mkdirs returns false for directory on sd card while the parent directory is writable

android mkdir android-sdcard
Danny picture Danny · Oct 31, 2010 · Viewed 18.1k times · Source

When starting my android application, I need to create a directory on the sd card, for a small number of users this fails and I can't figure out the reason for it...

(I've found similar problems caused by the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission missing, it's there and it works for almost all users so I don't think this is reason)

I've simplified the previous situation to make it easier to explain, if creating a directoy fails, I run a test case where I try to make a .test directory on the sdcard:

new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), ".test").mkdir() -> false
new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), ".test").mkdirs() -> false

File properties of the relevant directories:

/sdcard/.test (exists=false canWrite=false canRead=false canExecute=err isDirectory=false isFile=false)

/sdcard (exists=true canWrite=true canRead=true canExecute=err isDirectory=true isFile=false)

/ (exists=true canWrite=false canRead=true canExecute=err isDirectory=true isFile=false)

getExternalStorageState=mounted

(canExecute returns err because the test is run on sdk < 9)

Suggestions and ideas are very welcome...

Answer

Vladimir Ivanov picture Vladimir Ivanov · Oct 31, 2010

It is common when you don't have a permission in your manifest.

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

As for me it was the only wrong thing.

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