Filesystem access

[CampelloManuel]

We have to find a way to keep SD sync and json backup working.
This issue details all problems related to filesystem access

For android API >= 29 the File API used everywhere in this app does not work: we can't save backups in Downloads/ , it says "file not found". But in Android/data/.../ it works.
For android API < 29 it works but needs the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.

The recommended solution is to replace file access with DocumentFile, using the Storage Access Framework and the system's built-in filepicker. Already finished for the json backups, but the org files will keep using the File API: the code uses File objects instead of URIs, so enabling this is just too much work.

We use an hardcoded folder, /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/packagename/files for ORG files.

• That folder is the least likely to cause problems
• no need to change most app code
• Users can stil manually move and edit org files with their file manager app
• if someone needs the content of those ORG files we can add an on-demand export function or an android content provider to query the note data
• easier to use, no folder to choose

An attempt was made to use the MediaStore API, but it was too unreliable and discomfortable to use.
Interested readers can look for MediaStoreHelper in #455
Where the File API is blocked by Google, we use the Storage Access Framework

[CampelloManuel]

If you want to ask something related to saving/reading files in this app, feel free to use this thread.

I'll close the issue since I have no intention of working on this in the near future.
I tested backups and org files sync and they work on the devices I use.

[est61]

We use an hardcoded folder, /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/packagename/files for ORG files.

Hi @CampelloManuel @spacecowboy

This is a problem, as on Android 16, i am unable to access Android/data with syncthing(BasicSync) like i did in Android 10, so i can no longer sync that dir, and neither can i change the file path of the notes.

Is it possible you can allow the user so that they're able to change their storage to wherever they want instead of hardcoding it?

I love this app and I really dont want to move to another notes app just because of this issue

[CampelloManuel]

@est61 yes it is possible, for example we could ask the user to pick a folder to save the org files.
However, I don't have time to dedicate to this feature.
I focus on basic maintenance to ensure the core features keep working on newer Android versions.
I will review and accept pull requests, but I can't promise I will implement this feature in the short term.