How to create a directory in root android external storage?

Question

I want to create a separate directory for images saved via my app. But I don't know where my code falls short. This is what I am doing to create a new directory in the root directory of external storage:

File root = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
File directory = new File(root,"MYFOLDER");
if(!directory.exists()) {
    directory.mkdirs();
}

I have already added the <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" /> permission in my app manifest file. And I have tried this, this and this and others but nothing works.

if (!directory.mkdirs()){ Toast(...could not create directory...); return;} — blackapps, Sep 03 '20 at 15:32
On Android 10 add requestLegacyExternalStorage="true" to application tag in manifest file for your code to work. — blackapps, Sep 03 '20 at 15:37

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 03 '20 at 14:46

1

I use this which works:

private static final String IMAGE_DIRECTORY = "/mydirectory";
File Directory = new File(
                Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + IMAGE_DIRECTORY);

        if (!Directory.exists()) {
            Directory.mkdirs();
        }

answered Sep 03 '20 at 14:46

aryanknp

1,135
2
8
21

Also check return value of mkdirs – blackapps Sep 03 '20 at 15:53

Vishwajeet Barve · Answer 2 · 2020-09-03T15:38:07.167

1

First give runtime storage permission by adding this lines, Because after android oreo you need to give runtime permission to access storage

if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, 1);
    }

then you can use this code

File apkStorage = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/" + "TestFolder");
 if (!apkStorage.exists()) {
        apkStorage.mkdir();
        Log.e(TAG, "Directory Created.");
}

Add requestLegacyExternalStorage="true" to application tag in manifest file

edited Sep 03 '20 at 15:38

answered Sep 03 '20 at 14:53

Vishwajeet Barve

547
3
10

Yes right, Now for Android 10 you need to use Providers – Vishwajeet Barve Sep 03 '20 at 14:55
Even with a FileProvider you won't be able to create a directory on the root of the external storage. only Storage Access Framework can do that. – Gavin Wright Sep 03 '20 at 15:00
1

Check the return value of mkdirs before you cry success. – blackapps Sep 03 '20 at 15:35
So, does storage access framework work on all android API levels? – Shreemaan Abhishek Sep 04 '20 at 01:47
Or should I check for the device API level and perform storage actions accordingly – Shreemaan Abhishek Sep 04 '20 at 01:48

How to create a directory in root android external storage?

2 Answers2