diff --git a/api/system-current.txt b/api/system-current.txt
index cca933ec2fe4d..e8c56f02fb77f 100644
--- a/api/system-current.txt
+++ b/api/system-current.txt
@@ -201,6 +201,7 @@ package android {
     field public static final java.lang.String READ_SYNC_SETTINGS = "android.permission.READ_SYNC_SETTINGS";
     field public static final java.lang.String READ_SYNC_STATS = "android.permission.READ_SYNC_STATS";
     field public static final java.lang.String READ_VOICEMAIL = "com.android.voicemail.permission.READ_VOICEMAIL";
+    field public static final java.lang.String READ_WALLPAPER_INTERNAL = "android.permission.READ_WALLPAPER_INTERNAL";
     field public static final java.lang.String READ_WIFI_CREDENTIAL = "android.permission.READ_WIFI_CREDENTIAL";
     field public static final java.lang.String REAL_GET_TASKS = "android.permission.REAL_GET_TASKS";
     field public static final java.lang.String REBOOT = "android.permission.REBOOT";
diff --git a/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml b/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml
index f294b98712c62..86c0b436ae299 100644
--- a/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/core/res/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -1984,6 +1984,15 @@
         android:description="@string/permdesc_setWallpaperHints"
         android:protectionLevel="normal" />
 
+    <!-- Allow the app to read the system wallpaper image without
+        holding the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
+        <p>Not for use by third-party applications.
+        @hide
+        @SystemApi
+    -->
+    <permission android:name="android.permission.READ_WALLPAPER_INTERNAL"
+        android:protectionLevel="signature|privileged" />
+
     <!-- ============================================ -->
     <!-- Permissions for changing the system clock -->
     <!-- ============================================ -->
diff --git a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wallpaper/WallpaperManagerService.java b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wallpaper/WallpaperManagerService.java
index 2fad7b1a4a72b..f6f5341ff0a99 100644
--- a/services/core/java/com/android/server/wallpaper/WallpaperManagerService.java
+++ b/services/core/java/com/android/server/wallpaper/WallpaperManagerService.java
@@ -1606,8 +1606,12 @@ public class WallpaperManagerService extends IWallpaperManager.Stub {
     @Override
     public ParcelFileDescriptor getWallpaper(String callingPkg, IWallpaperManagerCallback cb,
             final int which, Bundle outParams, int wallpaperUserId) {
-        enforceCallingOrSelfPermissionAndAppOp(android.Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE,
-                callingPkg, Binder.getCallingUid(), "read wallpaper");
+        final int hasPrivilege = mContext.checkCallingOrSelfPermission(
+                android.Manifest.permission.READ_WALLPAPER_INTERNAL);
+        if (hasPrivilege != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+            enforceCallingOrSelfPermissionAndAppOp(android.Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE,
+                    callingPkg, Binder.getCallingUid(), "read wallpaper");
+        }
 
         wallpaperUserId = ActivityManager.handleIncomingUser(Binder.getCallingPid(),
                 Binder.getCallingUid(), wallpaperUserId, false, true, "getWallpaper", null);