Do I need runtime permission check to write into getExternalFilesDir() path in marshmallow?

Question

In my android app, I save some files to Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "\MyApp" directory. This worked fine until android 6 marshmallow update. After marshmallow update, I cannot write to this directory.

As described in this answer, in marshmallow, apps need to ask for the permission from user at runtime before writing to external storage.

But, when I use context.getExternalFilesDir(null) instead of Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), I don't need to ask for any permission at runtime and it just works (path returned from context.getExternalFilesDir(null) is also inside the external storage directory).

Is this some kind of a coincidence or can I continue to write to context.getExternalFilesDir(null) without asking permission at runtime?

Are you really able to write files to external storage without requesting permission on Android 6? — Daniel Nugent, Dec 26 '15 at 07:50

score 12 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 11 '16 at 18:31

12

The documentation states:

Starting in KITKAT, no permissions are required to read or write to the returned path; it's always accessible to the calling app. This only applies to paths generated for package name of the calling application. To access paths belonging to other packages, WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and/or READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE are required.

You will have read/write access to getExternalFilesDir() on Android 4.4+ without requiring any permissions.

I would recommend using a FileProvider if you need to support lower API levels.

edited Oct 11 '16 at 18:31

snkashis

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answered Dec 26 '15 at 07:53

Jared Rummler

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If I am targeting API 25, but supporting down to API 16, do I still need to declare the `WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE` permission in the Manifest and then just not ask for the permission at runtime? – ankushg Dec 20 '16 at 00:30

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 17 '18 at 15:53

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<uses-permission
android:maxSdkVersion="18"
android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"/>

reference: uses-permission-element

answered Dec 17 '18 at 15:53

Fan Wu

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I have tested two device with Android 5.1. They are not working without permission, so change maxSdkVersion up to 22. – Style-7 Jun 27 '20 at 07:51

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 23 '17 at 17:34

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As i know PERMISSIONS are presented started since Android 6 and above So no need to check permissions for API 16

answered Jul 23 '17 at 17:34

lelic.dev

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Do I need runtime permission check to write into getExternalFilesDir() path in marshmallow?

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