Adding a New Android Permission in a Xamarin App

As you know, Android is always adding features in its new versions and now the Post Notifications permission has been introduced from Android 13. In this blog, we are going to explore how to request it in our Xamarin.Android projects.

Sample Project

1. Let’s set Android 13.0 as the Target framework.

Open your project settings by right-clicking on your Android project then then selecting -> Properties -> Application. This is required because this permission is only supported in API versions starting with 33, which means Android version 13 or later.

Next, Select Android Manifest -> Set Target Android version.

2. Let’s add the Post Notification permission on Android Manifest

Go to the Android project then right-click -> Properties -> Android Manifest

3. Let’s install the Xamarin.Essentials NuGet Package

We have to initialize Xamarin.Essentials in our Android project, so let’s add this code in the MainActivity.cs file:

protected override void OnCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
{
    base.OnCreate(savedInstanceState);
    Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.Init(this, savedInstanceState);
    global::Xamarin.Forms.Forms.Init(this, savedInstanceState);
    LoadApplication(new App());
}
public override void OnRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, string[] permissions, [GeneratedEnum] Android.Content.PM.Permission[] grantResults)
{
    Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
    base.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
}

4. Let’s create an Interface in the shared project

For this example, we are going to create the file IPostNotificationPermissionService.cs, and then we’ll implement it in each platform.

Add the following code to the file:

public interface IPostNotificationPermissionService
{
   Task<bool> CheckAndRequestPermissions();
}

5. Let’s implement IPostNotificationPermissionService in the Android project

We need to request the Post Notifications permission and show the prompt, but how do we do that? We added Xamarin.Essentials to allow us to extend permissions. You can see the detailed documentation on permissions in Xamarin.Essentials here.

internal class PostNotificationsPermission : BasePlatformPermission
{
   public override (string androidPermission, bool isRuntime)[] RequiredPermissions =>
       new List<(string androidPermission, bool isRuntime)>
       {
          (Manifest.Permission.PostNotifications, true)
       }.ToArray();
}

Now we can use PostNotificationsPermission to implement our IPostNotificationPermissionService interface.

public class PostNotificationPermissionService : IPostNotificationPermissionService
{
   public async Task<bool> CheckAndRequestPermissions()
   {
      // Tiramisu is Android v13
      if (Build.VERSION.SdkInt >= BuildVersionCodes.Tiramisu)
      {
         var status = await CheckStatusAsync<PostNotificationsPermission>();
         if (status == PermissionStatus.Granted)
         {
            return true;
         }
         status = await RequestAsync<PostNotificationsPermission>();
         return status == PermissionStatus.Granted;
      }
      return true;
   }
}

6. Let’s inject PostNotificationsPermission

We are going to add the Xamarin Dependency Injection.

[assembly: Dependency(typeof(PostNotificationPermissionService))]
namespace NotificationApp.Droid
{
   // Extend Xamarin Essentials
   internal class PostNotificationsPermission : BasePlatformPermission
   {
      // ...
   }

   // Implementing PostNotificationPermission
   public class PostNotificationPermissionService : IPostNotificationPermissionService
   {
      // ...
   }
}

7. Let’s use PostNotificationsPermission

We are going to override the OnAppearing method in the MainPage.xaml.cs

protected override async void OnAppearing()
{
   base.OnAppearing();
   var service = DependencyService.Get<IPostNotificationPermissionService>();
   await service.CheckAndRequestPermissions();
}

8. Let’s run the app

As you can see, that’s all it takes to implement a new Android permission in Xamarin. Easy, right?

All of my code is available on GitHub for you to review. Happy coding!

References

Related Blog Posts

We hope you’ve found this to be helpful and are walking away with some new, useful insights. If you want to learn more, here are a couple of related articles that others also usually find to be interesting:

Our Gear Is Packed and We're Excited to Explore With You

Ready to come with us? 

Together, we can map your company’s software journey and start down the right trails. If you’re set to take the first step, simply fill out our contact form. We’ll be in touch quickly – and you’ll have a partner who is ready to help your company take the next step on its software journey. 

We can’t wait to hear from you! 

Main Contact

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Together, we can map your company’s tech journey and start down the trails. If you’re set to take the first step, simply fill out the form below. We’ll be in touch – and you’ll have a partner who cares about you and your company. 

We can’t wait to hear from you! 

Montage Portal

Montage Furniture Services provides furniture protection plans and claims processing services to a wide selection of furniture retailers and consumers.

Project Background

Montage was looking to build a new web portal for both Retailers and Consumers, which would integrate with Dynamics CRM and other legacy systems. The portal needed to be multi tenant and support branding and configuration for different Retailers. Trailhead architected the new Montage Platform, including the Portal and all of it’s back end integrations, did the UI/UX and then delivered the new system, along with enhancements to DevOps and processes.

Logistics

We’ve logged countless miles exploring the tech world. In doing so, we gained the experience that enables us to deliver your unique software and systems architecture needs. Our team of seasoned tech vets can provide you with:

Custom App and Software Development

We collaborate with you throughout the entire process because your customized tech should fit your needs, not just those of other clients.

Cloud and Mobile Applications

The modern world demands versatile technology, and this is exactly what your mobile and cloud-based apps will give you.

User Experience and Interface (UX/UI) Design

We want your end users to have optimal experiences with tech that is highly intuitive and responsive.

DevOps

This combination of Agile software development and IT operations provides you with high-quality software at reduced cost, time, and risk.

Trailhead stepped into a challenging project – building our new web architecture and redeveloping our portals at the same time the business was migrating from a legacy system to our new CRM solution. They were able to not only significantly improve our web development architecture but our development and deployment processes as well as the functionality and performance of our portals. The feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Trailhead has proven themselves to be a valuable partner.

– BOB DOERKSEN, Vice President of Technology Services
at Montage Furniture Services

Technologies Used

When you hit the trails, it is essential to bring appropriate gear. The same holds true for your digital technology needs. That’s why Trailhead builds custom solutions on trusted platforms like .NET, Angular, React, and Xamarin.

Expertise

We partner with businesses who need intuitive custom software, responsive mobile applications, and advanced cloud technologies. And our extensive experience in the tech field allows us to help you map out the right path for all your digital technology needs.

  • Project Management
  • Architecture
  • Web App Development
  • Cloud Development
  • DevOps
  • Process Improvements
  • Legacy System Integration
  • UI Design
  • Manual QA
  • Back end/API/Database development

We partner with businesses who need intuitive custom software, responsive mobile applications, and advanced cloud technologies. And our extensive experience in the tech field allows us to help you map out the right path for all your digital technology needs.

Our Gear Is Packed and We're Excited to Explore with You

Ready to come with us? 

Together, we can map your company’s tech journey and start down the trails. If you’re set to take the first step, simply fill out the contact form. We’ll be in touch – and you’ll have a partner who cares about you and your company. 

We can’t wait to hear from you! 

Thank you for reaching out.

You’ll be getting an email from our team shortly. If you need immediate assistance, please call (616) 371-1037.