Request permission is not resolving in Android 16 if the status is never_ask_again

[kanthivel]

Before submitting a new issue

• I tested using the latest version of the library, as the bug might be already fixed.
• I tested using a supported version of react native.
• I checked for possible duplicate issues, with possible answers.

Bug summary

On Android 16, when using react-native-permissions (latest version) to check or request permissions, the promise does not resolve if the permission is in a blocked state.

• Works fine for granted and denied states.

• Hangs (no resolution) for blocked.

• Issue reproduced with all permissions (check with ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION and CAMERA)

On Android 16, app must be moved foreground -> background → foreground to trigger callback in never_ask_again case

Android version: 16
Build number: BP41.250822.010

Library version

5.4.2

Environment info

System:
  OS: macOS 15.7
  CPU: (14) arm64 Apple M4 Pro
  Memory: 740.94 MB / 48.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 22.19.0
    path: /var/folders/hv/4xscjh9n527786cfrr112q_80000gn/T/yarn--1758535287705-0.9384704201405711/node
  Yarn:
    version: 1.22.22
    path: /var/folders/hv/4xscjh9n527786cfrr112q_80000gn/T/yarn--1758535287705-0.9384704201405711/yarn
  npm:
    version: 10.9.3
    path: /opt/homebrew/opt/node@22/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2025.09.15.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.16.2
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 24.2
      - iOS 18.2
      - macOS 15.2
      - tvOS 18.2
      - visionOS 2.2
      - watchOS 11.2
  Android SDK:
    API Levels:
      - "35"
      - "36"
    Build Tools:
      - 35.0.0
      - 35.0.1
      - 36.0.0
    System Images:
      - android-35 | Pre-Release 16 KB Page Size Google Play ARM 64 v8a
      - android-36 | Google Play ARM 64 v8a
    Android NDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2024.3 AI-243.26053.27.2432.13536105
  Xcode:
    version: 16.2/16C5032a
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.16
    path: /opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk@17/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 2.6.10
    path: /usr/bin/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli":
    installed: 20.0.0
    wanted: 20.0.0
  react:
    installed: 19.1.0
    wanted: 19.1.0
  react-native:
    installed: 0.81.4
    wanted: 0.81.4
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: true
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false

Steps to reproduce

Install react-native-permissions (latest).

Block location permission manually in app settings.

Run the following code:

import { request, PERMISSIONS } from "react-native-permissions";

const test = async () => {
const result = await request(PERMISSIONS.ANDROID.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION);
console.log("result:", result); // never resolves if blocked
};

Reproducible sample code

import React, { useState } from "react";
import { View, Text, Button, StyleSheet } from "react-native";
import RNPermissions, { PERMISSIONS, PermissionStatus } from "react-native-permissions";

const App = () => {
  const [status, setStatus] = useState<PermissionStatus | string>("Unknown");

  const requestLocationPermissionLib = async () => {
    try {
        const result = await RNPermissions.request(
          PERMISSIONS.ANDROID.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION,
          {
            title: "Location Permission",
            message: "This app needs access to your location.",
            buttonNegative: "Cancel",
            buttonPositive: "OK",
          }
        );
        setStatus(result);
      } catch (err) {
      console.warn(err);
      setStatus("error");
    }
  };

  const checkLocationPermissionLib = async () => {
    try {
        const result = await RNPermissions.check(
          PERMISSIONS.ANDROID.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
        );
        setStatus(result);
      } catch (err) {
      console.warn(err);
      setStatus("error");
    }
  };

  return (
    <View style={styles.container}>
      <Text style={styles.title}>Location Permission Example</Text>
      <Text style={styles.status}>Current Status: {status}</Text>

      <View style={styles.buttonContainer}>
        <Button title="Check Permission lib" onPress={checkLocationPermissionLib} />
      </View>
      <View style={styles.buttonContainer}>
        <Button title="Request Permission lib" onPress={requestLocationPermissionLib} />
      </View>
    </View>
  );
};

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  container: { flex: 1, justifyContent: "center", alignItems: "center", padding: 16, backgroundColor: "white" },
  title: { fontSize: 20, fontWeight: "bold", marginBottom: 20 },
  status: { fontSize: 16, marginBottom: 20 },
  buttonContainer: { marginVertical: 8, width: "80%" },
});

export default App;

[kanthivel]

facebook/react-native#53887

[dgreasi]

Getting the same on Android 16

[felipebaisi]

Same. It has to be Android 16 QPR1.

[Brma1048]

Same on Android 16, react native 0.79.6

[AF-appointhq]

Same on Android 15, react native 0.80.1

[Brma1048]

I think we need to wait for this fix facebook/react-native#53898