Cordova / Android: Sim Permission Denied – Unraveling the Mystery!

Are you tired of encountering the dreaded “sim permission denied” error while developing a Cordova-based Android app? You’re not alone! This pesky issue has plagued many developers, leaving them scratching their heads and wondering what went wrong. Fear not, dear reader, for we’re about to embark on a journey to demystify this problem and provide you with a clear, step-by-step guide to overcome it.

What Causes the “Sim Permission Denied” Error?

Before we dive into the solution, it’s essential to understand the root cause of the problem. The “sim permission denied” error typically occurs when your Cordova-based Android app tries to access the device’s SIM card information without the necessary permissions. This can happen due to various reasons, including:

• Missing or incorrect permissions in the AndroidManifest.xml file
• Inadequate configuration of the Cordova plugin
• Conflicting permissions with other plugins
• Android version-specific limitations

Step-by-Step Solution to the “Sim Permission Denied” Error

Now that we’ve identified the potential causes, let’s get down to business and fix this issue once and for all! Follow these instructions carefully, and you’ll be on your way to resolving the “sim permission denied” error.

Step 1: Update Your AndroidManifest.xml File

Open your project’s AndroidManifest.xml file and add the following permissions:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />

These permissions allow your app to access the device’s phone state and network information.

Step 2: Configure the Cordova Plugin

Make sure you’ve installed the Cordova SIM plugin:

cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-sim

Then, add the following lines to your config.xml file:

<plugin name="cordova-plugin-sim" spec="~1.3.1">
  <param name="ANDROID_PERMISSION" value="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE"/>
</plugin>

This configuration tells Cordova to request the necessary permissions for the SIM plugin.

Step 3: Resolve Conflicting Permissions

If you’re using other plugins that require similar permissions, you might need to adjust their configurations to avoid conflicts. For example, if you’re using the Cordova device plugin, you can add the following lines to your config.xml file:

<plugin name="cordova-plugin-device" spec="~2.0.2">
  <param name="ANDROID_PERMISSION" value="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE"/>
</plugin>

By doing this, you ensure that both plugins request the same permission, avoiding potential conflicts.

Step 4: Handle Android Version-Specific Limitations

Android 10 (Q) and later versions have introduced new restrictions on accessing the SIM card information. To overcome this limitation, you need to add the following code to your app’s Java class (e.g., MainActivity.java):

import android.Manifest;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    // Check for permission
    if (checkSelfPermission(Manifest.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
      requestPermissions(new String[]{Manifest.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE}, 1);
    }
  }
}

This code checks if the app has the necessary permission and requests it if needed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even after following the above steps, you might still encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Issue	Solution
Error: ” permission denied for this connection”	Check if you’ve added the necessary permissions to your AndroidManifest.xml file and config.xml file.
Error: ” plugin not found”	Verify that you’ve installed the Cordova SIM plugin correctly and added it to your config.xml file.
Error: “android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE permission denied”	Make sure you’ve handled the Android 10 (Q) and later version limitations by adding the necessary code to your app’s Java class.

Conclusion

There you have it! By following these steps and troubleshooting common issues, you should be able to resolve the “sim permission denied” error in your Cordova-based Android app. Remember to stay calm, patient, and persistent when faced with this problem. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a robust and permission-friendly app.

So, go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief – the “sim permission denied” error is no longer a mystery, and you’re now equipped to tackle it head-on!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Why do I need to add permissions to my AndroidManifest.xml file?

   A: Adding permissions to your AndroidManifest.xml file allows your app to request the necessary permissions to access the device’s SIM card information.

2. Q: What is the purpose of the Cordova SIM plugin?

   A: The Cordova SIM plugin provides a way for your app to access the device’s SIM card information, such as the phone number and carrier information.

3. Q: How do I handle permissions in Android 10 (Q) and later versions?

   A: You need to add code to your app’s Java class to request the necessary permission and handle the new restrictions introduced in Android 10 (Q) and later versions.

That’s all for now! If you have any further questions or need more assistance, feel free to ask.

Frequently Asked Question

Cordova Android app developers, assemble! If you’re struggling with the pesky “SIM permission denied” error, we’ve got the answers you need.