How to get data from specific folder in Android programmatically

First, add the following permissions to the manifest of your project in order to enable device storage access:

Then, create the file AudioModel.class and put the following model class into it in order to allow getting and setting list items:

public class AudioModel {
    String aPath;
    String aName;
    String aAlbum;
    String aArtist;

    public String getaPath() {
        return aPath;
    }
    public void setaPath(String aPath) {
        this.aPath = aPath;
    }
    public String getaName() {
        return aName;
    }
    public void setaName(String aName) {
        this.aName = aName;
    }
    public String getaAlbum() {
        return aAlbum;
    }
    public void setaAlbum(String aAlbum) {
        this.aAlbum = aAlbum;
    }
    public String getaArtist() {
        return aArtist;
    }
    public void setaArtist(String aArtist) {
        this.aArtist = aArtist;
    }
}

Next, use the following method to read all MP3 files from a folder of your device or to read all files of your device:

public List getAllAudioFromDevice(final Context context) {
    final List tempAudioList = new ArrayList<>();

    Uri uri = MediaStore.Audio.Media.EXTERNAL_CONTENT_URI;
    String[] projection = {MediaStore.Audio.AudioColumns.DATA, MediaStore.Audio.AudioColumns.TITLE, MediaStore.Audio.AudioColumns.ALBUM, MediaStore.Audio.ArtistColumns.ARTIST,};
    Cursor c = context.getContentResolver().query(uri, projection, MediaStore.Audio.Media.DATA + " like ? ", new String[]{"%utm%"}, null);

    if (c != null) {
        while (c.moveToNext()) {
            AudioModel audioModel = new AudioModel();
            String path = c.getString(0);
            String name = c.getString(1);
            String album = c.getString(2);
            String artist = c.getString(3);

            audioModel.setaName(name);
            audioModel.setaAlbum(album);
            audioModel.setaArtist(artist);
            audioModel.setaPath(path);

            Log.e("Name :" + name, " Album :" + album);
            Log.e("Path :" + path, " Artist :" + artist);

            tempAudioList.add(audioModel);
        }
        c.close();
    }

    return tempAudioList;
}

The code above will return a list of all MP3 files with the music's name, path, artist, and album. For more details please refer to the Media.Store.Audio documentation.

In order to read files of a specific folder, use the following query (you need to replace the folder name):

With the release of Android 10 (API level 29 or Q), a lot of things have changed in the Android SDK especially security-wise which is a good thing but being something that keeps evolving. there are always pros and cons to each evolutionary stage and it so…

On devices that run Android 4.4 (API level 19) and higher, your app can interact with a documents provider, including external storage volumes and cloud-based storage, using the Storage Access Framework. This framework allows users to interact with a system picker to choose a documents provider and select specific documents and other files for your app to create, open, or modify.

Because the user is involved in selecting the files or directories that your app can access, this mechanism doesn't require any system permissions, and user control and privacy is enhanced. Additionally, these files, which are stored outside of an app-specific directory and outside of the media store, remain on the device after your app is uninstalled.

Using the framework involves the following steps:

1. An app invokes an intent that contains a storage-related action. This action corresponds to a specific use case that the framework makes available.
2. The user sees a system picker, allowing them to browse a documents provider and choose a location or document where the storage-related action takes place.
3. The app gains read and write access to a URI that represents the user's chosen location or document. Using this URI, the app can perform operations on the chosen location.

To support media file access on devices that run Android 9 (API level 28) or lower, declare the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

This guide explains the different use cases that the framework supports for working with files and other documents. It also explains how to perform operations on the user-selected location.

Use cases for accessing documents and other files

The Storage Access Framework supports the following use cases for accessing files and other documents.

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

The following sections provide guidance on how to configure each use case.

Create a new file

Use the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

Note:

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

For example, if your app tries to save a file called

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;

private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
    // system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;

private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
    // system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
}

When configuring the intent, specify the file's name and MIME type, and optionally specify the URI of the file or directory that the file picker should display when it first loads by using the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;

private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
    // system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
}

The following code snippet shows how to create and invoke the intent for creating a file:

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
const val CREATE_FILE = 1

private fun createFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"
        putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf")

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
        // the system file picker before your app creates the document.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }
    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE)
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

Open a file

Your app might use documents as the unit of storage in which users enter data that they might want to share with peers or import into other documents. Several examples include a user opening a productivity document or opening a book that's saved as an EPUB file.

In these cases, allow the user to choose the file to open by invoking the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;

private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
    // system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
}

The following code snippet shows how to create and invoke the intent for opening a PDF document:

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;

private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
    // system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
}

Access restrictions

On Android 11 (API level 30) and higher, you cannot use the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

• The

  // Request code for selecting a PDF document.
  private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;
  
  private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
      Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
      intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
      intent.setType("application/pdf");
  
      // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
      // system file picker when it loads.
      intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);
  
      startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
  }
  

  8 directory and all subdirectories.
• The

  // Request code for selecting a PDF document.
  private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;
  
  private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
      Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
      intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
      intent.setType("application/pdf");
  
      // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
      // system file picker when it loads.
      intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);
  
      startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
  }
  

  9 directory and all subdirectories.

Grant access to a directory's contents

File management and media-creation apps typically manage groups of files in a directory hierarchy. To provide this capability in your app, use the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

When using

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

Optionally, you can specify the URI of the directory that the file picker should display when it first loads by using the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;

private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
    // system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
}

The following code snippet shows how to create and invoke the intent for opening a directory:

fun openDirectory(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE).apply {
        // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
        // the system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code)
}

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

Access restrictions

On Android 11 (API level 30) and higher, you cannot use the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

• The root directory of the internal storage volume.
• The root directory of each SD card volume that the device manufacturer considers to be reliable, regardless of whether the card is emulated or removable. A reliable volume is one that an app can successfully access most of the time.
• The

  fun openDirectory(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
      // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
      val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE).apply {
          // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
          // the system file picker when it loads.
          putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
      }
  
      startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code)
  }
  

  5 directory.

Furthermore, on Android 11 (API level 30) and higher, you cannot use the

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

• The

  // Request code for selecting a PDF document.
  private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;
  
  private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
      Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
      intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
      intent.setType("application/pdf");
  
      // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
      // system file picker when it loads.
      intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);
  
      startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
  }
  

  8 directory and all subdirectories.
• The

  // Request code for selecting a PDF document.
  private static final int PICK_PDF_FILE = 2;
  
  private void openFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
      Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
      intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
      intent.setType("application/pdf");
  
      // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
      // system file picker when it loads.
      intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);
  
      startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE);
  }
  

  9 directory and all subdirectories.

Perform operations on chosen location

After the user has selected a file or directory using the system's file picker, you can retrieve the selected item's URI using the following code in

fun openDirectory(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE).apply {
        // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
        // the system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code)
}

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

@Override
public void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode,
        Intent resultData) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        Uri uri = null;
        if (resultData != null) {
            uri = resultData.getData();
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

By getting a reference to the selected item's URI, your app can perform several operations on the item. For example, you can access the item's metadata, edit the item in place, and delete the item.

The following sections show how to complete actions on the files that the user selects.

Determine operations that a provider supports

Different content providers allow for different operations to be performed on documents—such as copying the document or viewing a document's thumbnail. To determine which operations a given provider supports, check the value of

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

Persist permissions

When your app opens a file for reading or writing, the system gives your app a URI permission grant for that file, which lasts until the user's device restarts. Suppose, however, that your app is an image-editing app, and you want users to be able to access the 5 images that they most recently edited, directly from your app. If the user's device has restarted, you'd have to send the user back to the system picker to find the files.

To preserve access to files across device restarts and create a better user experience, your app can "take" the persistable URI permission grant that the system offers, as shown in the following code snippet:

val contentResolver = applicationContext.contentResolver

val takeFlags: Int = Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION or
        Intent.FLAG_GRANT_WRITE_URI_PERMISSION
// Check for the freshest data.
contentResolver.takePersistableUriPermission(uri, takeFlags)

final int takeFlags = intent.getFlags()
            & (Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION
            | Intent.FLAG_GRANT_WRITE_URI_PERMISSION);
// Check for the freshest data.
getContentResolver().takePersistableUriPermission(uri, takeFlags);

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

Examine document metadata

When you have the URI for a document, you gain access to its metadata. This snippet grabs the metadata for a document specified by the URI, and logs it:

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

Open a document

By having a reference to a document's URI, you can open a document for further processing. This section shows examples for opening a bitmap and an input stream.

Bitmap

The following code snippet shows how to open a

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

After you open the bitmap, you can display it in an

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

Input stream

The following code snippet shows how to open an InputStream object given its URI. In this snippet, the lines of the file are being read into a string:

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

Edit a document

You can use the Storage Access Framework to edit a text document in place.

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

The following code snippet overwrites the contents of the document represented by the given URI:

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

Delete a document

If you have the URI for a document and the document's

public void openDirectory(Uri uriToLoad) {
    // Choose a directory using the system's file picker.
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE);

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when it loads.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, uriToLoad);

    startActivityForResult(intent, your-request-code);
}

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

// Request code for creating a PDF document.
private static final int CREATE_FILE = 1;

private void createFile(Uri pickerInitialUri) {
    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT);
    intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
    intent.setType("application/pdf");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TITLE, "invoice.pdf");

    // Optionally, specify a URI for the directory that should be opened in
    // the system file picker when your app creates the document.
    intent.putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri);

    startActivityForResult(intent, CREATE_FILE);
}

Retrieve an equivalent media URI

The

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

The

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

Open a virtual file

On Android 7.0 (API level 25) and higher, your app can make use of virtual files that the Storage Access Framework makes available. Even though virtual files don't have a binary representation, your app can open their contents by coercing them into a different file type or by viewing those files by using the

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

To open virtual files, your client app needs to include special logic to handle them. If you want to get a byte representation of the file—to preview the file, for example—you need to request for an alternate MIME type from the documents provider.

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

override fun onActivityResult(
        requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, resultData: Intent?) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        resultData?.data?.also { uri ->
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

After the user makes a selection, use the URI in the results data to determine whether the file is virtual, as shown in the following code snippet:

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

After you verify that the document is a virtual file, you can then coerce the file into an alternative MIME type, such as

@Override
public void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode,
        Intent resultData) {
    if (requestCode == your-request-code
            && resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK) {
        // The result data contains a URI for the document or directory that
        // the user selected.
        Uri uri = null;
        if (resultData != null) {
            uri = resultData.getData();
            // Perform operations on the document using its URI.
        }
    }
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

// Request code for selecting a PDF document.
const val PICK_PDF_FILE = 2

fun openFile(pickerInitialUri: Uri) {
    val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT).apply {
        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
        type = "application/pdf"

        // Optionally, specify a URI for the file that should appear in the
        // system file picker when it loads.
        putExtra(DocumentsContract.EXTRA_INITIAL_URI, pickerInitialUri)
    }

    startActivityForResult(intent, PICK_PDF_FILE)
}

Additional resources

For more information about how to store and access documents and other files, consult the following resources.

How to access specific folder of android programmatically?

How to get list of image files in a specific folder in Android?

How to get image from specific folder in android programmatically?

How do I access folders on Android?