How does Runtime permissions work internally in Android SDK?

In Android, runtime permissions are a significant enhancement in how apps can request access to sensitive user data and device features. Introduced in Android 6.0 (API level 23), the permissions model allows users to grant or deny permissions dynamically while the app is running instead of during installation.

The internal workings of runtime permissions involve several key components:

  • Permission Groups: Android organizes permissions into groups, allowing users to grant or deny all permissions in a group at once.
  • Permission Check: Before accessing protected resources, the app checks whether it has been granted the necessary permissions using ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission().
  • Requesting Permissions: If permissions are not granted, the app can request them at runtime using ActivityCompat.requestPermissions().
  • Handling Responses: After a user responds to a permission request, the app handles the response in onRequestPermissionsResult(), where it can check if permission was granted or denied.

Here’s an example of how runtime permissions might be implemented in an Android application:

// Check if the permission is already granted if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) { // Request the permission ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.CAMERA}, MY_PERMISSIONS_REQUEST_CAMERA); } else { // Permission already granted, proceed with your functionality openCamera(); } // Handle the user's response @Override public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) { switch (requestCode) { case MY_PERMISSIONS_REQUEST_CAMERA: if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) { openCamera(); } else { // Permission denied, show a message to the user } break; } }

Android runtime permissions Android SDK permission model dynamic permissions Android handling permissions in Android permissions check Android