WorkPro Download Permissions Guide

Overview

The WorkPro app now fully supports file downloads from WebView with automatic permission handling during installation and runtime.

Permissions Declared (AndroidManifest.xml)

Download-Related Permissions:

<!-- For Android 9 and below - Write access to public storage -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" android:maxSdkVersion="29" />

<!-- For Android 10-12 - Read media files from storage -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" android:maxSdkVersion="32" />

<!-- For Android 13+ - Read specific media types without broad storage permission -->
<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" />

<!-- Download notifications without user interaction -->
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.DOWNLOAD_WITHOUT_NOTIFICATION" />

How Downloads Work

1. User Clicks Download Button

• When user clicks a download link in the WebView (PHP/HTML button)
• The DownloadListener.onDownloadStart() is triggered
• The app checks download permissions based on Android version

2. Permission Check

• Android 10+: Files download to app-specific directory (/Android/data/com.workpro.app/files/Download/) - NO permission needed
• Android 9 and below: Files download to public directory (/Downloads/) - Requires WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission

3. Permission Request (if needed)

• If running on Android 9 or below without permissions:
  • System shows permission dialog to user
  • User grants or denies permission
  • If granted, download proceeds
  • If denied, error message is shown

4. Download Execution

• Uses Android DownloadManager service
• Shows system notification with download progress
• File saved with original filename
• Notification shows "Download completed" when done

5. File Access

• Android 10+: User can access via Settings > Apps > WorkPro > Files > Download
• Android 9 and below: User can access via File Manager > Downloads

Download Locations by Android Version

Installation Permissions

When user installs the APK, Android shows these permissions:

Installation Dialog:

• "Storage" - Allows saving downloads (Android 9 and below)
• "Photos, media, and files" - Allows read access (Android 10-12)
• "Photos and videos" - Allows media access (Android 13+)

User can grant or skip these permissions at installation time.

Runtime Permission Handling

If user skipped permissions at install time:

1. When they click download button on first use
2. System shows permission dialog
3. User can grant permission
4. Download proceeds immediately

Code Implementation Details

Main Download Handler (MainActivity.java):

// Triggered when user clicks download link
webView.setDownloadListener(new DownloadListener() {
    @Override
    public void onDownloadStart(String url, String userAgent, 
                                String contentDisposition, String mimetype, 
                                long contentLength) {
        handleDownload(url, userAgent, contentDisposition, mimetype, contentLength);
    }
});

Download Flow:

1. handleDownload() - Checks permissions
2. requestDownloadPermissions() - Requests if needed
3. startDownload() - Executes download using DownloadManager

Permission Check:

private boolean hasDownloadPermissions() {
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
        // Android 10+ - no permission needed
        return true;
    } else {
        // Android 9 and below - check WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
        return ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, 
            Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) 
            == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED;
    }
}

Testing Downloads

To Test:

1. Create a download link in your PHP/HTML:

   <a href="https://yourserver.com/files/document.pdf" download>Download PDF</a>

2. Click the link in the app

3. Grant permission when prompted

4. File downloads to app Downloads folder

5. Notification shows completion

Troubleshooting:

• "Permission denied" → Grant storage permission in app settings
• Download not starting → Check internet connection
• Can't find file → Check app Downloads folder or system Downloads folder
• URL error → Check file URL is accessible and public

Important Notes

1. App-Specific Storage (Android 10+)

   • More secure and private
   • User can access via app settings
   • No scoped storage issues

2. Public Storage (Android 9 and below)

   • Files visible in system Downloads
   • Requires explicit permission
   • May have security implications

3. Permission Best Practice

   • Request only necessary permissions
   • At install time AND runtime
   • Current implementation is optimal

User Experience Flow

User clicks download link
    ↓
App checks Android version
    ↓
Android 10+? → Download starts immediately
    ↓
Android 9 or below?
    ↓
Has WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission?
    ├─ YES → Download starts
    └─ NO → Show permission dialog
              ↓
          User grants? → Download starts
              ↓
          User denies? → Show error message

Files Modified

• app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml - Permissions declared
• app/src/main/java/com/workpro/app/MainActivity.java - Download handling code
• app/src/main/java/com/workpro/app/WorkProApplication.java - Global app configuration

Version Compatibility

• ✅ Android 9 (API 28)
• ✅ Android 10 (API 29)
• ✅ Android 11 (API 30)
• ✅ Android 12 (API 31-32)
• ✅ Android 13 (API 33)
• ✅ Android 14 (API 34) - Target SDK