File reading problem with Android 11

[Ramon]

have you taken a look at this?

How to access non-media & media files on Android 11+

Access to non-media files on Android 11+ On Android 11+, non-media files (like txt, pdf, csv, ...) can be accessed if and only if the text files are in the → ASD or in the → Private dir (i.e. were saved there), or the text files are in one of the Shared folders /Documents or /Download and these files were created by the app itself, or SAF is used, or MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE* permission is requested and granted. *` This is not really an option, because an app that requests this permission…

[Anke]

@DECOMEDICAL

The BTDEVICE.txt file to be read is saved by another app

Then you need SAF.

[DECOMEDICAL]

but isn't there a file extension that solves this?

[Kevinkun]

Where is the Btdevice.Txt file come from?
Possible to download it from somewhere like internet by this app, then open it in the app?

[DECOMEDICAL]

no this file is saved by another app in the Downloads folder

I'm trying with SAF
Could you give me an example of how to read the content in the text file located in /Download/BTDEVICE.txt

[vknow360]

OpenSingleDocument > Let user choose file manually > Get Uri > Read from Uri
For example:

SAF: App Inventor implementation of Storage Access Framework

Create a text file in an external folder of your choice from the Root Directory and write to it. SAF_CreateTextFile.aia (31.8 KB) Note: Add the SAF extension first! Can be tested on your device via Companion or as an APK. [Screenshot] [blocks]

[Anke]

@vknow360

OpenDocumentTree > Let user choose file manually > Get Uri > Read from Uri

This doesn't work for the folder /Download (and also not for the root dir of the external storage).

[Anke]

@DECOMEDICAL

Could you give me an example of how to read the content in the text file located in /Download

This is all you need:

[DECOMEDICAL]

@Anke

This is all you need:

ok it works... but the Download directory window opens and I have to manually select the BTDEVICE.txt file
How can I avoid it?

[vknow360]

@DECOMEDICAL

but the Download directory window opens and I have to manually select the BTDEVICE.txt file

That's the whole point of using Storage Access Framework. User interaction is must at least one time.

[DECOMEDICAL]

@vknow360

That's the whole point of using Storage Access Framework. User interaction is must at least one time.

so there is no way I can read the contents of a text file in the Downloads folder with android 11 without user iteration?

[Anke]

Yes you can, if you request und grant MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.

[DECOMEDICAL]

Anke, thanks for your interest, could you give me a concrete example of how to set MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE with appinventor?

I remind you that I have to read, in the Download folder, a file saved by another app...

Unfortunately we are subject to these strange initiatives from Google which only create avoidable problems...

I followed this guide but the settings window opens to give permission to the app but my app doesn't appear in the list at all...??

https://community.appinventor.mit.edu/t/how-to-request-and-grant-manage-external-storage-permission/44584

[Anke]

Did you try this test app?

manageExtStorage_SDK33.apk

[DECOMEDICAL]

Anke perfect with this app it works..

can I have the appinventor blocks...?

[Anke]

See here: How to request and grant MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission

[DECOMEDICAL]

ANKE, thank you so much,

Reading the file is ok...

one last thing,Why do I get the file not found error when I start the 11.mp4 video?
Am I wrong about setting the path...?

[Anke]

@DECOMEDICAL

Why do I get the file not found error when I start the 11.mp4 video?

file:///... (3 slashes)
and try also an absolute path:
/storage/emulated/0/Download/11.mp4
or a full path:
file:///storage/emulated/0/Download/11.mp4

[Taifun]

@DECOMEDICAL

could you give me a concrete example of how to set MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE with appinventor

Have you seen this note in the tutorial?

Be aware that this permission is usually not granted by Google.

If you want to publish you app in Google Play this is not the way to go...

Taifun

[DECOMEDICAL]

thanks I solved: