-              }
-            )
-          }
-        }
-      } else {
+      if (sharedPreferenceUtil.isPlayStoreBuild) {
         requestFileSystemCheck()
+      } else {
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
+          if (Environment.isExternalStorageManager()) {
+            // We already have permission!!
+            requestFileSystemCheck()
+          } else {
+            if (sharedPreferenceUtil.manageExternalFilesPermissionDialog) {
+              // We should only ask for first time, If the users wants to revoke settings
+              // then they can directly toggle this feature from settings screen
+              sharedPreferenceUtil.manageExternalFilesPermissionDialog = false
+              // Show Dialog and  Go to settings to give permission
+              dialogShower.show(
+                KiwixDialog.ManageExternalFilesPermissionDialog,
+                {
+                  this.activity?.let(FragmentActivity::navigateToSettings)
+                }
+              )
+            }
+          }
+        } else {
+          requestFileSystemCheck()
+        }
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/OnlineLibraryFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/OnlineLibraryFragment.kt
index 17fa04cc9..cc4ba3adf 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/OnlineLibraryFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/nav/destination/library/OnlineLibraryFragment.kt
@@ -300,16 +300,24 @@ class OnlineLibraryFragment : BaseFragment(), FragmentActivityExtensions {
       )
       sharedPreferenceUtil.putStoragePosition(INTERNAL_SELECT_POSITION)
     } else {
-      if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
-        val view = LayoutInflater.from(activity).inflate(R.layout.select_folder_dialog, null)
-        dialogShower.show(SelectFolder { view }, ::selectFolder)
+      if (sharedPreferenceUtil.isPlayStoreBuild) {
+        setExternalStoragePath(storageDevice)
       } else {
-        sharedPreferenceUtil.putPrefStorage(storageDevice.name)
-        sharedPreferenceUtil.putStoragePosition(EXTERNAL_SELECT_POSITION)
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
+          val view = LayoutInflater.from(activity).inflate(R.layout.select_folder_dialog, null)
+          dialogShower.show(SelectFolder { view }, ::selectFolder)
+        } else {
+          setExternalStoragePath(storageDevice)
+        }
       }
     }
   }
 
+  private fun setExternalStoragePath(storageDevice: StorageDevice) {
+    sharedPreferenceUtil.putPrefStorage(storageDevice.name)
+    sharedPreferenceUtil.putStoragePosition(EXTERNAL_SELECT_POSITION)
+  }
+
   private fun selectFolder() {
     val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE)
     intent.addFlags(
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/settings/CorePrefsFragment.java b/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/settings/CorePrefsFragment.java
index 7b7cebb82..e31627df5 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/settings/CorePrefsFragment.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/settings/CorePrefsFragment.java
@@ -292,21 +292,30 @@ public abstract class CorePrefsFragment extends PreferenceFragmentCompat impleme
       findPreference(PREF_STORAGE).setTitle(getString(R.string.internal_storage));
       sharedPreferenceUtil.putStoragePosition(INTERNAL_SELECT_POSITION);
     } else {
-      if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
-        @SuppressLint("InflateParams") View view = LayoutInflater.from(getActivity()).inflate(R.layout.select_folder_dialog, null);
-        alertDialogShower.show(new KiwixDialog.SelectFolder(() -> view), () -> {
-          selectFolder();
-          return Unit.INSTANCE;
-        });
+      if (sharedPreferenceUtil.isPlayStoreBuild()) {
+        setExternalStoragePath(storageDevice);
       } else {
-        sharedPreferenceUtil.putPrefStorage(storageDevice.getName());
-        findPreference(PREF_STORAGE).setTitle(getString(R.string.external_storage));
-        sharedPreferenceUtil.putStoragePosition(EXTERNAL_SELECT_POSITION);
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
+          @SuppressLint("InflateParams") View view =
+            LayoutInflater.from(getActivity()).inflate(R.layout.select_folder_dialog, null);
+          alertDialogShower.show(new KiwixDialog.SelectFolder(() -> view), () -> {
+            selectFolder();
+            return Unit.INSTANCE;
+          });
+        } else {
+          setExternalStoragePath(storageDevice);
+        }
       }
     }
     return Unit.INSTANCE;
   }
 
+  private void setExternalStoragePath(StorageDevice storageDevice) {
+    sharedPreferenceUtil.putPrefStorage(storageDevice.getName());
+    findPreference(PREF_STORAGE).setTitle(getString(R.string.external_storage));
+    sharedPreferenceUtil.putStoragePosition(EXTERNAL_SELECT_POSITION);
+  }
+
   private void selectFolder() {
     Intent intent = new Intent(ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);
     intent.addFlags(
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/utils/SharedPreferenceUtil.kt b/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/utils/SharedPreferenceUtil.kt
index b7d0b67db..2bc9badf9 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/utils/SharedPreferenceUtil.kt
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/utils/SharedPreferenceUtil.kt
@@ -70,6 +70,9 @@ class SharedPreferenceUtil @Inject constructor(val context: Context) {
   val prefExternalLinkPopup: Boolean
     get() = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(PREF_EXTERNAL_LINK_POPUP, true)
 
+  val isPlayStoreBuild: Boolean
+    get() = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(IS_PLAY_STORE_BUILD, false)
+
   val prefLanguage: String
     get() = sharedPreferences.getString(PREF_LANG, "") ?: Locale.ROOT.toString()
 
@@ -121,6 +124,10 @@ class SharedPreferenceUtil @Inject constructor(val context: Context) {
     sharedPreferences.edit { putInt(STORAGE_POSITION, pos) }
   }
 
+  fun setIsPlayStoreBuildType(isPlayStoreBuildType: Boolean) {
+    sharedPreferences.edit { putBoolean(IS_PLAY_STORE_BUILD, isPlayStoreBuildType) }
+  }
+
   fun putPrefFullScreen(fullScreen: Boolean) =
     sharedPreferences.edit { putBoolean(PREF_FULLSCREEN, fullScreen) }
 
@@ -174,7 +181,10 @@ class SharedPreferenceUtil @Inject constructor(val context: Context) {
     }
 
   fun getPublicDirectoryPath(path: String): String =
-    path.substringBefore(context.getString(R.string.android_directory_seperator))
+    if (isPlayStoreBuild)
+      path
+    else
+      path.substringBefore(context.getString(R.string.android_directory_seperator))
 
   companion object {
     // Prefs
@@ -197,5 +207,6 @@ class SharedPreferenceUtil @Inject constructor(val context: Context) {
     private const val TEXT_ZOOM = "true_text_zoom"
     private const val DEFAULT_ZOOM = 100
     private const val PREF_MANAGE_EXTERNAL_FILES = "pref_manage_external_files"
+    private const val IS_PLAY_STORE_BUILD = "is_play_store_build"
   }
 }