Android Question Default download folder

[Nickelgrass]

Hello,

I would like my app to read files from the default download folder. So I gave it AddManifestText(<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" android:maxSdkVersion="19" />).
Then I tried the FileDialog with File.DirInternal but there is no download folder.

Basically what I would like to do is to import certain files into my app. The files should first be stored anywhere from either an email or if stored on the phone via USB. I can see these files in the Android files app in the downloads folder. So they are there. But how can I read them from my app?

Thanks

 

[agraham]

You don't need maxSdkVersion, You need to request the permission but it won't work with targetSdkVersion greater than 28 so set it to 28 for your own use if the app is nit going in the Play Store.

Look at this example. Although intended to show the use of MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE it also has the code for getting WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, which also gives you read permission,

Manage External Storage - access internal external storage >= SDK 30

Google seems intent on dumbing down Android to the point of uselessnes to me. I think of my devices as little computers and I want a proper file system on them, not the limited tortuous things that Google offers and that I don't understand, ContentChooser, FileProvider, ... o_O I'm getting old...

www.b4x.com

 

[Nickelgrass]

You don't need maxSdkVersion, You need to request the permission but it won't work with targetSdkVersion greater than 28 so set it to 28 for your own use if the app is nit going in the Play Store.

Look at this example. Although intended to show the use of MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE it also has the code for getting WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, which also gives you read permission,

Manage External Storage - access internal external storage >= SDK 30

Google seems intent on dumbing down Android to the point of uselessnes to me. I think of my devices as little computers and I want a proper file system on them, not the limited tortuous things that Google offers and that I don't understand, ContentChooser, FileProvider, ... o_O I'm getting old...

www.b4x.com

Thanks for the reply. But the app is supposed to go to playstore. I will look into the example.

 

[agraham]

But the app is supposed to go to playstore.

In that case your choices are here.

SaveAs - Let the user select a target folder + list of other related methods

B4A + B4i example: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/b4x-texteditor-save-and-load-external-files.132731/#post-838166 List of classes or libraries that can be used to access secondary storages: ContentChooser (Phone libray) - allows the user to select a resource or file using external...

www.b4x.com

Using FileHandler should let you access Downloads. Example loading a file here but note that you may need to change the mime type in Sub Load in the FileHandler class.

[B4X] TextEditor - Save and load external files

This is a B4i and B4A example, which demonstrates various external files related tasks. The behavior is not exactly the same as the platforms capabilities and behavior are different. B4A Load external files, including online files, using ContentChooser. Save to an external target, using...

www.b4x.com

 

[Nickelgrass]

In that case your choices are here.

SaveAs - Let the user select a target folder + list of other related methods

B4A + B4i example: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/b4x-texteditor-save-and-load-external-files.132731/#post-838166 List of classes or libraries that can be used to access secondary storages: ContentChooser (Phone libray) - allows the user to select a resource or file using external...

www.b4x.com

Using FileHandler should let you access Downloads. Example loading a file here but note that you may need to change the mime type in Sub Load in the FileHandler class.

[B4X] TextEditor - Save and load external files

This is a B4i and B4A example, which demonstrates various external files related tasks. The behavior is not exactly the same as the platforms capabilities and behavior are different. B4A Load external files, including online files, using ContentChooser. Save to an external target, using...

www.b4x.com

Thanks for the tips! The contentchooser seems work. At least on the emulator. Phone I need to test yet.

Is there any way to set the filter to a custom file type?

 

[agraham]

Is there any way to set the filter to a custom file type?

Depends what you mean by a custom file type but in any case I don't really know as my apps are for my own use so I use MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE or WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions to access the file store directly so I am not familiar with either FileProvider or ContentChooser.,

 

[Nickelgrass]

Ok so it does not work on the actual phone. I can start the ContentChooser and see the files but I can not select the files.

    Dim cc As ContentChooser
    cc.Initialize("CC")
    cc.Show("text/*", "choose profile")
    Wait For CC_Result (Success As Boolean, Dir As String, FileName As String)
    If Success Then
        Dim fil As String = File.ReadString(Dir, FileName)
        log(fil)
    end if

 

[agraham]

Your mime type may be wrong, it will only allow files it thinks are text files to be selected. Try

cc.Show("*/*", "choose profile")

 

[Nickelgrass]

Your mime type may be wrong, it will only allow files it thinks are text files to be selected. Try

cc.Show("*/*", "choose profile")

Yes that was it thanks a lot for the hepl!