Android Question Physical location of RunTimePermissions.GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("")

Frank Cazabon · Feb 7, 2024

Hi,
I have a config file stored using this code on an android tablet:

B4X:

Dim rp As RuntimePermissions
ConfigFilePath = rp.GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("")
File.WriteMap(ConfigFilePath, ConfigFileName, configMap)

Where does this file physically end up? I need to manually change a value in the file and can't find it.

klaus · Feb 7, 2024

Add a Log to display the location.
It should be under Internal Storage/Andriod/data/b4a.YourProhramName/YourFiles.

Frank Cazabon · Feb 7, 2024

Thanks but when I go into Internal Storage/Android/data there's nothing there.
I guess I'm going to have to change the program temporarily to display where the path is, or maybe delete it so it will get recreated with the new values.

Frank Cazabon · Feb 7, 2024

It seems to be telling me the file is supposed to be at /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/my.app/files but I'm not able to see that folder!

DonManfred · Feb 7, 2024

Frank Cazabon said:
but I'm not able to see that folder!

you are not supposed to see the file.

You can only access it from your app.

for more info about the restrictions in higher android look here:

android.jar / targetSdkVersion / minSdkVersion

There are several versioned components that affect the compilation process and the runtime behavior of our apps. The purpose of this tutorial is to explain the differences between them and help you choose which version to use. Each Android version is mapped to an api level. You can see this...

www.b4x.com

Frank Cazabon · Feb 7, 2024

DonManfred said:
you are not supposed to see the file.

You can only access it from your app.

for more info about the restrictions in higher android look here:

android.jar / targetSdkVersion / minSdkVersion

There are several versioned components that affect the compilation process and the runtime behavior of our apps. The purpose of this tutorial is to explain the differences between them and help you choose which version to use. Each Android version is mapped to an api level. You can see this...

www.b4x.com

so how do you use a configuration file so that users can change things like paths? I guess I'll have to create a screen in the app to allow this to be done as opposed to my old way of having a simple text file that they can edit?

klaus · Feb 7, 2024

What is the Package name in the Build Configurations window ?

I tested ConfigFilePath = rp.GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("") in a test program.
The Log gives: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/b4a.TestNew/files
The folder name in data is the Package name.

And in the Windows Files Explorer I get this:
The Test.txt file is written by the test program.
The image1.jpg was added in the Windows Files Explorer and read by the test program.

Currently this works even with android:targetSdkVersion="33".
But, how long ?
Google limits more and more the access to data.

Frank Cazabon · Feb 7, 2024

klaus said:
What is the Package name in the Build Configurations window ?

View attachment 150466

I tested ConfigFilePath = rp.GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("") in a test program.
The Log gives: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/b4a.TestNew/files
The folder name in data is the Package name.

And in the Windows Files Explorer I get this:
The Test.txt file is written by the test program.
The image1.jpg was added in the Windows Files Explorer and read by the test program.

View attachment 150467

Currently this works even with android:targetSdkVersion="33".
But, how long ?
Google limits more and more the access to data.

Mine is called IBC.PackTrack, but I can't see any Android folder under the /storage/emulated/0/ folder.
I will work out another way to get this done. Thanks

klaus · Feb 7, 2024

It should be: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/IBC.PackTrack/files.
Try to save a file from your program to your ConfigFilePath folder.
After having written the file, maybe you need to reconnecte the USB connection, you should see the file.
This is what I did.

Frank Cazabon · Feb 7, 2024

klaus said:
It should be: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/IBC.PackTrack/files.
Try to save a file from your program to your ConfigFilePath folder.
After having written the file, maybe you need to reconnecte the USB connection, you should see the file.
This is what I did.

I've tried multiple times unsuccessfully. I only have one folder where the Android folder should be and it's called MIUI (which is the Xaomi android version) and there's nothing under that MIUI folder.
The other tablets that this is installed on have the android folder but no IBC.packtrack folder

Sagenut · Feb 7, 2024

Frank Cazabon said:
Mine is called IBC.PackTrack, but I can't see any Android folder under the /storage/emulated/0/ folder.
I will work out another way to get this done. Thanks

Are you trying to see it with a File Explorer on your phone?
Because in that case you will not be able to.
But your app will be able to read and write files in that position.
If you need to take out that file from your phone then you need to connect your phone to PC and take it exploring with Windows File Manager.

***EDIT***
In my phone I can see all the folders of installed apps, but then every Files folder appear to be empty.
Google is closing more doors everytime.
So probably the best solution is to move your file to an accessible area, but that will request user intervent to give permission (if I am correct).

klaus · Feb 7, 2024

I have attached a small test program called TestRPFolder.

This is the Build Configuration:

The program saves a text file and can read it back.
And I see the file in the windows File Explorer, of course connected via USB:

And further down a folder with the package name:

Sagenut · Feb 7, 2024

klaus said:
I have attached a small test program called TestRPFolder.

This is the Build Configuration:

View attachment 150474

The program saves a text file and can read it back.
And I see the file in the windows File Explorer, of course connected via USB:

View attachment 150475

And further down a folder with the package name:

View attachment 150476

It works.
Probably I cannot see files even from my app because I made other subfolders.

mangojack · Feb 7, 2024

klaus said:
It should be: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.......

Frank Cazabon said:
Thanks but when I go into Internal Storage/Android/data there's nothing there.

Sagenut said:
Are you trying to see it with a File Explorer on your phone?
Because in that case you will not be able to.

This was the case on our Samsung phones , using the default file explorer the Main Storage/Android/Data folder is empty.
Installing CX File Explorer (Play Store) displays all folders , including created folders using rp. GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("")

It also allows you to transfer files to / from you PC if needed.

Frank Cazabon · Feb 8, 2024

Sagenut said:
Are you trying to see it with a File Explorer on your phone?
Because in that case you will not be able to.
But your app will be able to read and write files in that position.
If you need to take out that file from your phone then you need to connect your phone to PC and take it exploring with Windows File Manager.

***EDIT***
In my phone I can see all the folders of installed apps, but then every Files folder appear to be empty.
Google is closing more doors everytime.
So probably the best solution is to move your file to an accessible area, but that will request user intervent to give permission (if I am correct).

I tried it connecting my phone to my PC but still could not see the relevant folder. Thanks anyhow. I will try to change the way I allow the user to set the configuration for their specific set up.

klaus · Feb 8, 2024

Just to understand what you have done:
Did you test the project i sent in post #12 ?
If yes, did you press the Read button ?
Did you see First line and second line in the Logs ?
You may unplug the USB connection and connect again.
Then you should see the folder on the PC with the Windows File Explorer.
You will not see it with File explorer on the phone.

Alex_197 · Feb 8, 2024

Frank Cazabon said:
Thanks but when I go into Internal Storage/Android/data there's nothing there.
I guess I'm going to have to change the program temporarily to display where the path is, or maybe delete it so it will get recreated with the new values.

since Android version 12 iy's not available to see

mangojack · Feb 8, 2024

Alex_197 said:
since Android version 12 iy's not available to see

Running Android version 13 on 2 phones (Samsung and Oppo). The default file manager does Not show the content of Storage/Android/Data.

CX FileManager (google play store) displays all content, including various folders that I have created with rp. GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("").

I use this app to transfer db files to and from my PC over Wifi.

Alex_197 · Feb 9, 2024

mangojack said:
Running Android version 13 on 2 phones (Samsung and Oppo). The default file manager does Not show the content of Storage/Android/Data.

CX FileManager (google play store) displays all content, including various folders that I have created with rp. GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("").

I use this app to transfer db files to and from my PC over Wifi.

folder - yes, but not the content of these folders

mangojack · Feb 9, 2024

Alex_197 said:
folder - yes, but not the content of these folders

Yes, also the folders contents. I can see the folder I have created, plus my files contained in these folders.

EDIT:

I have just rechecked this, I can see and access files in 2 folders I have created, but not 3 other app folders.
I will have to work out why this is so, and maybe change my direction for saving backups as well.

Android Question Physical location of RunTimePermissions.GetSafeDirDefaultExternal("")

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