Location Permission Handling

Overview

The Kount Android SDK collects device location data to enhance fraud detection accuracy. Starting with Android 6.0 (API level 23), apps must request runtime permissions to access location data. This guide shows you how to properly implement location permission handling.

Why Location Permissions Matter

Location data helps Kount’s fraud detection system by:

Identifying suspicious geographic patterns
Detecting location spoofing attempts
Verifying transaction authenticity
Improving risk assessment accuracy

The SDK will still function without location permissions, but fraud detection accuracy may be reduced.

Required Manifest Permissions

First, add the necessary permissions to your AndroidManifest.xml:

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.kount.checkoutexample">
    
    <!-- Fine location for precise device location -->
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
    
    <!-- Coarse location as fallback -->
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
    
    <!-- Internet permission (required for SDK) -->
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
    
</manifest>

Runtime Permission Flow

Android Version Check

Always check the Android version before requesting runtime permissions:

import android.os.Build;

if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
    // Android 6.0+ requires runtime permissions
    requestLocationPermission(this);
} else {
    // Pre-Android 6.0, permissions granted at install time
    startDataCollection();
}

Implementing Permission Requests

Java Implementation

import android.Manifest;
import android.app.Activity;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat;
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat;
import com.kount.api.KountSDK;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity 
        implements ActivityCompat.OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback {
    
    private void requestLocationPermission(Activity activity) {
        // Check if permission is already granted
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(
                activity,
                Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
        ) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            
            // Check if we should show rationale
            if (ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(
                    activity,
                    Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
            )) {
                // Show explanation to user before requesting
                // You can show a dialog or Toast here
                ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(
                        activity,
                        new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},
                        KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION
                );
            } else {
                // No explanation needed, request permission
                ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(
                        activity,
                        new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},
                        KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION
                );
            }
        } else {
            // Permission already granted
            startDataCollection();
        }
    }
    
    @Override
    public void onRequestPermissionsResult(
            int requestCode, 
            String permissions[], 
            int[] grantResults
    ) {
        if (requestCode == KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION) {
            // Start collection regardless of permission result
            startDataCollection();
            
            // Check if permission was granted
            if (grantResults.length > 0 && 
                grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                Log.d("TAG", "Location permission granted");
                // Permission granted - SDK will collect location data
            } else {
                Log.d("TAG", "Location permission denied");
                // Permission denied - SDK will still work without location
            }
        }
        super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
    }
    
    private void startDataCollection() {
        KountSDK.INSTANCE.collectForSession(this,
            (sessionId) -> {
                Log.d("TAG", "Collection completed: " + sessionId);
                return null;
            },
            (sessionId, error) -> {
                Log.d("TAG", "Collection failed: " + error);
                return null;
            }
        );
    }
}

Kotlin Implementation

import android.Manifest
import android.app.Activity
import android.content.pm.PackageManager
import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat
import com.kount.api.KountSDK

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity(), 
        ActivityCompat.OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback {
    
    private fun requestLocationPermission(activity: Activity) {
        // Check if permission is already granted
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(
                activity,
                Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
            ) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED
        ) {
            // Request permission
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(
                activity,
                arrayOf(Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION),
                KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION
            )
        } else {
            // Permission already granted
            startDataCollection()
        }
    }
    
    override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(
        requestCode: Int,
        permissions: Array<out String>,
        grantResults: IntArray
    ) {
        if (requestCode == KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION) {
            // Start collection regardless of permission result
            startDataCollection()
            
            // Check result and update UI
            val granted = grantResults.isNotEmpty() && 
                grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED
            
            Log.d("TAG", "Location permission: ${if (granted) "granted" else "denied"}")
        }
        super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults)
    }
    
    private fun startDataCollection() {
        KountSDK.collectForSession(this, { sessionId ->
            Log.d("TAG", "Collection completed: $sessionId")
        }, { sessionId, error ->
            Log.d("TAG", "Collection failed: $error")
        })
    }
}

Permission Request Code

The SDK provides a constant for the permission request code:

KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION

You can use this constant or define your own:

private static final int PERMISSIONS_REQUEST_LOCATION = 0;

Using the SDK’s constant (KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION) ensures consistency and avoids potential conflicts with other permission requests in your app.

Permission Rationale

Android recommends showing a rationale when requesting sensitive permissions:

if (ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(
        activity,
        Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
)) {
    // Show explanation dialog
    new AlertDialog.Builder(activity)
        .setTitle("Location Permission Needed")
        .setMessage("This app needs location access to enhance security and prevent fraud.")
        .setPositiveButton("OK", (dialog, which) -> {
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(
                activity,
                new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},
                KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION
            );
        })
        .setNegativeButton("Cancel", null)
        .show();
}

Handling Permission Results

All Scenarios

Permission Granted: SDK collects location data for enhanced fraud detection
Permission Denied: SDK continues without location data
Permission Permanently Denied: User must manually enable in app settings

Checking Permission Status

boolean hasPermission = ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(
    this,
    Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED;

if (hasPermission) {
    // Location access granted
} else {
    // Location access denied or not requested
}

Best Practices

Request Early

Request location permissions early in the app flow, ideally during initial setup or first-time experience.

Show Rationale

Always explain why you need location access. Users are more likely to grant permissions when they understand the benefit.

Handle Denial

Always start data collection even if permission is denied. The SDK will work without location data.

Test Scenarios

Test your app with permissions granted, denied, and permanently denied to ensure proper handling.

Complete Permission Flow Example

Here’s a complete example with UI updates:

Java
Kotlin

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity 
        implements ActivityCompat.OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback {
    
    private TextView locationStatus;
    
    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
        
        locationStatus = findViewById(R.id.location);
        
        // Initialize SDK
        KountSDK.INSTANCE.setMerchantId("999999");
        KountSDK.INSTANCE.setCollectAnalytics(true);
        KountSDK.INSTANCE.setEnvironment(KountSDK.ENVIRONMENT_TEST);
        
        // Handle permissions
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
            requestLocationPermission(this);
        } else {
            locationStatus.setText("Allowed");
            startDataCollection();
        }
    }
    
    private void requestLocationPermission(Activity activity) {
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(
                activity,
                Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
        ) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(
                    activity,
                    new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},
                    KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION
            );
        } else {
            locationStatus.setText("Allowed");
            startDataCollection();
        }
    }
    
    @Override
    public void onRequestPermissionsResult(
            int requestCode,
            String permissions[],
            int[] grantResults
    ) {
        if (requestCode == KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION) {
            startDataCollection();
            
            if (grantResults.length > 0 && 
                grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                locationStatus.setText("Allowed");
            } else {
                locationStatus.setText("Denied");
            }
        }
        super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
    }
    
    private void startDataCollection() {
        KountSDK.INSTANCE.collectForSession(this,
            (sessionId) -> {
                Log.d("TAG", "Success: " + sessionId);
                return null;
            },
            (sessionId, error) -> {
                Log.d("TAG", "Failed: " + error);
                return null;
            }
        );
    }
}

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity(), 
        ActivityCompat.OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback {
    
    private lateinit var locationStatus: TextView
    
    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main)
        
        locationStatus = findViewById(R.id.location)
        
        // Initialize SDK
        KountSDK.setMerchantId("999999")
        KountSDK.setCollectAnalytics(true)
        KountSDK.setEnvironment(KountSDK.ENVIRONMENT_TEST)
        
        // Handle permissions
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
            requestLocationPermission(this)
        } else {
            locationStatus.text = "Allowed"
            startDataCollection()
        }
    }
    
    private fun requestLocationPermission(activity: Activity) {
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(
                activity,
                Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
            ) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED
        ) {
            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(
                activity,
                arrayOf(Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION),
                KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION
            )
        } else {
            locationStatus.text = "Allowed"
            startDataCollection()
        }
    }
    
    override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(
        requestCode: Int,
        permissions: Array<out String>,
        grantResults: IntArray
    ) {
        if (requestCode == KountSDK.REQUEST_PERMISSION_LOCATION) {
            startDataCollection()
            
            locationStatus.text = if (grantResults.isNotEmpty() && 
                grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                "Allowed"
            } else {
                "Denied"
            }
        }
        super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults)
    }
    
    private fun startDataCollection() {
        KountSDK.collectForSession(this, { sessionId ->
            Log.d("TAG", "Success: $sessionId")
        }, { sessionId, error ->
            Log.d("TAG", "Failed: $error")
        })
    }
}

Always call startDataCollection() or collectForSession() regardless of permission results. The SDK will collect available data and work without location if permission is denied.

Troubleshooting

Permission dialog not showing

Verify permissions are declared in AndroidManifest.xml
Check that you’re testing on Android 6.0+ (API level 23+)
Ensure you’re not checking permission status incorrectly
Clear app data and reinstall to reset permission state

Permission permanently denied

If a user selects “Don’t ask again” and denies permission:

shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale() returns false
You must direct users to app settings to manually enable
Use an Intent 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);

Location data not being collected

Verify ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission is granted
Check that device location services are enabled
Ensure the app has network connectivity
Review logs for any SDK error messages

Next Steps

Configuration Options

Learn about all SDK configuration options

Java Integration

Complete Java integration guide

Kotlin Integration

Complete Kotlin integration guide

API Reference

Complete API documentation

Get Started

Integration Guides

Core Concepts

Examples

Overview

Why Location Permissions Matter

Required Manifest Permissions

Runtime Permission Flow

Android Version Check

Implementing Permission Requests

Java Implementation

Kotlin Implementation

Permission Request Code

Permission Rationale

Handling Permission Results

All Scenarios

Checking Permission Status

Best Practices

Request Early

Show Rationale

Handle Denial

Test Scenarios

Complete Permission Flow Example

Troubleshooting

Next Steps

Configuration Options

Java Integration

Kotlin Integration

API Reference

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get Started

Integration Guides

Core Concepts

Examples

​Overview

​Why Location Permissions Matter

​Required Manifest Permissions

​Runtime Permission Flow

​Android Version Check

​Implementing Permission Requests

​Java Implementation

​Kotlin Implementation

​Permission Request Code

​Permission Rationale

​Handling Permission Results

​All Scenarios

​Checking Permission Status

​Best Practices

Request Early

Show Rationale

Handle Denial

Test Scenarios

​Complete Permission Flow Example

​Troubleshooting

​Next Steps

Configuration Options

Java Integration

Kotlin Integration

API Reference

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

Why Location Permissions Matter

Required Manifest Permissions

Runtime Permission Flow

Android Version Check

Implementing Permission Requests

Java Implementation

Kotlin Implementation

Permission Request Code

Permission Rationale

Handling Permission Results

All Scenarios

Checking Permission Status

Best Practices

Complete Permission Flow Example

Troubleshooting

Next Steps