⏹ StorageAccess Extension: Simplifying Storage Permissions in MIT App Inventor

[vknow360]

I didn't see the video earlier.
If you are not able to access files even after using SAF Picker then you have done something incorrectly in your blocks.

@Black_Knight

Storage Access Framework (SAF)

Regarding SAF, here it is

SAF: App Inventor implementation of Storage Access Framework

1.Introduction Description: Basically AI2 wrapper of Storage Access Framework. Using this extension, you can get read and/or write access to a single document or tree document (and all of its children recursively). Latest Version: 1.3 Released: 2021-09-16T18:30:00Z (UTC) Last Updated: 2023-11-15T18:30:00Z (UTC) 2.Blocks [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] 3.Documentation Events ErrorOccurred Event indicating error/excep…

[Black_Knight]

This extesnion does not directly deal with the Storage Access Framework (SAF). Instead, it focuses on managing storage permissions and retrieving the grant access status.

[vknow360]

@Black_Knight

For non-media files, apps need to use the Storage Access Framework (SAF) to interact with files. This allows users to select specific files or directories that your app can access. (solved by this extension)

@Black_Knight

This extesnion does not directly deal with the Storage Access Framework (SAF). Instead, it focuses on managing storage permissions and retrieving the grant access status.

I think you should be more specific about your words.

If you are using SAF then there is no need to ask for MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, but in the preview video you have shown that you were unable to upload file without this permission. How is that even possible?
It all seems so confusing to me.

[Gordon_Lu]

Google Play will also reject your app with this permission (most of the time).

How to request and grant MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission

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 s…

[Black_Knight]

@Black_Knight

Clarification
Starting from Android 11 (SDK level 30), Google introduced scoped storage which limits access to external storage by apps for better privacy. Here are the details:

• Apps can still read and write files in their own specific directories in external storage.
• For media files (Images, Videos, Audio), apps can use the MediaStore API to access shared storage.
• For non-media files, apps need to use the Storage Access Framework (SAF) to interact with files. This allows users to select specific files or directories that your app can access. (solved by this extension)

in the video, I used a device with Android 11 (SDK30) so I had to request access to get non-media files (like PDF)

[vknow360]

@Black_Knight

I had to request access to get non-media files (like PDF)

You can get access to all type of files with SAF. See preview video of this extension:

[PAID] PdfBook: Create eBooks with ease [$8 or INR 551]

1. Introduction Description: Create eBooks from local pdf or remote pdf with real-time experience of reading a book Latest Version: 1 Released: 2023-05-29T18:30:00Z (UTC) Last Updated: 2023-05-29T18:30:00Z (UTC) 2. Blocks [image] [image] 3. Usage First set properties (Optional) [image] If AudioFile is in assets, a sound will play when you flip the pages. So keep the duration as small as possible. Then initialize book viewer [image] RemovePdfBook detaches previous viewer from its pa…

[Black_Knight]

You are correct, I know this,
Cause Google’s policy requires that apps justify the need for this permission and demonstrate core functionality that requires such broad access to manage all files. Without a legitimate need for this permission, apps may be rejected from the Google Play Store.

[Black_Knight]

@vknow360

You can get access to all type of files with SAF. See preview video of this extension:

in the video, I could upload images, videos, or even Audio files by default before requesting access

@Black_Knight

• Apps can still read and write files in their own specific directories in external storage.
• For media files (Images, Videos, Audio), apps can use the MediaStore API to access shared storage.

but if I decided to pick any other file types I had to request this permission .

@Black_Knight

For non-media files, apps need to use the Storage Access Framework (SAF) to interact with files. This allows users to select specific files or directories that your app can access. (solved by this extension)

[vknow360]

@Black_Knight

if I decided to pick any other file types I had to request this permission .

Which extension did you use to pick files?

[Black_Knight]

I use Activity starter

[vknow360]

Use SAF and you will find that you can access all documents without any need of permission.

[Black_Knight]

do you mean SAF Picker ?

SAF: App Inventor implementation of Storage Access Framework

1.Introduction Description: Basically AI2 wrapper of Storage Access Framework. Using this extension, you can get read and/or write access to a single document or tree document (and all of its children recursively). Latest Version: 1.3 Released: 2021-09-16T18:30:00Z (UTC) Last Updated: 2023-11-15T18:30:00Z (UTC) 2.Blocks [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] 3.Documentation Events ErrorOccurred Event indicating error/excep…

[vknow360]

Yes.

[Black_Knight]

Ok I will definitely give it a try thanks @vknow360

[Anke]

@vknow360

It all seems so confusing to me.

Yes, this will only confuse most users and everything has already been explained in detail in this guide:

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 permi…

[rabmax]

Hello, I stumbled upon this post created by you nine months ago. Thanks to your extension, I managed to complete my app. However, I still have some issues, and I kindly ask if you could please send me the AIA file of the video so that I can better understand the functioning or the logic of your extension. Let me explain further, I am currently unable to find the logic "if the permissions are granted, then do". Best regards.

[Black_Knight]

@rabmax

I am currently unable to find the logic "if the permissions are granted, then do"

This block returns true when successfully granted and false for counter.

[rabmax]

@Black_Knight

This block returns true when successfully granted and false for counter.

Hi Black_Knight, thanks for the answer, but i can t see the block that you mentioned.

[TIMAI2]

I presume it is this one:

See first post

[rabmax]

Timai2, this is the block tha i am actualy using. I am sure that imake something wrong.

and this block to grand storage acess