App does not request all permissions immediately on first launch

Requesting camera, location, and notification permissions simultaneously on first launch is one of Apple's most-cited rejection reasons under guideline 5.1.1 (data collection and storage). Users who see a permission flood immediately deny everything, and reviewers interpret it as a sign the developer hasn't thought about why each permission is actually needed. More practically: a user who denies all permissions on first launch may never see the feature that needs them, making the permission useless. Contextual permission requests — asked at the moment the feature is first triggered — produce dramatically higher grant rates and clearer justification.

Move each permission request to the exact moment the user first triggers the feature that needs it — not in App.tsx on mount.

// src/screens/CameraScreen.tsx
async function handleTakePhoto() {
  const { status } = await Camera.requestCameraPermissionsAsync();
  if (status !== 'granted') {
    Alert.alert('Camera access needed', 'Please enable camera access in Settings to take photos.');
    return;
  }
  // proceed with camera
}

For notifications, add a pre-permission screen explaining the value ("Get alerts when your order ships") before calling requestPermissionsAsync(). Never fire multiple permission requests in parallel with Promise.all().

• ID: app-store-review-blockers.completeness-stability.no-excessive-permissions-launch

• Severity: medium

• What to look for: Count all relevant instances and enumerate each. Check the app's onboarding flow and root component for permission requests fired on mount: PermissionsAndroid.request(), requestPermissionsAsync(), expo-location requestForegroundPermissionsAsync(), expo-camera requestCameraPermissionsAsync(), expo-notifications requestPermissionsAsync(), AVCaptureDevice.requestAccess() (iOS), UNUserNotificationCenter.requestAuthorization(). Count how many distinct permission requests appear in the first 3 seconds of app use. Look for patterns that fire multiple permission requests simultaneously (parallel async calls for camera, location, contacts, and notifications all before any user action).

• Pass criteria: The app requests each permission only at the moment it is first needed (contextual), not all at once on first launch. At least 1 implementation must be verified. If multiple permissions are needed, they are requested sequentially at relevant moments.

• Fail criteria: Two or more unrelated permissions requested within the first screen of the app (e.g., asking for camera AND location AND notifications before the user has done anything).

• Skip (N/A) when: App uses zero special permissions (no camera, location, notifications, contacts, etc.).

• Detail on fail: "App requests camera, location, and notification permissions simultaneously on first launch in App.tsx before any user interaction"

• Remediation: Requesting all permissions up front is a top reason for rejection on both platforms.

  1. Move each permission request to the moment the user first triggers that feature:
     • Camera: request when user taps "Take Photo"
     • Location: request when user enables location-based feature
     • Notifications: request after user opts in to alerts, not on first launch
  2. Add a pre-permission explanation screen that explains WHY the permission is needed before the OS dialog appears
  3. Never request multiple permissions simultaneously using parallel async calls

  Review the configuration in src/ or app/ directory for implementation patterns.