Welcome to our guide on utilizing the Grant library to simplify Android permission requests. Navigating permissions in Android can be challenging, but with Grant, you’ll streamline the process and keep your code clean and efficient. Let’s dive in!

What Can Grant Do?

• Request multiple permissions in a single method call.
• Provide callbacks to handle granted or denied permissions.
• Simplify your code by managing permission logic without cluttering your primary application flow.

Why is This Library Needed?

The Android permissions model has undergone significant changes, especially since Android Marshmallow. Now, you can’t assume that permissions declared in your AndroidManifest file will automatically be granted at runtime. The user has the authority to manage these permissions, and denial can happen at any stage of app use.

For instance, suppose you want to write a string to external storage. Normally, you would check for the relevant permission, then handle the request and callback separately. This generates a lot of nested code and conditions that can make your logic convoluted. Let’s break this down using a simple analogy:

If managing Android permissions were like asking your friends to borrow their bikes, it would involve checking if they’re willing to lend them right before you ride. In this chaotic situation, you might end up wasting time asking multiple friends (permissions) at once, only to get tangled in their responses (callbacks), thus complicating a simple bike ride (application logic).

How to Use Grant

The Main Classes

• PermissionsManager: A singleton that centralizes permission requests and handling.
• PermissionsResultAction: A callback to execute your code based on whether the permissions are granted or denied.

The How-To

To implement Grant, include a reference to your Activity and notify the PermissionsManager of callback results by adding the following line to the onRequestPermissionsResult method:

@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode,
                                       @NonNull String[] permissions,
                                       @NonNull int[] grantResults) {
    PermissionsManager.getInstance().notifyPermissionsChange(permissions, grantResults);
}

This line ensures that your app receives updates on permission changes and can execute necessary actions efficiently.

General Use Case

When needing a permission in your code, instead of using convoluted checks, simply wrap your logic in an anonymous class and forward it to the PermissionsManager:

PermissionsManager.getInstance().requestPermissionsIfNecessaryForResult(this,
    new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, new PermissionsResultAction() {
        @Override
        public void onGranted() {
            writeToStorage();
        }

        @Override
        public void onDenied(String permission) {
            Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Sorry, we need the Storage Permission to do that", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
});

That’s it! You’ve beautifully simplified permission checks.

Global Use Case

Suppose you want to request multiple permissions upfront (not the best UX, but it has its cases). Use the following method:

PermissionsManager.getInstance().requestAllManifestPermissionsIfNecessary(this,
    new PermissionsResultAction() {
        @Override
        public void onGranted() {
            // Proceed with initialization
        }

        @Override
        public void onDenied(String permission) {
            // Notify the user that you need all of the permissions
        }
});

However, remember to still check permissions preemptively, as users can revoke them in device settings.

Troubleshooting

• If you encounter a situation where permissions are not working as expected, ensure that you’ve implemented the necessary override for onRequestPermissionsResult correctly.
• Make sure you’ve added the correct permissions in your AndroidManifest.xml.
• For enhanced support, check the sample application to see how the library is utilized effectively.
• For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

With Grant, you can now navigate Android permissions effortlessly, making your application development cleaner and more manageable. At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.