How to Handle App Permissions Securely: Best Practices for Protecting User Trust and Data

📘 Chapter 3: Best Practices for Requesting Permissions

🔍 Overview

Requesting permissions is not just a technical step—it’s a critical UX decision, a security measure, and a compliance requirement. Poorly timed, vague, or excessive permission requests can erode user trust, lower app ratings, and even result in app store rejections.

This chapter covers:

• When and how to request permissions
• How to communicate purpose clearly
• UX design strategies for higher acceptance rates
• Managing denied or revoked permissions
• Ethical and regulatory considerations
• Implementation samples for both Android and iOS

🧠 1. Key Principles of Permission Requesting

✅ Ask Only When Needed

Do not request permissions during app launch unless absolutely necessary. Instead, request permissions contextually—right when the user tries to perform an action requiring that permission.

Why?

• Increases perceived necessity
• Reduces user confusion
• Minimizes unnecessary denials

✅ Explain Why the Permission is Needed

Most permission dialogs (especially on iOS) are system-controlled and allow only limited customization. To mitigate this, use pre-permission prompts to educate the user.

Example (Pre-Prompt UI):

📸 “We use your camera so you can scan receipts instantly. This helps you log expenses faster.”

Then trigger the actual permission dialog.

✅ Be Transparent

• Link to your Privacy Policy in permission modals.
• Let users know how their data will be stored and used.
• Offer opt-outs where possible.

✅ Don’t Stack Requests

Avoid requesting multiple permissions at once. Each should be tied to a user action or interaction.

📲 2. UX Patterns for Permission Requests

🔹 Example UX Flow (Camera Permission)

1. User clicks “Scan QR”
2. App shows:

“To scan QR codes, we need access to your camera. You can revoke this anytime.”

3. Show system dialog
4. On denial, provide alternate flow:

“You can manually enter the code instead.”

🧾 3. Implementation in iOS (SwiftUI + UIKit)

✅ Camera Access with Pre-Prompt

swift

func requestCameraAccess() {

    switch AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus(for: .video) {

    case .authorized:

        // Already granted

    case .notDetermined:

        // Show custom pre-prompt

        AVCaptureDevice.requestAccess(for: .video) { granted in

            if granted {

                // Proceed

            }

        }

    case .denied, .restricted:

        // Show alert with Settings link

    @unknown default:

        break

    }

}

✅ Redirect to Settings

swift

if let settingsURL = URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) {

    UIApplication.shared.open(settingsURL)

}

🧾 4. Implementation in Android (Kotlin)

✅ Permission Request with Explanation Dialog

kotlin

fun requestCameraPermission() {

    if (ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA)) {

        // Show pre-permission dialog

        AlertDialog.Builder(this)

            .setTitle("Camera Access")

            .setMessage("We need your camera to scan documents.")

            .setPositiveButton("Allow") { _, _ ->

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

            }

            .setNegativeButton("Deny", null)

            .show()

    } else {

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

    }

}

🚫 5. Handling Denied or Revoked Permissions

✅ Graceful Denial UX

• Don’t lock users out completely.
• Offer alternative flows or reduced functionality.
• Show permission state in Settings or profile UI.

iOS SwiftUI Example:

swift

switch AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus(for: .video) {

case .denied:

    Text("Camera access denied. Tap here to change settings.")

✅ Detect “Don’t Ask Again” on Android

kotlin

!ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA)

If false after denial, direct users to settings.

📋 6. Common Permission Scenarios and Solutions

🔐 7. Regulatory & Ethical Considerations

• Be clear about data collection and retention
• Store only what’s needed, and for as long as needed
• Explain third-party sharing (e.g., analytics or cloud services)
• Comply with GDPR, CCPA, Apple ATT, and Google Play's Data Safety Section
• Offer a clear opt-out process

📊 Summary Table: Do’s and Don’ts

📌 Conclusion

Requesting permissions should never be treated as a formality—it’s part of your app’s experience, your user’s trust, and your reputation. By asking clearly, respectfully, and at the right moment, you not only improve conversions but also demonstrate responsibility in handling sensitive access.

In the next chapter, we’ll focus on securely storing and managing the data gained through permissions—so you don’t just ask well, but store smart.