Use new "scope" properties File

MIT App Inventor Help
#1

Hello,
I am creating an application that needs to read and write many files and directories.
The user must be able to have direct access to these directories to put files there himself.
I am testing the application on two devices, a tablet and a phone.
With this simple block, I don't have the same result.

image

On the tablet, the directory is created but on the phone, I have an error message.

"Cannot create directory at /Storage/emulated/0/Gestion_hand"

Both are under andoid 11 with the same permissions on multimedia files.

Thanks

#2

Set the path to /Download/Gestion_hand
Taifun

2 Likes
#3

After targetSdkVersion=30 you can no longer create your own subdirectories in the root dir of the external storage on Android 11+ devices. (Note: this is also not possible using SAF.)

But you can do it in one of the Shared folders like

  • /Documents
  • /Download
  • /DCIM
  • /Pictures
  • /Music
    ...

See also here:

2 Likes
#4

Hello,
Thank you for your answers, I suspected that the solution was on the shareable folder.
But what I don't understand is why it works on the tablet and not on the phone. Both are under android 11 and with the same permission ???

#5

Show the blocks that will be used to create the folder.
Are you absolutely sure that both devices are running Android 11?

#6

@Anke

Based upon what you have said above.....

Compiled app, Android 13

Attempting to create a sub directory in the shared /Documents folder

image
image718×126 14.2 KB

This throws the good old 908 WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE error

Any previous folder called MyFolder has been deleted.
DefaultFileScope = App

The blocks work just fine in Companion

:question:

#7

What happens, if you first ask for write permission?
Taifun

#8

App returns the same 908 error (and folder not created)

Added Anke's MFile extension, this does create the directory :slight_smile:
(but now I need to copy files from the ASD to /Documents/MyFolder, this doesn't work with the file component, and no copy blocks in MFile - ah, hang on, need to put some files in the ASD :upside_down_face: - edit, no does not copy )

#9

Which looks like a bug... @ewpatton do you agree?

Taifun

#10

hmmm

Perhaps this helps to explain

There are these little nuggets from Anke spread all over the community, just a case of using the correct search terms. It is getting them in chronological order that matters :slight_smile:

#11

I really don't know how many times I've pointed out this bug (I haven't gotten any feedback from the MIT team on it yet). I will definitely not link there anymore.

WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE must be declared in the Manifest also on Android 11+. There is ONLY one way to do this, namely to set DefaultFileScope = Legacy.

1 Like
#12

That helps to round off what was said earlier in the topic then :smiley:

#13

Tested on Android 13 compiled

Default filescope set to Legacy
Extension DeclareReadWrite (MIT - please add this functionality)

Using native File component, able to:

  • Create directory in /Documents (MyFolder)
  • Copy files from Assets to ASD (I believe this already worked?)
  • Copy files from ASD to /Documents/MyFolder
  • Access and upload files in /Documents/MyFolder from a Webviewer (more on that to come!)
  • Delete files in /Documents/MyFolder

Brilliant!

Thank you @Anke
:smiley: :+1:

(I will get the hang of all this one day, hopefully before it all changes again :upside_down_face: )

#14

Here is the explanation & the Solution: