Android Question [Solved-Possibly] ExternalStorage EnterFolder

Roger Daley · May 9, 2021

Hi All,

REF: Erel's ExternalStorage B4A Example.

I am at the earliest stage of working on an APP that requires the APP to automatically copy all text files in the "DownLoad" folder to a Temp Folder in "DirInternal".

My first issue is how to change from :

B4X:

Private Storage As ExternalStorage
EnterFolder(Storage.Root)

to

B4X:

Private Storage As ExternalStorage
EnterFolder(Storage.Root/"Download")

.

Alternatively

B4X:

Dim folder As ExternalFile = GetCurrentFolder/"Download")
EnterFolder(folder)

This of course is mixing Objects with strings.

With thanks in advance.
Regards Roger

Erel · May 9, 2021

Don't assume that Storage.root = the secondary storage root folder = File.DirRootExternal.

Storage.root is the folder that the user selected.

Roger Daley · May 9, 2021

I think this is correct.

B4X:

Private DL As ExternalFile
    DL= Storage.FindFile(Storage.root, "/Download")
    EnterFolder(DL)

Erel · May 9, 2021

Only if the user chose the root folder. Make sure to check that DL.IsInitialized is true.

Roger Daley · May 9, 2021

Thanks Erel,

I'm trying to bypass the user selecting the folder and force the App to do it.
I will keep trying.

Roger

Roger Daley · May 9, 2021

Erel said:
Only if the user chose the root folder. Make sure to check that DL.IsInitialized is true.

Thanks again Erel, [ I think we are crossing paths]
I will keep trying now the brain block has gone.
Roger

agraham · May 9, 2021

Roger Daley said:
I'm trying to bypass the user selecting the folder and force the App to do it.

You can't. the user must select the root folder at least once, it will be fine thereafter. You can check the folder (s)he has selected by looking at the Root global.

Note that if you target SDK30 or higher you won't be able to access the Download folder by this method.
Storage updates in Android 11 | Android Developers

Access to directories
You can no longer use the ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE intent action to request access to the following directories:

The root directory of the internal storage volume.

The root directory of each SD card volume that the device manufacturer considers to be reliable, regardless of whether the card is emulated or removable. A reliable volume is one that an app can successfully access most of the time.

The Download directory

Targeting SDK 29 or earlier you can access Download using normal File I/0 and
rp.CheckAndRequest(rp.PERMISSION_WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)

If targeting SDK 30 or higher AND you don't need to put your app in the Play Store you can access Download using normal File I/0 and
Manage External Storage - access internal external storage >= SDK 30 | B4X Programming Forum

I don't think there is a way to directly access Download if need to put your SDK 30 app in the Play Store. There are probably other ways for the user to securely select a file but I have to admit that, other than the two ways above, I am totally confused about the whole file access situation in SDK 30 Andoid. ?

Roger Daley · May 9, 2021

agraham said:
You can't. the user must select the root folder at least once, it will be fine thereafter. You can check the folder (s)he has selected by looking at the Root global.

Note that if you target SDK30 or higher you won't be able to access the Download folder by this method.
Storage updates in Android 11 | Android Developers

Targeting SDK 29 or earlier you can access Download using normal File I/0 and
rp.CheckAndRequest(rp.PERMISSION_WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)

If targeting SDK 30 or higher AND you don't need to put your app in the Play Store you can access Download using normal File I/0 and
Manage External Storage - access internal external storage >= SDK 30 | B4X Programming Forum

I don't think there is a way to directly access Download if need to put your SDK 30 app in the Play Store. There are probably other ways for the user to securely select a file but I have to admit that, other than the two ways above, I am totally confused about the whole file access situation in SDK 30 Andoid. ?

Thanks Agraham [Erel],
I Think I'm screwed, if it has you confused what chance do the dabblers like me have.

I might take up macrame as a hobby. ?

Regards Roger
PS A curse on Google.

agraham · May 9, 2021

Roger Daley said:
Thanks Erel,

Roger Daley · May 10, 2021

agraham said:

Thanks Agraham.
Sorry about the mix up with Erel, this memory stuff has "knotted" my head.

Roger

Android Question [Solved-Possibly] ExternalStorage EnterFolder

Roger Daley

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Roger Daley

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Roger Daley

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