Why is READ_CONTACTS permission not being read in .NET MAUI? - maui

Question

I've been reading on how to access the address book/contacts. I'm on a PC and have an android emulator up and running logged into my gmail. I run the code below. Up pops my address book contacts, so that is good. Unfortunately, when I select a contact, the next line isn't hit. Below the source is some output that I see in the Output window. I see some nulls in the output, but I don't know what to make of it.
the behavior i get is that after I select a contact, that window closes, and the previous screen is displayed. When I trap the exception, I get the message that the app doesn't have the READ_CONTACTS permission, yet, I am obviously setting it. I've followed the instructions here on setting things up: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/maui/platform-integration/communication/contacts?tabs=android
It seems as if the permission isn't being read in the manifest or out of the assemblyinfo.cs file. Am I missing something? Does it wound like I've done something wrong?
TIA,
Wally
My Manifest file:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<application android:allowBackup="true" android:icon="#mipmap/appicon" android:roundIcon="#mipmap/appicon_round" android:supportsRtl="true"></application>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CONTACTS" />
</manifest>
Source:
var contact = await Contacts.Default.PickContactAsync(); // <-- break point is hit here
try{
if (contact == null) // <-- Breakpoint isn't hit
return;
string id = contact.Id;
string namePrefix = contact.NamePrefix;
string givenName = contact.GivenName;
string middleName = contact.MiddleName;
string familyName = contact.FamilyName;
string nameSuffix = contact.NameSuffix;
string displayName = contact.DisplayName;
List<ContactPhone> phones = contact.Phones; // List of phone numbers
List<ContactEmail> emails = contact.Emails; // List of email addresses
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
// Most likely permission denied
}

Answer 1

Many thanks to #toolmakersteve. I added this code and called it. It still need refinement, but it's a start.
public async Task<PermissionStatus> CheckAndRequestContactsReadPermission()
{
PermissionStatus status = await Permissions.CheckStatusAsync<Permissions.ContactsRead>();
if (status == PermissionStatus.Granted)
return status;
if (status == PermissionStatus.Denied && DeviceInfo.Platform == DevicePlatform.iOS)
{
// Prompt the user to turn on in settings
// On iOS once a permission has been denied it may not be requested again from the application
return status;
}
if (Permissions.ShouldShowRationale<Permissions.ContactsRead>())
{
// Prompt the user with additional information as to why the permission is needed
}
status = await Permissions.RequestAsync<Permissions.ContactsRead>();
return status;
}