Develop Reference

How to track the path of the file On some other Application

I have an requirement on my app that is , i have to track the file path and second i have to track the time of the file if that file is opened in some other application . I had researched everything but still not figuring out how to start . I know it's challenging and brain stroke implementation , but i need proper idea to move ahead .
I have achieved to create a file (file is of any kind .pdf/.docs etc)inside a folder . Now what i need if any one open the file in any other app then i have to first get the path of the file and secondly i have to track the time at what time the file is opened and closed . Here is the way i created the folder and dumped the file inside it . Now i have to read the file path and file opened in other app .
#Override
protected File doInBackground(FileMetadata... params) {
FileMetadata metadata = params[0];
//pathOfFileToSaved --> eg flight/ticket/vilash.pdf , flight/other/suman.docs
String folder_name = pathOfFileToSaved;
// File f = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), folder_main);
try {
File path = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/" + folder_name);
Log.e("pathoffile",""+path);
File file = new File(path, metadata.getName());
// Make sure the Downloads directory exists.
if (!path.exists()) {
if (!path.mkdirs()) {
mException = new RuntimeException("Unable to create directory: " + path);
}
} else if (!path.isDirectory()) {
mException = new IllegalStateException("Download path is not a directory: " + path);
return null;
}
// Download the file.
try (OutputStream outputStream = new FileOutputStream(file)) {
mDbxClient.files().download(metadata.getPathLower(), metadata.getRev())
.download(outputStream);
}
// Tell android about the file
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE);
intent.setData(Uri.fromFile(file));
mContext.sendBroadcast(intent);
return file;
} catch (DbxException | IOException e) {
mException = e;
}
return null;
}

How to detect if a filename exists (with any extension) in android

I want to return true if filename exists regardless its extension.
I am using following method:
File file = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + Images/","filename.*");
if(file.exists())
{
return true;
}
There is a jpg file in this directory, if I search for "filename.jpg", it returns true, but in case of "filename.*" it returns false.
Is there any way to return true if filename is same but with any extension?

Try this
File Imagefolder = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "Images/");
File[] listOfFiles = Imagefolder.listFiles();
for (File file : listOfFiles)
{
if (file.isFile())
{
String[] filename = file.getName().split("\\.(?=[^\\.]+$)"); //split filename from it's extension
if(filename[0].equalsIgnoreCase("filename"))
// file exists do what ever you want to do
}
}

Error: open failed: ENOENT (No such file or directory)

I was trying to create a file to save pictures from the camera, it turns out that I can't create the file.
But I really can't find the mistake. Can you have a look at it and give me some advice?
private File createImageFile(){
File imageFile=null;
String stamp=new SimpleDateFormat("yyyyMMdd_HHmmss").format(new Date());
File dir= Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES);
String imageFileName="JPEG_"+stamp+"_";
try {
imageFile=File.createTempFile(imageFileName,".jpg",dir);
} catch (IOException e) {
Log.d("YJW",e.getMessage());
}
return imageFile;
}
And I have added the permission.
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
The method always gives such mistakes:
open failed: ENOENT (No such file or directory)

The Pictures directory might not exist yet. It's not guaranteed to be there.
In the API documentation for getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(), the code ensures the directory exists using mkdirs:
File path = Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(
Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES);
File file = new File(path, "DemoPicture.jpg");
try {
// Make sure the Pictures directory exists.
path.mkdirs();
...so it may be as simple as adding that path.mkdirs() to your existing code before you createTempFile.

when a user picks a file from the gallery, there is no guarantee that the file that was picked was added or edited by some other app. So, if the user picks on a file that let’s say belongs to another app we would run into the permission issues. A quick fix for that is to add this code in the AndroidManifest.xml file:
<manifest ... >
<application android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true" ... >
...
</application>
</manifest>
Note: For Android 11 refer Scope storage Enforcement Policy https://developer.android.com/about/versions/11/privacy/storage

Replace:
Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(
Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES)
With:
private File createImageFile() throws IOException {
// Create an image file name
make sure you call:
mkdirs() // and not mkdir()
Here's the code that should work for you:
String timeStamp = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyyMMdd_HHmmss").format(new Date());
String imageFileName = "JPEG_" + timeStamp + "_";
File storageDir = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().toString(), "whatever_directory_existing_or_not/sub_dir_if_needed/");
storageDir.mkdirs(); // make sure you call mkdirs() and not mkdir()
File image = File.createTempFile(
imageFileName, // prefix
".jpg", // suffix
storageDir // directory
);
// Save a file: path for use with ACTION_VIEW intents
mCurrentPhotoPath = "file:" + image.getAbsolutePath();
Log.e("our file", image.toString());
return image;
}
I had a bad experience following the example given in Android Studio Documentation and I found out that there are many others experiencing the same about this particular topic here in stackoverflow, that is because even if we set
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
the problem persists in some devices.
My experience was that the example worked when I tried it in debug mode, after that 3 more tests it so happened that my SD suddenly was corrupted, but I don't think it has to do with their example (funny). I bought a new SD card and tried it again, only to realize that still both release and debug mode did the same error log: directory does not exist ENOENT. Finally, I had to create the directories myself whick will contain the captured pictures from my phone's camera. And I was right, it works just perfect.
I hope this helps you and others out there searching for answers.

A quick fix for that is to add this code in the AndroidManifest.xml file:
<manifest ... >
<application android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true" ... >
...
</application>
</manifest>
Note: Applicable for API level 29 or Higher

I used the contentResolver with the URI and it worked for me. Saw it in another SO post which i can't find.
private String getRealPathFromURI(Uri contentURI) {
String result;
Cursor cursor = getContentResolver().query(contentURI, null, null, null, null);
if (cursor == null) {
result = contentURI.getPath();
} else {
cursor.moveToFirst();
int idx = cursor.getColumnIndex(MediaStore.Images.ImageColumns.DATA);
result = cursor.getString(idx);
cursor.close();
}
return result;
}
hope it helps....

I have solved like this:
public Intent getImageCaptureIntent(File mFile) {
Intent mIntent = new Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE);
Uri photoURI = FileProvider.getUriForFile(this, BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + ".provider", mFile);
mIntent.putExtra(MediaStore.EXTRA_OUTPUT, photoURI);
// The tip is this code below
List<ResolveInfo> resInfoList = getPackageManager().queryIntentActivities(mIntent, PackageManager.MATCH_DEFAULT_ONLY);
for (ResolveInfo resolveInfo : resInfoList) {
String packageName = resolveInfo.activityInfo.packageName;
grantUriPermission(packageName, photoURI, Intent.FLAG_GRANT_WRITE_URI_PERMISSION | Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
}
return mIntent;
}

If you are using kotlin then use below function.
you have to provide a path for storing image, a Bitmap (in this case a image) and if you want to decrease the quality of the image then provide %age i.e 50%.
fun cacheLocally(localPath: String, bitmap: Bitmap, quality: Int = 100) {
val file = File(localPath)
file.createNewFile()
val ostream = FileOutputStream(file)
bitmap.compress(Bitmap.CompressFormat.JPEG, quality, ostream)
ostream.flush()
ostream.close()
}
hope it will work.

Try this:
private File createImageFile() throws IOException {
String timeStamp = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyyMMdd_HHmmss").format(new Date());
String imageFileName="JPEG_"+stamp+".jpg";
File photo = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), imageFileName);
return photo;
}

File dirPath = Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES);
File imageFile = new File(dirPath, "YourPicture.jpg");
try {
if(!dirPath.isDirectory()) {
dirPath.mkdirs();
}
imageFile.createNewFile();
} catch(Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}

I got same error while saving Bitmap to External Directory and found a helpful trick
private void save(Bitmap bitmap) {
String timeStamp = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyyMMdd_HHmmss", Locale.getDefault()).format(new Date());
String imageFileName = timeStamp + ".png";
String path = MediaStore.Images.Media.insertImage(activity.getContentResolver(), bitmap, imageFileName, null);
Uri uriimage = Uri.parse(path);
// you made it, make fun
}
But this have a drawback i.e. you cant change the Directory it always save images to Pictures directory but if you got it fixed fill free to edit my code:
Haa-ha-ha {I can't use emojis with my keyboard}, Good Day

Following are fixes i found
first add these two lines in your AndroidManifest file
Than add the below line just after setContentView method
ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(FullImageActivity.this,
new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE},
REQUEST_CODE);
and for saving the images in gallery use the below code
private void SaveImageToGallery() {
BitmapDrawable drawable = (BitmapDrawable) imageView.getDrawable();
Bitmap bitmap = drawable.getBitmap();
FileOutputStream outputStream = null;
File file = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
File dir = new File(file.getAbsolutePath()+"/folderName");
dir.mkdirs();
String filename = String.format("%d.jpg",System.currentTimeMillis());
File outfile = new File(dir,filename);
try{
outputStream = new FileOutputStream(outfile);
bitmap.compress(Bitmap.CompressFormat.JPEG,100,outputStream);
outputStream.flush();
outputStream.close();
}catch(Exception e){
Log.d("SavingError", "SaveImageToGallery: "+e.getMessage());
}
Toast.makeText(this, "Image saved in folderName folder", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}

Android app - how to write to Android device's Documents folder?

I want to create a XML file inside my Android app.
This file I want to write into the documents folder of my Android device.
Later I want to connect my Android device to my PC using USB and read that XML file out of the documents folder.
My Device is an Android Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1, Android 4.4.2.
I tried already:
String fileName = "example.xml";
String myDirectory = "myDirectory";
String externalStorage = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getAbsolutePath();
File outputFile = new File(externalStorage + File.separator + myDirectory + File.separator + fileName);
But no file is created. I also want later to read that file out of the documents folder into may app again.
Any help is appreciated, thanks!

I know this is late, but you can get the documents directory like this:
File dir = Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOCUMENTS);
File file = new File(dir, "example.txt");
//Write to file
try (FileWriter fileWriter = new FileWriter(file)) {
fileWriter.append("Writing to file!");
} catch (IOException e) {
//Handle exception
}

Set permission in Android Manifest
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
Use this code to write to external directory
String fileName = "example.xml";
String dirName = "MyDirectory";
String contentToWrite = "Your Content Goes Here";
File myDir = new File("sdcard", dirName);
/*if directory doesn't exist, create it*/
if(!myDir.exists())
myDir.mkdirs();
File myFile = new File(myDir, fileName);
/*Write to file*/
try {
FileWriter fileWriter = new FileWriter(myFile);
fileWriter.append(contentToWrite);
fileWriter.flush();
fileWriter.close();
}
catch(IOException e){
e.printStackTrace();
}

Before creating file you have to create directory in which you are saving the file.
Try like this one:-
String fileName = "example.xml";
String myDirectory = "myDirectory";
String externalStorage = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getAbsolutePath();
File outputDirectory = new File(externalStorage + File.separator + myDirectory );
if(!outputDirectory.exist()){
outputDirectory.mkDir();
}
File outputFile = new File(externalStorage + File.separator + myDirectory + File.separator + fileName);
outputFile.createFile();

Try restarting you device and then check if the file exists. If so, you are creating it (which it looks like you should be based on your code) but it is not showing up until the media is scanned on your device. Try implementing MediaScannerConnectionClient so it will show become visible after creation.
public class MainActivity extends Activity implements MediaScannerConnectionClient {
private MediaScannerConnection msConn;
private File example;
...
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
...
msConn = new MediaScannerConnection(this.getApplicationContext(), this);
String dir = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/Documents/";
example = new File(dir, "example.xml");
msConn.connect();
}
#Override
public void onMediaScannerConnected() {
msConn.scanFile(example.getAbsolutePath(), null);
}
#Override
public void onScanCompleted(String path, Uri uri) {
msConn.disconnect();
}

From Android 10 onwards, Android started using Scoped Storage model to protect user privacy.
If you want to share this file with the User, then you should write this file in Shared Storage. To write a file in Shared Storage, this has to be done in 3 steps:-
Step 1: Launch System Picker to choose the destination by the user. This will return Uri of the destination directory.
private ActivityResultLauncher<Intent> launcher; // Initialise this object in Activity.onCreate()
private Uri baseDocumentTreeUri;
public void launchBaseDirectoryPicker() {
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);
launcher.launch(intent);
}
Step 2: Launch System Picker to choose the destination by the user. This will return the Uri of the destination directory. Also, you can optionally persist the permissions and Uri for future use.
#Override
public void onActivityResult(ActivityResult result) {
if (result.getResultCode() == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
baseDocumentTreeUri = Objects.requireNonNull(result.getData()).getData();
final int takeFlags = (Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION | Intent.FLAG_GRANT_WRITE_URI_PERMISSION);
// take persistable Uri Permission for future use
context.getContentResolver().takePersistableUriPermission(result.getData().getData(), takeFlags);
SharedPreferences preferences = context.getSharedPreferences("com.example.fileutility", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
preferences.edit().putString("filestorageuri", result.getData().getData().toString()).apply();
} else {
Log.e("FileUtility", "Some Error Occurred : " + result);
}
}
Step 3: Write CSV content into a file.
public void writeFile(String fileName, String content) {
try {
DocumentFile directory = DocumentFile.fromTreeUri(context, baseDocumentTreeUri);
DocumentFile file = directory.createFile("text/*", fileName);
ParcelFileDescriptor pfd = context.getContentResolver().openFileDescriptor(file.getUri(), "w");
FileOutputStream fos = new FileOutputStream(pfd.getFileDescriptor());
fos.write(content.getBytes());
fos.close();
} catch (IOException e) {
}
}
For more explanation, you can read "How to Save a file in Shared Storage in Android 10 or Higher" or Android official documentation.

how to create a folder in android External Storage Directory?

I cannot create a folder in android External Storage Directory.
I have added permissing on manifest,
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
Here is my code:
String Path = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getPath().toString()+ "/Shidhin/ShidhiImages";
System.out.println("Path : " +Path );
File FPath = new File(Path);
if (!FPath.exists()) {
if (!FPath.mkdir()) {
System.out.println("***Problem creating Image folder " +Path );
}
}

Do it like this :
String folder_main = "NewFolder";
File f = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), folder_main);
if (!f.exists()) {
f.mkdirs();
}
If you wanna create another folder into that :
File f1 = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/" + folder_main, "product1");
if (!f1.exists()) {
f1.mkdirs();
}

The difference between mkdir and mkdirs is that mkdir does not create nonexistent parent directory, while mkdirs does, so if Shidhin does not exist, mkdir will fail. Also, mkdir and mkdirs returns true only if the directory was created. If the directory already exists they return false

getexternalstoragedirectory() is already deprecated. I got the solution it might be helpful for you. (it's a June 2021 solution)
Corresponding To incliding Api 30, Android 11 :
Now, use this commonDocumentDirPath for saving files.
Step: 1
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
Step: 2
public static File commonDocumentDirPath(String FolderName){
File dir = null ;
if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R) {
dir = new File (Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOCUMENTS)+ "/"+FolderName );
} else {
dir = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/"+FolderName);
}
return dir ;
}

The use of Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() now is deprecated since API level 29, the option is using:
Context.getExternalFilesDir().
Example:
void createExternalStoragePrivateFile() {
// Create a path where we will place our private file on external
// storage.
File file = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "DemoFile.jpg");
try {
// Very simple code to copy a picture from the application's
// resource into the external file. Note that this code does
// no error checking, and assumes the picture is small (does not
// try to copy it in chunks). Note that if external storage is
// not currently mounted this will silently fail.
InputStream is = getResources().openRawResource(R.drawable.balloons);
OutputStream os = new FileOutputStream(file);
byte[] data = new byte[is.available()];
is.read(data);
os.write(data);
is.close();
os.close();
} catch (IOException e) {
// Unable to create file, likely because external storage is
// not currently mounted.
Log.w("ExternalStorage", "Error writing " + file, e);
}
}
void deleteExternalStoragePrivateFile() {
// Get path for the file on external storage. If external
// storage is not currently mounted this will fail.
File file = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "DemoFile.jpg");
file.delete();
}
boolean hasExternalStoragePrivateFile() {
// Get path for the file on external storage. If external
// storage is not currently mounted this will fail.
File file = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "DemoFile.jpg");
return file.exists();
}

I can create a folder in android External Storage Directory.
I have added permissing on manifest,
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
Here is my code:
String folder_main = "Images";
File outerFolder = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), folder_main);
File inerDire = new File(outerFolder.getAbsoluteFile(), System.currentTimeMillis() + ".jpg");
if (!outerFolder.exists()) {
outerFolder.mkdirs();
}
if (!outerFolder.exists()) {
inerDire.createNewFile();
}
outerFolder.mkdirs(); // This will create a Folder
inerDire.createNewFile(); // This will create File (For E.g .jpg
file)

we can Create Folder or Directory on External storage as :
String myfolder=Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory()+"/"+fname;
File f=new File(myfolder);
if(!f.exists())
if(!f.mkdir()){
Toast.makeText(this, myfolder+" can't be created.", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
else
Toast.makeText(this, myfolder+" can be created.", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
and if we want to create Directory or folder on Internal Memory then we will do :
File folder = getFilesDir();
File f= new File(folder, "doc_download");
f.mkdir();
But make Sure you have given Write External Storage Permission.
And Remember that if you have no external drive then it choose by default to internal parent directory.
I'm Sure it will work .....enjoy code

If you are trying to create a folder inside your app directory in your storage.
Step 1 : Add Permission
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
Step 2 : Add the following
private String createFolder(Context context, String folderName) {
//getting app directory
final File externalFileDir = context.getExternalFilesDir(null);
//creating new folder instance
File createdDir = new File(externalFileDir.getAbsoluteFile(),folderName);
if(!createdDir.exists()){
//making new directory if it doesn't exist already
createdDir.mkdir();
}
return finalDir.getAbsolutePath() + "/" + System.currentTimeMillis() + ".txt";
}

This is raw but should be enough to get you going
// create folder external located in Data/comexampl your app file
File folder = getExternalFilesDir("yourfolder");
//create folder Internal
File file = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getPath( ) + "/RICKYH");
if (!file.exists()) {
file.mkdirs();
Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Make Dir", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}

Try adding
FPath.mkdirs();
(See http://developer.android.com/reference/java/io/File.html)
and then just save the file as needed to that path, Android OS will create all the directories needed.
You don't need to do the exists checks, just set that flag and save.
(Also see : How to create directory automatically on SD card

I found some another thing too :
I had the same problem recently, and i tryed abow solutions and they did not work...
i did this to solve my problem :
I added this permission to my project manifests file :
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
(plus READ and WRITE permissions) and my app just worked correctly.

try {
String filename = "SampleFile.txt";
String filepath = "MyFileStorage";
FileInputStream fis = new FileInputStream(myExternalFile);
DataInputStream in = new DataInputStream(fis);
BufferedReader br =
new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(in));
String strLine;
while ((strLine = br.readLine()) != null) {
myData = myData + strLine;
}
in.close();
} catch (IOException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
inputText.setText(myData);
response.setText("SampleFile.txt data retrieved from External Storage...");
}
});
if (!isExternalStorageAvailable() || isExternalStorageReadOnly()) {
saveButton.setEnabled(false);
}
else {
myExternalFile = new File(getExternalFilesDir(filepath), filename);
}