Android Permissions Handling Runtime Permissions Complete Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to Handling Runtime Permissions in Android

1. Add Permissions to AndroidManifest.xml

Firstly, you need to declare any permissions your app needs in the AndroidManifest.xml file. For example, if your app requires camera access and location services, you should declare them like this:

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.example.yourapp">

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>

    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
        android:supportsRtl="true"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
        <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/>

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
    </application>
</manifest>

2. Check for Required Permissions

In your activity, check if the permission your app needs has already been granted. If not, request the permission.

import android.Manifest;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import android.os.Bundle;
import androidx.annotation.NonNull;
import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat;
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    private static final int REQUEST_CAMERA_PERMISSION = 200;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

        // Check if the Camera permission has been granted
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA)
                != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            // Permission is not granted
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,
                    new String[]{Manifest.permission.CAMERA},
                    REQUEST_CAMERA_PERMISSION);
        } else {
            // Permission has already been granted
            useCamera();
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, @NonNull String[] permissions, @NonNull int[] grantResults) {
        super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
        if (requestCode == REQUEST_CAMERA_PERMISSION) {
            if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                // Permission was granted
                useCamera();
            } else {
                // Permission denied
                // You can display a rationale message or take other appropriate action
            }
        }
    }

    private void useCamera() {
        // Code to use the camera
        // Example: Initialize a camera preview or start capturing a photo
    }
}

3. Handle Permission Request Results

You need to handle the result of the permission request in the onRequestPermissionsResult method. Here, you can decide whether to proceed with using the permission or not.

@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, @NonNull String[] permissions, @NonNull int[] grantResults) {
    super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
    if (requestCode == REQUEST_CAMERA_PERMISSION) {
        if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            // Permission was granted
            useCamera();
        } else {
            // Permission denied
            // You can display a rationale message or take other appropriate action
            if (ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA)) {
                // Show an explanation to the user *asynchronously* -- don't block
                // this thread waiting for the user's response! After the user
                // sees the explanation, try again to request the permission.
                showRationaleForCameraPermission();
            } else {
                // No explanation needed; proceed with requesting the permission
                ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,
                        new String[]{Manifest.permission.CAMERA},
                        REQUEST_CAMERA_PERMISSION);
            }
        }
    }
}

private void useCamera() {
    // Code to use the camera
}

private void showRationaleForCameraPermission() {
    // Inform user why the permission is required e.g., alert dialog
}

4. Explain Why Permissions Are Needed (Optional but Recommended)

It’s a good practice to explain to users why your app needs a certain permission before asking for it. This increases the likelihood that they will grant it.

private void showRationaleForCameraPermission() {
    AlertDialog.Builder builder = new AlertDialog.Builder(this);
    builder.setTitle("Camera Permission Required");
    builder.setMessage("This application needs camera access to capture photos.");
    builder.setPositiveButton("OK", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
        @Override
        public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(MainActivity.this,
                    new String[]{Manifest.permission.CAMERA},
                    REQUEST_CAMERA_PERMISSION);
        }
    });
    builder.setNeutralButton("Cancel", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
        @Override
        public void onClick(DialogInterface dialogInterface, int i) {
            dialogInterface.dismiss();
        }
    });
    builder.show();
}

Complete Example - Using Camera Permission

Here is a complete example for requesting camera permission at runtime:

AndroidManifest.xml