Skip to main content
Answered

Does Intercom SDK on Android use the PhotoPicker API for the image attachments feature?


We’re using Intercom Android SDK 15.1.3. We use the Intercom.client().present() API to show the help center in our app.

Our app currently requires READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission and the only reason for this permission is for Intercom’s image attachments feature.

From Android documentation, on API 33, READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is replaced with more granular permissions like READ_MEDIA_IMAGES etc. However, it also states that you can use the PhotoPicker to get the same behaviour without any permissions; and with the jetpack library PhotoPicker is available all the way back to API 19.

My question is: Does Intercom Android SDK use PhotoPicker? What about on pre-API 33?

The only reference to this I see is in the changlog for Intercom Android SDK v12.5.3 but it is not clear what that means for an app that integrates this SDK.

Best answer by Jacob Cox

Hey there @Kiran Rao !

I heard back from our team regarding your PhotPicker question:

“From Intercom SDK Version 15.1.0, we no longer require READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE. We have replaced with PhotoPicker for the latest Android OS versions. Based on Google's doc, the PhotoPicker is available for most devices from Android 11. For older devices, we use the OPEN_DOCUMENT as the fallback mechanism and it as well doesn't require any permission to be set from the customer’s end.”

I hope that’s helpful!

View original
Did this topic help you find an answer to your question?

6 replies

Jacob Cox
Intercom Team
Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Sr. Technical Support Engineer
  • 441 replies
  • August 26, 2023

Hey there @Kiran Rao !

 

I do know that our team was looking into an option that doesn’t require storage permission, but I’ll need to reach out to them for more details. I’ll reach back out to you here when I have more information to share!


Jacob Cox
Intercom Team
Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Sr. Technical Support Engineer
  • 441 replies
  • Answer
  • September 16, 2023

Hey there @Kiran Rao !

I heard back from our team regarding your PhotPicker question:

“From Intercom SDK Version 15.1.0, we no longer require READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE. We have replaced with PhotoPicker for the latest Android OS versions. Based on Google's doc, the PhotoPicker is available for most devices from Android 11. For older devices, we use the OPEN_DOCUMENT as the fallback mechanism and it as well doesn't require any permission to be set from the customer’s end.”

I hope that’s helpful!


  • Author
  • New Participant
  • 4 replies
  • September 25, 2023

That answers my question. Thanks!


  • New Participant
  • 4 replies
  • March 25, 2024

Could you please ask developers to update docs? They are still saying the permission is required.


sean.reid
Employee
Forum|alt.badge.img
  • Manager, Customer Support
  • 8 replies
  • April 15, 2024

Hey @Anton K12 

I will make sure to pass on this info to get this updated for you! Very sorry for the delay in response here as well. Please let me know if there is any other way we can help!


Forum|alt.badge.img

@sean.reid The docs are still outdated and from what I can tell, also need RECORD_AUDIO added as well since for some reason Intercom opted to add that functionality in rather than using voice inputs commonly available on Android keyboards and available on iOS as well.


Cookie policy

We use cookies to enhance and personalize your experience. If you accept you agree to our full cookie policy. Learn more about our cookies.

 
Cookie settings