Android developers often desire a way to present a user with a method of selecting a file from "external" storage. Android's Intent system gives developers the ability to implicitly hook into other app's components, but if the user doesn't have a file explorer installed, the developer must instruct them to install one, or build one, themselves.
aFileChooser is an Android Library Project that simplifies this process.
Features:
- Streamlines the
Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENTIntent calling process - Provides a built-in file explorer
- Easily convert a URI into s java
Fileobject - Specify and determine MIME data types
- Easily retrieve image thumbnails for media files
- Follows Android conventions and is extremely simple to implement
Import aFileChooser and add it to your project as an Android Library Project. If you are unfamiliar with Android Library Projects, refer to the official documentation here.
Next, in your project, create an Activity that extends FileChooserActivity` and add it to your AndroidManifest.xml file.
Important The class extending FileChooserActivity must have the intent-filter set as seen bellow:
<activity
android:name=".FileChooserTestActivity"
android:label="Choose a file" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.GET_CONTENT" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.OPENABLE" />
<data android:mimeType="*/*" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
Note: The String used for android:label will be shown on the IntentChooser dialog.
To initiate the file selection, simply call showFileChooser() and listen for the selected file by overriding onFileSelect(). E.g.:
public class FileChooserTestActivity extends FileChooserActivity {
@Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
if (!isIntentGetContent()) {
showFileChooser();
}
}
@Override
protected void onFileSelect(File file) {
// Here you handle the file selection.
}
}
Important - FileChooserActivity uses Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT to show the embedded file explorer. Your Activity must check the Intent action, to ensure that it is not ACTION_GET_CONTENT.
public class FileChooserTestActivity extends FileChooserActivity {
// TAG for log messages.
private static final String TAG = "FileSelectorTestActivity";
@Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
// We must check to ensure that the calling Intent is not Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT
if (!isIntentGetContent()) {
// Display the file chooser with all file types
showFileChooser("*/*");
}
}
@Override
protected void onFileSelect(File file) {
if (file != null) {
final Context context = getApplicationContext();
// Get the path of the Selected File.
final String path = file.getAbsolutePath();
Log.d(TAG, "File path: " + path);
// Get the MIME type of the Selected File.
final String mimeType = FileUtils.getMimeType(context, file);
Log.d(TAG, "File MIME type: " + mimeType);
// Get the Uri of the Selected File
// final Uri uri = Uri.fromFile(file);
// Get the thumbnail of the Selected File, if image/video
// final Bitmap bm = FileUtils.getThumbnail(context, uri, mimeType);
// Here you can return any data from above to the calling Activity
finish();
}
}
@Override
protected void onFileError(Exception e) {
Log.e(TAG, "File select error", e);
finish();
}
@Override
protected void onFileSelectCancel() {
Log.d(TAG, "File selections canceled");
finish();
}
@Override
protected void onFileDisconnect() {
Log.d(TAG, "External storage disconneted");
finish();
}
}
Paul Burke paulburke.co
Copyright 2012 Paul Burke
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
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