How to request and grant MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission

Anke · October 29, 2021, 5:23pm

In this guide I show you, how to request and grant → MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE on devices with Android 11+. Be aware that this permission is usually not granted by Google. However, let’s assume the app is only intended for private use or for special users or for other app stores.

This permission must be declared in the Manifest (since it is not declared the Companion app you can't test this with Companion):

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>

Here is a small extension that declares this permission automatically in the Manifest (and let you check the API level of the device):
AllFilesPermission.aix (4.3 KB)

UPDATE (April 27, 2025): "HasAllFilesAccess" added, AllFilesPermission_2.aix

Currently you must still set → DefaultFileScope to → Legacy in the Designer.

EDIT on September 29, 2023: These blocks & the APK don't work since the nb193 release (targetSdkVersion= 33) on Android 13+ because there is another bug with the File component:

Blocks

EDIT: Google Drive link removed (since outdated)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12JU9RLj-zvx5N4tUerLsl1Wm-ZZrYDyG/view?usp=sharing

New version since nb193 release (targetSdkVersion= 33). I used the MFile extension instead of the File component:

patel · October 29, 2021, 8:03pm

I can not read the complete text
android.settings.MANAGE_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISS.... ???

TIMAI2 · October 29, 2021, 8:15pm

android.settings.MANAGE_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION

patel · October 30, 2021, 6:19am

I tested Anke's extension with this blocks, it runs, I can read my file, but all times opens file access window.

How can I request permission first time only ?

patel · October 30, 2021, 6:36am

my solution

Anke · October 30, 2021, 6:36am

After the permission is granted and you can save the text file e.g. in the root dir of the external storage, you can set Button1 to invisible since this is no longer needed:

patel · October 30, 2021, 6:38am

Thank you Anke for sharing your knowhow

Anke · October 30, 2021, 6:55am

Know_About_IT · October 30, 2021, 7:08am

why blocks seem bit different to me

Anke · October 30, 2021, 7:16am

What does that mean?

patel · October 30, 2021, 7:58am

I think we need
blocks2

Anke · October 30, 2021, 8:09am

No, why?

Know_About_IT · October 30, 2021, 1:38pm

UI of input for blocks seems different to me

Kumaraswamy · October 30, 2021, 1:40pm

Those are inlined, you can right-click on the block to inline it.

patel · October 30, 2021, 5:47pm

Here my blocks, if I don't use "if all tinyDB1.getvalue = false it shows all times access window

Anke · October 31, 2021, 6:47am

Ulrich_Bien · November 6, 2021, 11:31am

Here you'll find instruction how to patch the companion to get additional permissions: https://ullisroboterseite.de/android-ai2-faq.html?topic=patchcompanion

patel · November 7, 2021, 7:27am

I can not understand how this patch can help to get manage permission

Anke · November 7, 2021, 8:29am

Add this line to the Manifest of the MIT_Companion.APK

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>

These are then all declared permissions:

Permissions

    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.bluetooth" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.location" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.telephony" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.location.network" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.location.gps" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.microphone" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.touchscreen" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera.autofocus" android:required="false"/>
    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.wifi"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CONTACTS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.googleapps.permission.GOOGLE_AUTH"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CALL_PHONE"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.NFC"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_ACCOUNTS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SEND_SMS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.VIBRATE"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCOUNT_MANAGER"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.apps.googlevoice.permission.RECEIVE_SMS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.apps.googlevoice.permission.SEND_SMS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_MOCK_LOCATION"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_LOCATION_EXTRA_COMMANDS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_LOGS"/>
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>

If you use this version, you can also test your apps (that request MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) with Companion.

patel · November 7, 2021, 10:15am

But I need your extension for using installed app ?