Permission request flow in Android Kotlin

Introduction

Apps need permission to access sensitive features like camera or location. This flow helps ask users for permission politely.

When your app needs to use the camera to take pictures.

When your app wants to access the user's location for maps.

When your app needs to read contacts or files.

When you want to respect user privacy and follow Android rules.

Syntax

Android Kotlin

if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.PERMISSION_NAME) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
    ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.PERMISSION_NAME), REQUEST_CODE)
} else {
    // Permission already granted
}

Replace PERMISSION_NAME with the actual permission like CAMERA or ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION.

REQUEST_CODE is a number you choose to identify this permission request.

Examples

This checks if camera permission is granted. If not, it asks the user.

Android Kotlin

if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
    ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA), 100)
} else {
    // Camera permission already granted
}

This handles the user's answer to the permission request.

Android Kotlin

override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
    super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults)
    if (requestCode == 100) {
        if ((grantResults.isNotEmpty() && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED)) {
            // Permission granted, proceed
        } else {
            // Permission denied, show message
        }
    }
}

Sample App

This app checks if the camera permission is granted when it starts. If not, it asks the user. It shows a small message depending on the user's choice.

Android Kotlin

import android.Manifest
import android.content.pm.PackageManager
import android.os.Bundle
import android.widget.Toast
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity
import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
    private val CAMERA_REQUEST_CODE = 100

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        checkCameraPermission()
    }

    private fun checkCameraPermission() {
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA), CAMERA_REQUEST_CODE)
        } else {
            Toast.makeText(this, "Camera permission already granted", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
        }
    }

    override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
        super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults)
        if (requestCode == CAMERA_REQUEST_CODE) {
            if (grantResults.isNotEmpty() && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                Toast.makeText(this, "Camera permission granted", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
            } else {
                Toast.makeText(this, "Camera permission denied", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
            }
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

Always explain why you need the permission before asking.

Users can deny permission permanently; handle that case gracefully.

Test on devices with different Android versions because permission behavior can vary.

Summary

Check if permission is already granted before asking.

Request permission using ActivityCompat.requestPermissions.

Handle user response in onRequestPermissionsResult.

Practice

1. What is the first step before requesting a dangerous permission in Android Kotlin?

easy

A. Restart the app

B. Directly call requestPermissions without checking

C. Show a Toast message to the user

D. Check if the permission is already granted

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand permission checking

   Before asking for permission, the app must check if it already has it to avoid unnecessary requests.

2. Step 2: Use ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission

   This method returns if the permission is granted or denied, guiding the next action.

3. Final Answer:

   Check if the permission is already granted -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Check permission first = A [OK]

Hint: Always check permission status before requesting [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Requesting permission without checking first
• Assuming permission is granted by default
• Ignoring permission status before action

2. Which Kotlin code snippet correctly requests a permission from an Activity?

easy

A. ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA), 100)

B. requestPermissions(Manifest.permission.CAMERA, 100)

C. Activity.requestPermissions(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA, 100)

D. requestPermission(Manifest.permission.CAMERA)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct method signature

   ActivityCompat.requestPermissions requires context, array of permissions, and request code.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA), 100) matches the correct syntax with 'this' as context and arrayOf for permissions.

3. Final Answer:

   ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA), 100) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct requestPermissions syntax = D [OK]

Hint: Use ActivityCompat.requestPermissions with arrayOf permissions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing single permission string instead of array
• Using wrong method name or class
• Missing context parameter

3. Given this code snippet inside an Activity:

override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
  super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults)
  if (requestCode == 101 && grantResults.isNotEmpty() && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
    println("Permission granted")
  } else {
    println("Permission denied")
  }
}

What will be printed if the user denies the permission?

medium

A. Permission denied

B. Permission granted

C. No output

D. App crashes

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze grantResults array

   If the user denies permission, grantResults[0] will not equal PERMISSION_GRANTED.

2. Step 2: Follow conditional logic

   The else branch executes, printing "Permission denied".

3. Final Answer:

   Permission denied -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   User denies permission = "Permission denied" [OK]

Hint: Denied permission triggers else branch in onRequestPermissionsResult [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming grantResults[0] is always granted
• Not checking if grantResults is empty
• Ignoring requestCode check

4. What is wrong with this permission request code snippet?

ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, 200)

medium

A. Request code 200 is invalid

B. Missing arrayOf() around permission string

C. Should use ContextCompat instead of ActivityCompat

D. No need to request ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission

Solution

1. Step 1: Check method parameters

   requestPermissions expects an array of permissions, not a single string.

2. Step 2: Identify correct usage

   Permission string must be wrapped in arrayOf() to form an array.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing arrayOf() around permission string -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Permissions must be in arrayOf() [OK]

Hint: Wrap permissions in arrayOf() when requesting [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing single permission string instead of array
• Confusing ContextCompat with ActivityCompat
• Using invalid request codes

5. You want to request both CAMERA and LOCATION permissions at once. Which code correctly handles the request and checks the result in Kotlin?

hard

A. requestPermissions(arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION), 300)
override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
println("Permissions handled")
}

B. ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA), 300)
override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
if (requestCode == 300 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
println("All permissions granted")
} else {
println("Some permissions denied")
}
}

C. ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION), 300)
override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
if (requestCode == 300 && grantResults.all { it == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED }) {
println("All permissions granted")
} else {
println("Some permissions denied")
}
}

D. ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.CAMERA, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION), 300)
override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
if (requestCode == 300 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
println("All permissions granted")
} else {
println("Some permissions denied")
}
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Request multiple permissions correctly

   Use arrayOf with both permissions and a unique request code.

2. Step 2: Check all permissions granted in onRequestPermissionsResult

   Use grantResults.all { it == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED } to verify all permissions.

3. Final Answer:

   Request both permissions and check all granted with grantResults.all -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Multiple permissions need all granted check [OK]

Hint: Check all grantResults for multiple permissions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Checking only first permission result
• Not using arrayOf for multiple permissions
• Ignoring requestCode in result handler