How to delete internal storage file in android?

Question

I have used the Android internal storage to save a file for my application (using openFileOutput) but I would like to delete that file, is it possible and how?

For kotlin please see this [link](https://stackoverflow.com/a/66775979/12272687) — Mori, Mar 24 '21 at 06:53

score 131 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 24 '10 at 09:06

131

File dir = getFilesDir();
File file = new File(dir, "my_filename");
boolean deleted = file.delete();

answered Aug 24 '10 at 09:06

plugmind

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what is the rule for my_filename ? – MartianMartian May 13 '22 at 09:59

score 25 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 21 '12 at 09:21

25

I know this is a bit of an oldie, but the docs say to use:

deleteFile("filename");

rather than:

File.delete();

Which if you are already using:

getFilesDir();

kind of makes sense.

answered Nov 21 '12 at 09:21

Barry

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score 9 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 20 '14 at 19:04

You should always delete files that you no longer need. The most straightforward way to delete a file is to have the opened file reference call delete() on itself.

myFile.delete();

If the file is saved on internal storage, you can also ask the Context to locate and delete a file by calling deleteFile():

myContext.deleteFile(fileName);

Note: When the user uninstalls your app, the Android system deletes the following: All files you saved on internal storage All files you saved on external storage using getExternalFilesDir(). However, you should manually delete all cached files created with getCacheDir() on a regular basis and also regularly delete other files you no longer need.

Source : http://developer.android.com/training/basics/data-storage/files.html

score 8 · Answer 4 · edited Jan 24 '17 at 10:20

8

If you want to delete all files from a folder then use the following function:

private void deleteTempFolder(String dir) {
        File myDir = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/"+dir);
        if (myDir.isDirectory()) {
            String[] children = myDir.list();
            for (int i = 0; i < children.length; i++) {
                new File(myDir, children[i]).delete();
            }
        }
    }

Folder must be present on storage. If not we can check one more codition for it.

  if (myDir.exists() && myDir.isDirectory()) {
//write same defination for it.
}

edited Jan 24 '17 at 10:20

Stephan

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answered Nov 19 '16 at 20:11

Kailas Bhakade

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This is a very good answer, but if you're like me not seeing anything under myDir.list(), make sure to ask for storage permission real-time! Just how you would ask for any other permission (i.e.: Camera), but pass in "WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE". – KBog Sep 20 '22 at 04:24

score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 28 '11 at 15:14

4

new File(mUri.toString).delete();

answered Jul 28 '11 at 15:14

dev mz

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score 3 · Answer 6 · answered Aug 06 '17 at 17:07

3

 void clearMyFiles() {
    File[] files = context.getFilesDir().listFiles();
    if(files != null)
        for(File file : files) {
           file.delete();
        }
 }

answered Aug 06 '17 at 17:07

djdance

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This answer was flagged as low-quality because of its length and content. Suggest adding a description of what it does and how it answers the question. – Steve Piercy Aug 06 '17 at 18:48

score 2 · Answer 7 · answered Feb 26 '20 at 08:44

2

Another alternative in Kotlin

val file: File = context.getFileStreamPath("file_name")
val deleted: Boolean = file.delete()

answered Feb 26 '20 at 08:44

Nijat Ahmadli

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score 1 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 24 '10 at 08:37

1

Use delete method of File

answered Aug 24 '10 at 08:37

st0le

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How to delete internal storage file in android?

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