Description: The permission ‘Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE’ is a declaration in the Android operating system that allows applications to access and read data stored on the device’s external storage. This permission is crucial for applications that need to interact with multimedia files, documents, and other types of data that users may have stored on their devices. By requesting this permission, applications can access directories such as the SD card or unrestricted internal storage, enabling functionalities like viewing images, playing music, or managing files. However, due to privacy and security concerns, Android has implemented a stricter permission model since version 6.0 (Marshmallow), where users must grant permissions explicitly at runtime, rather than just at installation. This means developers must carefully handle permission requests and provide a clear justification to users for why access to their external storage is needed.
History: The ‘READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE’ permission was introduced in Android 4.4 (KitKat) as part of a set of permissions that allow applications to interact with external storage. Over time, especially starting with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), it became necessary for applications to request permissions at runtime, marking a significant change in how applications manage access to sensitive user data. This evolution was driven by growing concerns about privacy and data security on mobile devices.
Uses: This permission is primarily used in applications that require access to multimedia files, such as photo galleries, music players, and file management applications. It is also common in applications that allow users to upload or share content from their external storage, such as social media or messaging apps.
Examples: A practical example of using ‘READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE’ is a photo gallery application that needs to access images stored on the user’s SD card to display them. Another example is a music player that requires this permission to access songs stored on the device and allow playback.
