Required permissions
AMRAudioRecorder requires two permissions to function properly:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
AndroidManifest.xml file.
Permission details
RECORD_AUDIO
- Required for: Accessing the device microphone
- Permission type: Dangerous (requires runtime request on Android 6.0+)
- Permission group: Microphone
WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
- Required for: Saving audio files to external storage
- Permission type: Dangerous (requires runtime request on Android 6.0+)
- Permission group: Storage
- Note: Not required if using app-specific external storage on Android 4.4+
If you use getExternalFilesDir() for your recording directory, you don’t need the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission on Android 4.4 and above.
Request permissions at runtime
For Android 6.0 (API 23) and above, you must request permissions at runtime:
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
private static final int PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE = 100;
private String[] permissionsList = {
Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE,
Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO
};
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
// Check and request permissions on Android 6.0+
if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 23) {
if (!hasPermissions()) {
requestPermissions(permissionsList, PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE);
}
}
}
private boolean hasPermissions() {
for (String permission : permissionsList) {
if (checkSelfPermission(permission) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
return false;
}
}
return true;
}
@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
if (requestCode == PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE) {
boolean allGranted = true;
for (int result : grantResults) {
if (result != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
allGranted = false;
break;
}
}
if (allGranted) {
// Permissions granted, ready to record
} else {
// Permissions denied, show explanation
Toast.makeText(this, "Permissions required for recording", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
}
}
}
Permission dialog with explanation
The example app shows a custom permission dialog:
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
private String[] permissionsList = {
Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE,
Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO
};
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
Context context = getApplicationContext();
if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 23) {
if (!PermissionUtils.IsPermissionsEnabled(context, permissionsList)) {
PermissionsDialogue.Builder alertPermissions = new PermissionsDialogue.Builder(this)
.setMessage("AMRAudioRecorder records audio and requires the following permissions: ")
.setRequireStorage(PermissionsDialogue.REQUIRED)
.setRequireAudio(PermissionsDialogue.REQUIRED)
.setOnContinueClicked(new PermissionsDialogue.OnContinueClicked() {
@Override
public void OnClick(View view, Dialog dialog) {
dialog.dismiss();
}
})
.setCancelable(false)
.build();
alertPermissions.show();
}
}
}
}
This example uses custom utility classes from the sample app. You can implement similar functionality or use a library like PermissionsDispatcher.
Check permissions before recording
Always verify permissions before starting a recording:
public void startRecording() {
// Check permissions
if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 23) {
if (checkSelfPermission(Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
Toast.makeText(this, "Microphone permission required", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
return;
}
if (checkSelfPermission(Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
Toast.makeText(this, "Storage permission required", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
return;
}
}
// Permissions OK, start recording
String recordingDirectory = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/recordings/";
File dir = new File(recordingDirectory);
if (!dir.exists()) {
dir.mkdirs();
}
recorder = new AMRAudioRecorder(recordingDirectory);
recorder.start();
}
Permission best practices
Request at the right time
Request permissions when the user tries to record, not immediately on app launch. This provides better context.
Explain why you need them
Show a clear explanation of why your app needs microphone and storage access.
Handle denial gracefully
If permissions are denied, disable recording features and show an explanation of the consequences.
Handle permanent denial
If the user selects “Don’t ask again,” provide a way to open app settings:Intent intent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_APPLICATION_DETAILS_SETTINGS);
Uri uri = Uri.fromParts("package", getPackageName(), null);
intent.setData(uri);
startActivity(intent);
Scoped storage considerations
On Android 10 (API 29) and above, scoped storage affects file access:
Option 1: Use app-specific storage (recommended)
// No permissions needed for app-specific external storage
String recordingDirectory = getExternalFilesDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_MUSIC) + "/";
recorder = new AMRAudioRecorder(recordingDirectory);
Option 3: Request legacy storage (temporary)
Add to your manifest (only works on Android 10):
<application
android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true"
...>
</application>
The requestLegacyExternalStorage flag is ignored on Android 11+. Migrate to scoped storage or app-specific storage.
Complete permission example
Here’s a complete implementation:
public class RecordingActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
private static final int PERMISSION_REQUEST = 100;
private AMRAudioRecorder recorder;
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_recording);
findViewById(R.id.recordButton).setOnClickListener(v -> startRecordingWithPermission());
}
private void startRecordingWithPermission() {
if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 23 && !hasRecordPermission()) {
requestPermissions(new String[]{Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO}, PERMISSION_REQUEST);
} else {
startRecording();
}
}
private boolean hasRecordPermission() {
return checkSelfPermission(Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED;
}
@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
if (requestCode == PERMISSION_REQUEST) {
if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
startRecording();
} else {
new AlertDialog.Builder(this)
.setTitle("Permission Required")
.setMessage("Microphone access is required to record audio.")
.setPositiveButton("OK", null)
.show();
}
}
}
private void startRecording() {
// Use app-specific storage (no storage permission needed)
String recordingDirectory = getExternalFilesDir(null) + "/recordings/";
File dir = new File(recordingDirectory);
if (!dir.exists()) {
dir.mkdirs();
}
recorder = new AMRAudioRecorder(recordingDirectory);
recorder.start();
}
}