diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MainActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MainActivity.java
index 953af886..15b5e118 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MainActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MainActivity.java
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 package com.simplemobiletools.musicplayer;
 
+import android.Manifest;
 import android.content.Intent;
+import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
 import android.os.Bundle;
+import android.support.v4.app.ActivityCompat;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
 import android.view.View;
 import android.widget.AdapterView;
 import android.widget.ImageView;
 import android.widget.ListView;
 import android.widget.TextView;
+import android.widget.Toast;
 
 import com.squareup.otto.Bus;
 import com.squareup.otto.Subscribe;
@@ -19,6 +24,7 @@ import butterknife.ButterKnife;
 import butterknife.OnClick;
 
 public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
+    private final int STORAGE_PERMISSION = 1;
     private Bus bus;
 
     @Bind(R.id.playPauseBtn) ImageView playPauseBtn;
@@ -33,6 +39,28 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
         ButterKnife.bind(this);
         bus = BusProvider.getInstance();
         bus.register(this);
+
+        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+            initializePlayer();
+        } else {
+            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, STORAGE_PERMISSION);
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
+        super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
+
+        if (requestCode == STORAGE_PERMISSION) {
+            if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+                initializePlayer();
+            } else {
+                Toast.makeText(this, getResources().getString(R.string.no_permissions), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void initializePlayer() {
         Utils.sendIntent(this, Constants.INIT);
     }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MusicService.java b/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MusicService.java
index cd540a9b..e35832be 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MusicService.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/simplemobiletools/musicplayer/MusicService.java
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package com.simplemobiletools.musicplayer;
 
+import android.Manifest;
 import android.app.Notification;
 import android.app.PendingIntent;
 import android.app.Service;
@@ -7,6 +8,7 @@ import android.content.ContentUris;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.IntentFilter;
+import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
 import android.content.res.Resources;
 import android.database.Cursor;
 import android.graphics.Bitmap;
@@ -18,11 +20,13 @@ import android.os.Build;
 import android.os.IBinder;
 import android.os.PowerManager;
 import android.provider.MediaStore;
+import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
 import android.telephony.PhoneStateListener;
 import android.telephony.TelephonyManager;
 import android.util.Log;
 import android.view.View;
 import android.widget.RemoteViews;
+import android.widget.Toast;
 
 import com.squareup.otto.Bus;
 
@@ -62,17 +66,25 @@ public class MusicService extends Service
             bus.register(this);
         }
 
-        getSortedSongs();
-        headsetPlugReceiver = new HeadsetPlugReceiver();
-        incomingCallReceiver = new IncomingCallReceiver(this);
-        wasPlayingAtCall = false;
-        initMediaPlayerIfNeeded();
-        createNotificationButtons();
-        setupNotification();
+        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+            getSortedSongs();
+            headsetPlugReceiver = new HeadsetPlugReceiver();
+            incomingCallReceiver = new IncomingCallReceiver(this);
+            wasPlayingAtCall = false;
+            initMediaPlayerIfNeeded();
+            createNotificationButtons();
+            setupNotification();
+        } else {
+            Toast.makeText(this, getResources().getString(R.string.no_permissions), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
+        }
     }
 
     @Override
     public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
+        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+            return START_NOT_STICKY;
+        }
+
         String action = intent.getAction();
         if (action != null) {
             switch (action) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index f0262ffb..b0915255 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <resources>
     <string name="app_name">Simple Music Player</string>
     <string name="playlist_empty">Your playlist is empty</string>
+    <string name="no_permissions">Permission for accessing the songs has not been granted</string>
 </resources>