What's the difference between ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE and INTERNET?

Question

What's the difference between ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE and INTERNET?

If I use INTERNET, is it necessary to use ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE?

In other words, can I use INTERNET without using ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE?

Answer 1

From the documentation:

ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE:

Allows applications to access information about networks

INTERNET:

Allows applications to open network sockets.

In short, the INTERNET permission lets you use the internet, whereas ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE will just give you information about the network, such as whether you are connected to a network at all.

You can use either one without needing the other. If you don't check that you have a valid network connection before trying to use the Internet, your HTTP requests will simply fail.