If you are using Api 23, first make permission, then start recording
private boolean checkAndRequestPermissions() { int permissionSendMessage = ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE); int locationPermission = ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO); List<String> listPermissionsNeeded = new ArrayList<>(); if (locationPermission != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) { listPermissionsNeeded.add(Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO); } if (permissionSendMessage != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) { listPermissionsNeeded.add(Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE); } if (!listPermissionsNeeded.isEmpty()) { ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, listPermissionsNeeded.toArray(new String[listPermissionsNeeded.size()]),REQUEST_ID_MULTIPLE_PERMISSIONS); return false; } return true; } @Override public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String permissions[], int[] grantResults) { Log.d("TAG", "Permission callback called-------"); switch (requestCode) { case REQUEST_ID_MULTIPLE_PERMISSIONS: { Map<String, Integer> perms = new HashMap<>(); // Initialize the map with both permissions perms.put(Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED); perms.put(Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO, PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED); // Fill with actual results from user if (grantResults.length > 0) { for (int i = 0; i < permissions.length; i++) perms.put(permissions[i], grantResults[i]); // Check for both permissions if (perms.get(Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && perms.get(Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) { Log.d("TAG", "sms & location services permission granted"); // process the normal flow pager = (ViewPager) findViewById(R.id.pager); pager.setAdapter(new MyAdapter(getSupportFragmentManager())); tabs = (PagerSlidingTabStrip) findViewById(R.id.tabs); tabs.setViewPager(pager); //else any one or both the permissions are not granted } else { Log.d("TAG", "Some permissions are not granted ask again "); //permission is denied (this is the first time, when "never ask again" is not checked) so ask again explaining the usage of permission // // shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale will return true //show the dialog or snackbar saying its necessary and try again otherwise proceed with setup. if (ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(this, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) || ActivityCompat.shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale(this, Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO)) { showDialogOK("SMS and Location Services Permission required for this app", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() { @Override public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) { switch (which) { case DialogInterface.BUTTON_POSITIVE: checkAndRequestPermissions(); break; case DialogInterface.BUTTON_NEGATIVE: // proceed with logic by disabling the related features or quit the app. break; } } }); } //permission is denied (and never ask again is checked) //shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale will return false else { Toast.makeText(this, "Go to settings and enable permissions", Toast.LENGTH_LONG) .show(); // //proceed with logic by disabling the related features or quit the app. } } } } } } private void showDialogOK(String message, DialogInterface.OnClickListener okListener) { new AlertDialog.Builder(this) .setMessage(message) .setPositiveButton("OK", okListener) .setNegativeButton("Cancel", okListener) .create() .show(); }