How can I share files in my app's private data directory?

[Michael_Wood]

If I save a filename without a slash (file1) what should the file path be when using ShareFile? Delete and ReadFrom both work fine with just the file name, but not ShareFile.

The ExternalStorage block below works fine, but what should X be in the PrivateAppStorage block? I've tried everything I can think of but without success. (I am using Moto G5 with Android 8.1.0 and a Samsung A50 with Android 10 and legacy mode switched on.)

I first had this problem a year ago, but gave up trying to make ShareFile work because it was easy to use other apps like Google Drive to share files. Now when Android 10 and 11 kick in this won't work, so the problem is now more urgent (http://appinventor.mit.edu/blogs/evan/2020/08/08/file-path-updates-android-10).

I have a couple of very useful apps which depend on saving and sharing files and am getting very frustrated. Please help!

Many thanks ... Michael

[Taifun]

you might want to experiment using this extension

Get the path of the ASD - app-specific directory

Here is an extension to get the ASD (path of app specific directory) which is becoming more and more important on Android 10 and above. de.bodymindpower.GetASD.aix (5.9 KB) [grafik] You can also get this with the TaifunFile extension from @Taifun or the FileTools extension from @vknow360. But if you only need the path of the ASD: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/<packageName>/files [grafik] you can also take this small extension (5.9 instead of > 32 KB).

also @Anke already did a lot of experiments, you can find them here https://community.appinventor.mit.edu/search?q=%40Anke%20ASD and here https://community.appinventor.mit.edu/search?q=%40Anke%20private%20

Taifun

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Trying to push the limits! Snippets, Tutorials and Extensions from Pura Vida Apps by Taifun.

[Michael_Wood]

Hi

Many thanks for your help. I'll look at the detailed links later, but I can't get your suggested path to work on either phone (Android 8.10 and 10). I've tried substituting the following for X in the second block above:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/FE/files/file1
and
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/FE/file1
(The AppName on the Designer screen is FE so the apk file is FE.apk. In each case I get a file not found error.)

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Michael

[Michael_Wood]

.... the two paths above should end with .txt for consistency with the saved file of course

[Michael_Wood]

I've now downloaded Anke's extension to get the ASD for my app (called FE2). This is /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/appinventor.ai_mickofemsworth.FE2/files . I then tried the path /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/appinventor.ai_mickofemsworth.FE2/files/filename in the Sharefile block to share a file I saved as filename. Unfortunately I got the same file not found error. I also tried saving the file using the long path which resulted in a file could not be created error. I'm probably doing something stupid but I haven't a clue what. Any suggestions??

Many thanks.

[Anke]

Post your (relevant) blocks.

[patel]

try this path
file:///emulated/0/Android/data/appinventor.ai_mickofemsworth.FE2/files/filename

[Michael_Wood]

The Save block works (I can read the file) but the Sharefile block produces a file not found error.

[Michael_Wood]

Thanks but I'm afraid it doesn't work - another file not found error.

[Taifun]

@Michael_Wood

Thanks but I'm afraid it doesn't work

you are storing the file to the private app directory but you are trying to share it from the application specific directory, which is different
you might want to save the file to the ASD, you can use a method rom @Anke's extension for this...

Taifun

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Trying to push the limits! Snippets, Tutorials and Extensions from Pura Vida Apps by Taifun.

[Taifun]

see also

ASD (app specific directory) vs Private folder

The ASD is in the → external storage, the Private dir is in the → internal storage. See also here:

Taifun

[Anke]

@Michael_Wood

The Save block works (I can read the file) but the Sharefile block produces a file not found error

Yes,

1. The Sharing component cannot share a file from the Private dir.
2. You try to share it from the ASD as @Taifun said. So do what Taifun suggest:

@Taifun

you might want to save the file to the ASD

[Anke]

@Michael_Wood

but the Sharefile block produces a file not found error

There is a bug with the Sharing component. → @ewpatton
It needs the absolute path, but the File.AfterFileSaved event returns the relative path.

Therefore try this:

[patel]

this code runs well on android 10! Legacy mode to be unchecked

[Anke]

@patel

code runs well on android 10

Yes, but not on devices with Android < 10, as I have shown.
So keep using my blocks until the bug is fixed.

[patel]

@Anke

So keep using my blocks until the bug is fixed

why using these blocks I can not share the file ?

[Anke]

@patel

I can not share the file ?

How about taking a close look at my blocks?

[Michael_Wood]

Thanks for this Taifun. I have tried saving the file to the path given by Anke's ASD extension but this doesn't work. You say I can use a method from @Anke's extension for this, but I can't find it - please can you tell me where it is?

[Anke]

@Michael_Wood

I have tried saving the file to the path given by Anke's ASD extension but this doesn't work.

What does not work?
Show your blocks.

[patel]

@patel

why using these blocks I can not share the file ?

The blocks was correct, but file1 was in legacy mode, when unchecked no problem to find file for sharing