.NET MAUI Permissions Checklist

Here’s a permissions checklist per platform so you know exactly what to declare in manifests before coding with runtime permissions in .NET MAUI:

📱 Android

Manifest (AndroidManifest.xml) → Add required permissions:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CONTACTS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
    

Runtime Request → Use Permissions.RequestAsync<T>() in code.

Notes

• Android 6.0+ requires runtime permission prompts.
• Grouped permissions (e.g., location) may require multiple checks.

🍎 iOS / macOS (Catalyst)

Info.plist → Add usage descriptions (human-readable messages shown to users):

<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>We need your location to show nearby stores.</string>

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>We need camera access to take profile pictures.</string>

<key>NSContactsUsageDescription</key>
<string>We need contacts access to invite friends.</string>
    

Notes

• iOS will crash if you call a sensitive API without a usage description.
• Messages must clearly explain why the app needs access.

🖥 Windows

Package.appxmanifest → Declare capabilities:

<Capabilities>
  <Capability Name="internetClient" />
  <DeviceCapability Name="location" />
  <DeviceCapability Name="microphone" />
  <DeviceCapability Name="webcam" />
</Capabilities>
    

Notes

• Windows prompts users when apps request sensitive capabilities.
• Capabilities must be declared or APIs may fail silently.

📊 Summary Table

Feature	Android Manifest Permission	iOS/macOS Info.plist Key	Windows Capability
Location	ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION	NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription	location
Camera	CAMERA	NSCameraUsageDescription	webcam
Microphone	RECORD_AUDIO	NSMicrophoneUsageDescription	microphone
Contacts	READ_CONTACTS	NSContactsUsageDescription	N/A
Storage / Photos	READ / WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE	NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription	N/A

💡 Best Practices

• Always declare permissions in manifests first.
• Use runtime checks (Permissions.CheckStatusAsync) before calling APIs.
• Provide clear, user-friendly explanations in iOS/macOS Info.plist.
• Handle denied permissions gracefully (disable feature or show fallback).

.NET MAUI PermissionsHelper

A PermissionsHelper class that abstracts away the boilerplate logic so you can request and check permissions in a clean, reusable way across your .NET MAUI app.

🧩 PermissionsHelper Class

using Microsoft.Maui.ApplicationModel;
using Microsoft.Maui.Devices.Sensors;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

public static class PermissionsHelper
{
    public static async Task<bool> RequestLocationAsync()
    {
        var status = await Permissions.CheckStatusAsync<Permissions.LocationWhenInUse>();
        if (status != PermissionStatus.Granted)
        {
            status = await Permissions.RequestAsync<Permissions.LocationWhenInUse>();
        }
        return status == PermissionStatus.Granted;
    }

    public static async Task<bool> RequestCameraAsync()
    {
        var status = await Permissions.CheckStatusAsync<Permissions.Camera>();
        if (status != PermissionStatus.Granted)
        {
            status = await Permissions.RequestAsync<Permissions.Camera>();
        }
        return status == PermissionStatus.Granted;
    }

    public static async Task<bool> RequestMicrophoneAsync()
    {
        var status = await Permissions.CheckStatusAsync<Permissions.Microphone>();
        if (status != PermissionStatus.Granted)
        {
            status = await Permissions.RequestAsync<Permissions.Microphone>();
        }
        return status == PermissionStatus.Granted;
    }

    public static async Task<bool> RequestContactsAsync()
    {
        var status = await Permissions.CheckStatusAsync<Permissions.ContactsRead>();
        if (status != PermissionStatus.Granted)
        {
            status = await Permissions.RequestAsync<Permissions.ContactsRead>();
        }
        return status == PermissionStatus.Granted;
    }

    public static async Task<bool> RequestStorageAsync()
    {
        var status = await Permissions.CheckStatusAsync<Permissions.StorageRead>();
        if (status != PermissionStatus.Granted)
        {
            status = await Permissions.RequestAsync<Permissions.StorageRead>();
        }
        return status == PermissionStatus.Granted;
    }
}
    

📌 Usage Example

if (await PermissionsHelper.RequestLocationAsync())
{
    var location = await Geolocation.GetLocationAsync();
    Console.WriteLine($"Lat: {location.Latitude}, Lon: {location.Longitude}");
}
else
{
    Console.WriteLine("Location permission denied.");
}
    

💡 Benefits

• Centralized logic → All permission checks live in one place.
• Reusable → Call PermissionsHelper.RequestXAsync() from anywhere.
• Clean code → Avoid repeating CheckStatusAsync + RequestAsync everywhere.
• Extensible → Add more permissions as needed.