How to open a file browser in Android?

android file-browser
user1451495 picture user1451495 · Jan 30, 2013 · Viewed 26.6k times · Source

I am developing on a Android 4.0.3 device. How do I open a file browser for my app? Is there one built in the to Android SDK? Do I have to write my own?

I don't want my app to depend on a the user installing a separate app for file browsing.

Answer

Mgamerz picture Mgamerz · Jan 30, 2013

To get a file from a file browser, use this:

        Intent fileintent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT);
        fileintent.setType("gagt/sdf");
        try {
            startActivityForResult(fileintent, PICKFILE_RESULT_CODE);
        } catch (ActivityNotFoundException e) {
            Log.e("tag", "No activity can handle picking a file. Showing alternatives.");
        }

I'm not quite sure what the gagt/sdf is for... it seems to work in my app for any file.

Then add this method:

protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
        // TODO Fix no activity available
        if (data == null)
            return;
        switch (requestCode) {
        case PICKFILE_RESULT_CODE:
            if (resultCode == RESULT_OK) {
                String FilePath = data.getData().getPath();
                //FilePath is your file as a string
            }
        }

If the user doesn't have a file manager app installed or preinstalled by their OEM you're going to have to implement your own. You might as well give them a choice.

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