Format AndroidManifest.xml — Permissions, Activities, and Intents

Formatting AndroidManifest.xml

The AndroidManifest.xml is the essential configuration file for every Android application. It declares the app's components, permissions, hardware requirements, and more. A well-formatted manifest is critical for understanding an app's capabilities.

Manifest Structure

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
          package="com.example.myapp">

  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />

  <application
    android:allowBackup="true"
    android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:theme="@style/AppTheme">

    <activity
      android:name=".MainActivity"
      android:exported="true">
      <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
      </intent-filter>
    </activity>

    <service android:name=".MyService" />
    <receiver android:name=".MyReceiver" />

  </application>
</manifest>

Permission Declarations

Permissions should be listed before the <application> element, grouped by category:

• Network: INTERNET, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
• Storage: READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
• Hardware: CAMERA, RECORD_AUDIO, ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
• System: RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED, VIBRATE

Component Organization

Within <application>, organize components in this order for consistency:

1. Activities — UI screens
2. Services — background operations
3. Receivers — broadcast receivers
4. Providers — content providers
5. Meta-data — additional configuration

Intent Filters

Intent filters declare what implicit intents a component can handle. Proper indentation makes the action, category, and data elements visually clear:

<intent-filter>
  <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />
  <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
  <category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />
  <data android:scheme="https"
        android:host="example.com"
        android:pathPrefix="/link" />
</intent-filter>

Android Namespace

All Android-specific attributes use the android: namespace prefix. Formatting ensures these namespace-prefixed attributes are clearly visible and consistently aligned.