Camera access in Android Kotlin

Introduction

We use camera access to take pictures or record videos inside an app. It lets users capture moments without leaving the app.

When building a photo app to take pictures.

When adding a feature to scan QR codes or barcodes.

When creating a video chat or video recording app.

When allowing users to upload images directly from the camera.

When making an app that needs to capture documents or receipts.

Syntax

Android Kotlin

val cameraIntent = Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE)
startActivityForResult(cameraIntent, REQUEST_IMAGE_CAPTURE)

This code opens the camera app to take a picture.

REQUEST_IMAGE_CAPTURE is a number you choose to identify the result later.

Examples

Starts the camera to take a photo with request code 1.

Android Kotlin

val cameraIntent = Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE)
startActivityForResult(cameraIntent, 1)

Handles the photo taken and shows it in an ImageView.

Android Kotlin

override fun onActivityResult(requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, data: Intent?) {
  super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data)
  if (requestCode == 1 && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
    val imageBitmap = data?.extras?.get("data") as Bitmap
    imageView.setImageBitmap(imageBitmap)
  }
}

Sample App

This app shows a button labeled "Take Photo". When you tap it, the camera opens. After taking a picture, the photo appears below the button.

Android Kotlin

import android.app.Activity
import android.content.Intent
import android.graphics.Bitmap
import android.os.Bundle
import android.provider.MediaStore
import android.widget.Button
import android.widget.ImageView

class MainActivity : Activity() {
  private val REQUEST_IMAGE_CAPTURE = 1
  private lateinit var imageView: ImageView

  override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
    imageView = ImageView(this)
    val button = Button(this).apply { text = "Take Photo" }
    button.setOnClickListener {
      val cameraIntent = Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE)
      startActivityForResult(cameraIntent, REQUEST_IMAGE_CAPTURE)
    }
    val layout = android.widget.LinearLayout(this).apply {
      orientation = android.widget.LinearLayout.VERTICAL
      addView(button)
      addView(imageView)
    }
    setContentView(layout)
  }

  override fun onActivityResult(requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, data: Intent?) {
    super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data)
    if (requestCode == REQUEST_IMAGE_CAPTURE && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
      val imageBitmap = data?.extras?.get("data") as Bitmap
      imageView.setImageBitmap(imageBitmap)
    }
  }
}

Important Notes

Remember to add android.permission.CAMERA in your AndroidManifest.xml.

From Android 6.0+, you must ask for camera permission at runtime.

Using startActivityForResult is now deprecated; consider using registerForActivityResult in newer apps.

Summary

Camera access lets your app take photos or videos.

Use an Intent with MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE to open the camera.

Handle the result to get the photo and show it in your app.