Resolving the Cannot Read or Write External Storage Issue on Android

Discover how to fix the external storage permission issue on Android devices, ensuring your app can access and manipulate files as intended.
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Resolving the Cannot Read or Write External Storage Issue on Android

Have you ever faced the frustrating issue of being unable to read or write to external storage on your Android device, even after granting all necessary permissions? You're not alone! Many developers encounter this problem, as the Android operating system has become stricter with file access for security and privacy reasons. In this guide, we'll explore the common causes of this issue and provide a straightforward solution.

The Problem

When you attempt to read or write data to external storage after checking that permissions are granted, you may find that the application still cannot access the files. For instance, you might have these lines of code in your application:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

When running this, you may see logs indicating that permissions are granted (WRITE=true, READ=true), but you still find that canRead and canWrite return false:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Analyzing the Issue

This problem often stems from changes in how Android manages external storage starting from Android 10 (API level 29). The new Scoped Storage model restricts apps' access to device storage to protect user privacy. Hence, although permissions are granted, the app may still be blocked from interacting with certain parts of external storage.

Key Takeaways:

Android 10 introduced Scoped Storage, changing how apps can access external storage.

Even with permissions granted, the app may face access restrictions.

The Solution: Request Legacy External Storage

To resolve the inability to read or write external storage, you can revert to the legacy storage model by adding a line to your AndroidManifest.xml file. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Open your AndroidManifest.xml file.

Locate the <application> tag.

Add the following attribute to the <application> tag:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Save your changes and rebuild your project.

Explanation of the Solution

By adding android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true" to your manifest, you inform Android that your application wants to temporarily revert to the older storage access model. This allows you to access files in external storage just like you did before the implementation of Scoped Storage.

Important Note

This solution is effective for apps targeting Android 10 (API level 29). However, Google encourages developers to adopt scoped storage best practices for future compatibility with upcoming Android versions.

Conclusion

In summary, if you've experienced issues with reading or writing to external storage despite having the correct permissions granted, adding android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true" to your manifest can resolve these problems. While this is a temporary fix, it's important to adapt to newer storage paradigms as Android evolves. If you have any questions or further issues, feel free to leave a comment below!

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