Android M Permissions Confused on the usage of shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale function

Navigating the world of app development can feel like traversing a complex maze, especially when dealing with runtime permissions. One particularly thorny issue that often trips up Android developers is understanding and properly implementing the shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() function, introduced with Android M (API level 23). This function is crucial for providing a better user experience when requesting sensitive permissions, but its behavior can be confusing. Many developers grapple with how, when, and why to use it effectively. This article will demystify the purpose and proper usage of shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() in the context of Android M permissions, providing practical examples and best practices to help you build more user-friendly and compliant Android applications. We will cover the nuances of permission handling, educate you on why it’s important to handle it correctly, and guide you in implementing this important feature. Let’s dive in and clarify this often-misunderstood aspect of Android development.

Understanding Android M Permissions and Runtime Requests

Before Android M, permissions were granted during installation. Users had to accept all requested permissions or decline the installation altogether. Android M changed this, introducing runtime permissions, allowing users to grant or deny permissions when the app actually needs them. This provides users with more control over their privacy and what their apps can access. This also means that developers must now explicitly request permissions at runtime and handle cases where the user denies those requests. This change significantly impacted the application development process by changing the user workflow.

The runtime permission model requires developers to check if a permission has already been granted using ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(). If the permission hasn’t been granted, the app must request it using ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(). This function triggers a system dialog that prompts the user to grant or deny the permission. The user’s response is then delivered to the app through the onRequestPermissionsResult() callback method. Understanding this flow is essential for effectively managing permissions in your Android apps. Proper implementation of this process ensures a smooth user experience and minimizes friction when users interact with permission requests.

The ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission, for instance, lets the app access the device’s precise location. If an app needs this to provide location-based services, it must request it at runtime. Consider a navigation app; it must request location permissions to guide the user. If the user denies the request, the app should gracefully handle the denial, perhaps by explaining why location services are necessary for its core functionality. According to Google’s documentation Android permissions overview, “You should only request permissions that are necessary for your app to function.”

The Role of shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale()

The shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() method plays a crucial role in providing context to the user before requesting a permission. It returns true if the system believes that the user needs additional explanation before granting the permission. This is typically the case when the user has previously denied the permission request, but not selected “Don’t ask again.” This functionality differentiates the first-time permission request from subsequent requests after a denial. The correct use of this method can improve user trust and increase the likelihood of them granting necessary permissions.

Here’s a featured snippet-optimized paragraph: The key benefit of shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() is that it allows you to provide a custom explanation to the user before the system permission dialog appears. This explanation can describe why the app needs the permission and what features will be unavailable if the permission is denied. This proactive approach can significantly improve the user experience by making the permission request feel less intrusive and more informative, building trust in your application and increasing the chances that users will grant the necessary permissions.

Why is it important? Because a user is more likely to grant a permission if they understand why it’s needed. If the user denies a permission without understanding its importance, they might develop a negative perception of the app. Showing a rationale provides an opportunity to educate the user and address any concerns they may have. Failure to provide a rationale can lead to user frustration and negative reviews. This rationale is part of the flow where the app handles permission requests.

Implementing shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(): A Step-by-Step Guide

Implementing shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() correctly involves several steps. You need to check if the permission is already granted, determine if you should show a rationale, and then request the permission. Here’s a detailed guide to implementing this process:

1. Check for Permission: Use ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission() to check if the permission is already granted.
2. Request Permission (Conditionally): If the permission is not granted, call ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() to determine if you should display a rationale.
3. Show Rationale (If Necessary): If shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() returns true, display a custom dialog or UI element explaining why the permission is needed.
4. Request Permission: After showing the rationale (or if no rationale is needed), request the permission using ActivityCompat.requestPermissions().
5. Handle Permission Result: Implement the onRequestPermissionsResult() callback to handle the user’s response.

Let’s say your app wants to access the user’s camera. You would first check if the CAMERA permission is already granted. If not, you would call ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(). If the user has previously denied the camera permission, but not checked “Don’t ask again,” this function returns true, indicating that you should show a rationale. You then display a dialog explaining why your app needs camera access (e.g., “to take profile pictures”). After the user acknowledges the rationale, you proceed with the actual permission request. This implementation allows you to follow the best practices for Android M permissions.

A common mistake is neglecting to check the result of shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() and directly requesting the permission without providing context. This can lead to a poor user experience and a higher chance of the user denying the permission. Always prioritize providing a clear and concise explanation before prompting the user with the system permission dialog. According to a study by Pew Research Center An Analysis of App Permissions, users are more likely to trust apps that clearly explain why they need specific permissions.

Best Practices and Common Pitfalls

To effectively manage Android M permissions and leverage shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(), adhere to these best practices:

• Provide Clear Explanations: Clearly and concisely explain why your app needs each permission.
• Request Permissions Contextually: Only request permissions when they are actually needed.
• Handle Denials Gracefully: If the user denies a permission, gracefully degrade the app’s functionality and explain what features are unavailable.

Avoid these common pitfalls when working with runtime permissions:

• Ignoring shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(): Always check if you should show a rationale before requesting a permission.
• Requesting Too Many Permissions at Once: Avoid overwhelming the user with multiple permission requests simultaneously.
• Failing to Handle Permission Denials: Ensure your app functions correctly even if the user denies certain permissions.

Consider an app that requires both camera and microphone permissions. Instead of requesting both permissions at the same time, request the camera permission when the user first tries to take a photo and the microphone permission when they try to record a video. This contextual approach makes the permission requests feel more natural and less intrusive. Furthermore, if the user denies the camera permission, the app should still allow them to browse existing photos from their gallery, demonstrating graceful degradation. This approach helps you with proper **Android M permissions** management.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions About shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale()

**Q: When does `shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale()` return `true`?**

A: It returns `true` if the user has previously denied the permission request, but not selected "Don't ask again."

**Q: What happens if the user selects "Don't ask again"?**

A: If the user selects "Don't ask again," `shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale()` will return `false`, and the system will no longer show the permission dialog. You will need to guide the user to the app's settings page to manually grant the permission.

**Q: Is it mandatory to use `shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale()`?**

A: While not technically mandatory, it's highly recommended to use it to provide a better user experience and increase the likelihood of users granting necessary permissions.

**Q: Can I customize the rationale dialog?**

A: Yes, you have complete control over the content and appearance of the rationale dialog. This allows you to tailor the explanation to your app's specific needs and branding.

Failing to address these common questions can lead to developer confusion and improper implementation of runtime permissions. Ensuring you understand these nuances is crucial for building robust and user-friendly Android applications. Ignoring these FAQs is a common cause of errors in handling **Android M permissions**.

Properly handling runtime permissions, especially with the help of shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(), is vital for creating Android apps that respect user privacy and offer a seamless experience. By providing clear explanations and requesting permissions contextually, you can build trust and increase the likelihood of users granting the necessary permissions. Remember, a well-implemented permission flow not only enhances user satisfaction but also contributes to the overall success of your app. Now, take these insights and apply them to your projects. Consider exploring related topics like Android security best practices OWASP Mobile Top Ten or advanced permission management techniques Android Permissions Overview to further enhance your skills. Question & Answer :
I was going through the official doc about the new Permissions model in Android M. It talks about the shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() function which returns true if the app has requested this permission previously and the user denied the request. If the user turned down the permission request in the past and chose the Don’t ask again option, this method returns false.

But how can we differentiate between the following two cases?

Case 1: The app doesn’t have a permission and the user has not been asked for the permission before. In this case, shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() will return false because this is the first time we’re asking the user.

Case 2: The user has denied the permission and selected “Don’t ask again”, in this case too shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() will return false.

I would want to send the user to the App’s settings page in Case 2. How do i go about differentiating these two cases?

After M Preview 1, if the dialog is displayed for the first time, there is no Never ask again checkbox.

If the user denies the permission request, there will be a Never ask again checkbox in the permission dialog the second time permission is requested.

So the logic should be like this:

1. Request permission:

   if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(context, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) { ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(context, new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, REQUEST_CODE); } else { //Do the stuff that requires permission... } 
   

2. Check if the permission was denied or granted in onRequestPermissionsResult.

   If the permission was denied previously, this time there will be a Never ask again checkbox in the permission dialog.

   Call shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale to see if the user checked Never ask again. shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale method returns false only if the user selected Never ask again or device policy prohibits the app from having that permission:

   if (grantResults.length > 0){ if(grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) { //Do the stuff that requires permission... }else if (grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_DENIED){ // Should we show an explanation? if (ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(context, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)) { //Show permission explanation dialog... }else{ //Never ask again selected, or device policy prohibits the app from having that permission. //So, disable that feature, or fall back to another situation... } } } 
   

So, you won’t have to track if a user checked Never ask again or not.