Android: Cannot list files, despite read/write permissions

Question

Despite all the required permissions, I somehow cannot list the files in a folder.

This is my code: (Android 10)

AndroidManifest.xml

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
[...]
android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true"

MainActivity.java

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

    // CHECK PERMISSIONS
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 23 &&
            ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED ||
            ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {

        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions((MainActivity) this,
                new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, 1);


    } else{
        // LIST FILES
        File directory = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
        directory.exists();                    // TRUE
        directory.isDirectory();               // TRUE
        File[] files = directory.listFiles();  // NULL [!]
    }
}

Nevertheless, directory.listFiles() still returns null. It does reach directory.listFiles() , so the Permissions are granted. The directory exists and is a directory (both returns true).

I've actually gone through all of the threads on the subject, but couldn't find a solution. I hope I haven't missed anything...

Thanks for all answers :]

Answer 1

Despite all the required permissions, I somehow cannot list the files in a folder.

This is my code: (Android 10)

AndroidManifest.xml

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
[...]
android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true"

MainActivity.java

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

    // CHECK PERMISSIONS
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 23 &&
            ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED ||
            ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {

        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions((MainActivity) this,
                new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, 1);


    } else{
        // LIST FILES
        File directory = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
        directory.exists();                    // TRUE
        directory.isDirectory();               // TRUE
        File[] files = directory.listFiles();  // NULL [!]
    }
}

Nevertheless, directory.listFiles() still returns null. It does reach directory.listFiles() , so the Permissions are granted. The directory exists and is a directory (both returns true).

I've actually gone through all of the threads on the subject, but couldn't find a solution. I hope I haven't missed anything...

Thanks for all answers :]