android.os.FileUriExposedException: file:///storage/emulated/0/test.txt exposed beyond app through Intent.getData()

📱 Android Nougat Crash: FileUriExposedException Explained! 😱

Are you encountering a dreading 😖 crash while trying to open a file in your Android app? Does it work smoothly on older versions but tumbles 🤹 on Android Nougat? Are you wondering if it's a permission problem? 🤔 Don't worry! You've come to the right place! 🎉

What's Happening? 🤷‍♂️

Let's break it down! 🕵️‍♂️

When you try to open a file from the SD card using the Intent.ACTION_VIEW action, you might encounter the android.os.FileUriExposedException. This exception occurs because starting from Android Nougat (API level 24), file:// URIs are not allowed anymore. They are considered insecure as they expose sensitive data to other apps. 🚫

The Sample Code 📝

Here's a snippet of the sample code where the crash occurs:

File file = new File("/storage/emulated/0/test.txt");
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
intent.setDataAndType(Uri.fromFile(file), "text/*");
intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
startActivity(intent); // Crashes on this line

How to Fix It? 🛠️

To fix the FileUriExposedException, we need to use content:// URIs instead of file:// URIs. However, there's a catch! Your app needs to open files in root directories. 😮 Don't worry; I've got a solution for you! 🙌

1. First, we need to make use of the File Provider 🗂️ class provided by Android.

   • Add the following snippet to your AndroidManifest.xml file within the <application> tags:

     <provider android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider" android:authorities="${applicationId}.myfileprovider" android:exported="false" android:grantUriPermissions="true"> <meta-data android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS" android:resource="@xml/file_paths" /> </provider>

   • In the above snippet, replace ${applicationId} with your actual application id.

2. Create a new XML file in the res/xml directory named file_paths.xml (create the xml directory if it doesn't exist) and add the following code:

   <paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"> <root-path name="root" path="/" /> </paths>

   • This configuration allows your app to access files in root directories.

3. Now, let's modify the previous code snippet to use content:// URIs through the File Provider:

   File file = new File("/storage/emulated/0/test.txt"); Uri contentUri = FileProvider.getUriForFile(this, "${applicationId}.myfileprovider", file); Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW); intent.setDataAndType(contentUri, "text/*"); intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK); intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION); startActivity(intent);

   • Replace ${applicationId} with your actual application id, just like in the manifest.

4. We also need to update the file's FileProvider path in the file_paths.xml file. Add the following code inside the <paths> tag:

   <root-path name="external_files" path="."/>

   • With this, the File Provider will have access to the root directory of your files.

Wrap Up and Engage! 🎁

Hurray! 🎉 You've just solved the FileUriExposedException problem on Android Nougat and still manage to access files in root directories! 🌟

Remember, targeting newer Android versions requires adapting to their security measures. But don't worry, we've got your back! 🔒

If you found this blog post helpful, comment below and let me know how it worked for you. 🗣️ Share this article with your fellow developers who might be facing a similar issue. Together, we can conquer any Android obstacle! 🚀