How Android 15 Changes App Permission Strategy for Developers       

TL;DR – Android 15 App Permission Strategy Changes

• Foreground services now require specific declared types and permissions to run.
  
• Scoped media access is enforced with granular permissions for images, videos, and audio.
  
• Background location access must follow a stricter, multi-step permission flow.
  
• Sideloaded apps face new limitations on sensitive permissions like Accessibility and Device Admin.
  
• URI access now triggers stricter runtime checks—handle permissions and exceptions carefully.

Introduction

Android 15 is a privacy-heavy release. These Android 15 permission changes aim to stop permission misuse by tightening how apps access location, media, content URIs, and system overlays — especially if they are sideloaded or operate in the background. As a mobile app development company, Creole Studios helps clients navigate these evolving standards to ensure their apps remain functional, compliant, and trustworthy to users.

This post will help you understand and apply these changes so your app remains functional, compliant, and trustworthy to users.

Key Android 15 Permission Updates Developers Must Know

To help developers stay compliant and maintain a smooth user experience, Android 15 introduces several targeted changes across foreground services, media access, location handling, background operations, and sideloading behavior. Below, we’ve broken down each update with examples, permission declarations, and best practices — so you can adapt your app development strategy with confidence.

Foreground Service Changes (Major Update)

Foreground services are now more strictly controlled. Apps must declare the exact type of service and request corresponding permissions.

Required Foreground Service Permissions:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CAMERA" />

 Foreground Service Declaration:

<service
    android:name=".UploadService"
    android:foregroundServiceType="dataSync"
    android:exported="false" />

New Restriction: If your app uses SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW, you can only start a foreground service when there’s a visible overlay. This prevents abuse by invisible background overlays.

Granular Media Access Permissions

To protect user content, Android 15 continues the move toward scoped access for images, video, and audio.

Media Permissions:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_MEDIA_AUDIO" />

Use the Photo Picker API to streamline the permission flow and reduce friction.

Location Permission Tightening

Apps must follow a stricter flow for accessing background location.

Location Permissions:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION" />

You must first request foreground location, then provide justification for background access. Users must also manually enable background access in settings.

Expanded Content URI Permission Checks

Android 15 adds stricter runtime checks when accessing content:// URIs shared by other apps.

These checks ensure your app has proper read/write permission before accessing sensitive or private content, or it will receive a SecurityException.

Always validate URI permissions using

ContentResolver.checkUriPermission() 

or handle FileNotFoundException gracefully.

No manifest changes are required, but proper runtime permission checks are now critical when handling shared URIs.

Stricter Background Activity Launch Limits

Apps can no longer launch activities from the background unless:

• The system has approved the use case, or
  
• It directly follows a user interaction (e.g., notification tap)

This aligns with Android 15 permission changes to reduce surprise disruptions and protect user focus.

Exported Components & Intent Security

Apps must now explicitly declare exported status for any component with intent filters.

Exported Component Example:

<activity
    android:name=".MyActivity"
    android:exported="true">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
    </intent-filter>
</activity>

Neglecting to set android:exported will cause your app to fail installation on Android 15+.

Sideloaded App Restrictions

Google is tightening how sideloaded apps behave on Android 15 — especially when requesting sensitive permissions.

Key Impacts:

• Apps installed via sideloading can no longer easily request powerful permissions like:
  
  • Accessibility Services
    
  • Notification Listeners
    
  • Device Admin access
    
• These permissions will require additional user confirmations, and some may be blocked outright unless installed through trusted channels.

You can no longer rely on sideloaded installation for elevated access — distribute through the Play Store or follow official enterprise deployment processes.

Enhanced Sideloading Confirmation Mode

This feature adds friction during sideloading to limit capabilities of potentially malicious apps. It reinforces Google’s effort to shift power back to the user, especially on devices shared by multiple users or children.

No manifest changes required — but developers relying on sideload installs should rethink permission workflows.

Auto-Revoked Permissions: Now More Powerful

Apps unused for a few months may lose access to sensitive permissions, like:

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

Apps should detect this scenario and re-request permissions gracefully using shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() and clear in-app prompts.

Best Practices for Android 15 Compatibility

To keep up with Android 15 permission changes:

• Target API Level 35 in your Gradle config.
  
• Use Photo Picker for media access.
  
• Shift to WorkManager for long-running background tasks.
  
• Declare only the permissions your app truly needs.
  
• Handle auto-revoked permissions with robust error handling.
  
• Respect new restrictions on sideloaded app permissions and overlays.

Conclusion

Android 15 permission changes reflect a major step toward greater user control and reduced system abuse. From foreground service limits and scoped media access to stricter URI handling and sideloading restrictions, every developer must take these updates seriously. At Creole Studios, a forward-thinking mobile app development company, we ensure our clients’ apps are not only compliant with Android 15 but also optimized for long-term trust and Play Store readiness. Early adoption isn’t just recommended—it’s essential for a seamless, secure user experience.

Mobile

Kalpesh Chavda

Software Engineer