Why file isn't being deleted with file.delete()?

Question

I can't delete file from sdcard.

File toDelete = new File(fname);
boolean result=toDelete.delete();

The result is false. Reads and writes of the same file is working in same app running. No opened streams. No exceptions raised. I have tried to make it writable just before deletion this way

toDelete.setWritable(true);

with no effect. How does it possible that the system can write and read, but can not delete the same file???

Pleas add some more code about how you build up the file path — Trinimon, Mar 29 '13 at 11:02
I can read and write this file, there are no problems with path or permissions, the system just rejects to delete it — Ekaterina Ivanova iceja.net, Mar 29 '13 at 11:05
i think you are creating file programatically or runtime?? m i right? — Dhaval Parmar, Mar 29 '13 at 11:06
ok thats why file not deleted.... can you show us create file & delete file code. — Dhaval Parmar, Mar 29 '13 at 12:20
Try this answer : [link](http://stackoverflow.com/a/18867424/968538), it worked for me... — Christian, Mar 08 '16 at 09:44

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:32

3

use below code it may help you.

            File fdelete = new File(file_dj_path);
        if (fdelete.exists()) {
            if (fdelete.delete()) {
                System.out.println("file Deleted :" + file_dj_path);
            } else {
                System.out.println("file not Deleted :" + file_dj_path);
            }
        }

Refresh gallery after delete image

sendBroadcast(new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MEDIA_MOUNTED,
 Uri.parse("file://" +  Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory())));

check this: https://stackoverflow.com/a/10716773/1168654

edited May 23 '17 at 10:32

Community

1
1

answered Mar 29 '13 at 10:59

Dhaval Parmar

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Hi! Thank you for your answer, but file is not deleted all the time and it stays on sd-card as I can see through ./adb shell – Ekaterina Ivanova iceja.net Mar 29 '13 at 11:02
can you show us your more code about file path in your question..?? – Dhaval Parmar Mar 29 '13 at 11:04

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 29 '13 at 11:02

1

Try doing this

 File fileToDelete = new File(YourPath);
 boolean deleted = fileToDelete.delete();

Remount your card again and check

 sendBroadcast(new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MEDIA_MOUNTED,
                     Uri.parse("file://"
                               + Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory())));

answered Mar 29 '13 at 11:02

Sanket Pandya

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7
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This way doesn't work – Ekaterina Ivanova iceja.net Mar 29 '13 at 11:14

Why file isn't being deleted with file.delete()?

2 Answers2