Scoped Storage won't allow FileInputStream access to file in DOWNLOADS, is there a workaround? - android-external-storage

Question

I import data from a downloaded spreadsheet into a Room database. This is what I need to do :
String filePath = Environment
.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS)
.getAbsolutePath();
String fileName = context.getString(R.my_file_name);
File importFile = new File(filePath + File.separator, fileName);
try {
FileInputStream stream = new FileInputStream(importFile);
// do stuff
} catch (Exception e1) {e1.printStackTrace();}
So, this doesn't work anymore(?) I haven't been able to find a concise explanation (in JAVA) of how to accomplish this simple operation going forward without asking for the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (an unacceptable solution) Help from the gurus?

Answer 1

So, need to set up intent in manifest, and leave old permissions for legacy android
Manifest:
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
android:maxSdkVersion="28"/>
<application
android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true"
>
<activity
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
</application>
in mainActivity, set up file picker, create method to launch the picker, and create method to process picker result.
Main Activity :
private ActivityResultLauncher<Intent> launchFilePicker;
public File importFile;
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
filePath = Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(
Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS).
getAbsolutePath();
launchFilePicker = registerForActivityResult(
new ActivityResultContract<Intent, Uri>() {
#NonNull
#Override
public Intent createIntent(#NonNull Context context, Intent input) {
return input;
}
#Override
public Uri parseResult(int resultCode, #Nullable Intent result) {
if (result == null || resultCode != Activity.RESULT_OK) {
return null;
}
return result.getData();
}
},
this::getFileFromUri);
...
public void launchFileFinder() {
Intent pickerIntent = new Intent(ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
pickerIntent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
pickerIntent.setType(" your mime type ");
pickerIntent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, Environment
.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS));
launchFilePicker.launch(pickerIntent);
}
...
public void getFileFromUri(Uri result) {
String fileName = context.getString(R.my_file_name);
File importFile = new File(filePath + File.separator, fileName);
InputStream stream = null;
try {
stream = AppMainActivity.this.getContentResolver().openInputStream(result);
} catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
if (stream != null) {
try {
FileInputStream stream = new FileInputStream(importFile);
} catch (IOException | InvalidFormatException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
}
}