Remove WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions from Android Project

Issue

I removed the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions from the project's AndroidMainfest.xml and AssemblyInfo.cs files.

I uploaded the .apk to Play Store and in the Bundle permissions the Write & Read permissions were showing up.

Then I analyzed the .apk using Analyze APK feature in Android Studio, and in that, AndroidMainfest.xml has WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE.

Though, I ask for CrossPermissions.Current.CheckPermissionStatusAsync(Permission.Storage) on run time, but when I removed it and Analyzed the APK, still it includes WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions in Manifest file.

I then add the android:requiredFeature="false" flag to Write & Read permissions like this:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" android:requiredFeature="false" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" android:requiredFeature="false" />

And when I Analyzed the APK again, Write & Read permissions are there with android:requiredFeature="false". But on Play Store, in the Bundle permissions they are there as before.

I don't know why these permissions are ending up there?

Solution

@Sergey Comment: They can be merged from the dependent library. You can check if any library you are using have those permissions in their Manifest file.

I looked into it and found this article How Libraries can silently add permissions to your Android App and the Fix. It Worked.

But I'm using camera, and I was storing these pictures in the Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData). Which requires WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions.

So, I replace the path with FileSystem.CacheDirectory and it worked (Intenral Storage doesn't requires Read and Write Permissions in Manifest file).

Answered By - Karamazov