Scoped Storage in Android in a Nutshell

Summary

Scoped storage, introduced in Android 10 and enforced from Android 11, aims to improve privacy and file management. It limits access to external storage, allowing apps to only interact with their own files, while media files can be saved in collections without additional permissions. Users can approve or deny file modifications outside of the app's control. Uninstalled apps no longer leave behind orphaned files, and a trash feature helps recover deleted files within 30 days. For apps needing full access, a 'manage external storage' permission is required, subject to manual review and user control.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scoped storage was introduced to address privacy and storage issues on Android.
• 😀 Android storage is divided into internal storage (private to apps) and external storage (shared between apps).
• 😀 Many apps only need simple read access to external storage, but often request broader permissions than necessary.
• 😀 Scoped storage helps prevent apps from leaving files behind after uninstallation, improving storage management.
• 😀 Scoped storage was first introduced in Android 10 but became mandatory from Android 11 onwards.
• 😀 The system can now track which app created which files, allowing these files to be removed when the app is uninstalled.
• 😀 Apps can access their own directories in shared storage, and save media files in collections without requiring additional permissions.
• 😀 If an app needs to modify or delete files it didn't create, it must request user approval through specific permissions.
• 😀 Files can now be moved to a trash bin instead of being deleted, where they are kept for 30 days before being permanently deleted.
• 😀 Some apps, like file managers, still require access to the entire storage, which is possible through the 'manage external storage' permission.
• 😀 The 'manage external storage' permission requires manual review by Google Play and can be enabled or disabled by users in app settings.

Q & A

What is scoped storage in Android?

Scoped storage is a feature introduced in Android 10 and made mandatory in Android 11. It limits an app’s access to shared storage, ensuring that each app only has access to its own directories and files it has created, improving privacy and security.

How does scoped storage address the problems of external storage?

Scoped storage solves two main problems: first, it eliminates the need for apps to request broad storage access permissions, and second, it ensures that files left behind by uninstalled apps are deleted, freeing up storage space.

What is the difference between internal and external storage in Android?

Internal storage is private to each app, and its contents are not visible to other apps. External storage, on the other hand, is shared, meaning multiple apps can access it, but it can lead to issues with leftover files after uninstallation.

What changes did scoped storage introduce in how apps manage files?

Scoped storage allows apps to access only their own directories in shared storage without needing special permissions. Apps can save media files in collections without asking for permission, but to modify files they didn’t create, they need user approval.

What is the purpose of the trash feature in scoped storage?

The trash feature allows files to be temporarily stored before being permanently deleted. Files in the trash can be recovered for up to 30 days before being automatically deleted.

How can an app request to modify or delete files it didn’t create?

An app can request permission to modify or delete files it didn’t create using the functions 'create write request' or 'create delete request.' However, this requires the user's explicit approval.

What is the 'manage external storage' permission, and who needs it?

The 'manage external storage' permission is needed by apps that require full access to external storage, such as file managers. This permission must be manually reviewed by Google Play and can be enabled or disabled by the user.

Why is the 'manage external storage' permission manually reviewed by Google Play?

The 'manage external storage' permission is reviewed by Google Play to ensure that the app genuinely requires access to all external storage, preventing misuse and ensuring that the app follows necessary privacy standards.

How does scoped storage improve user privacy?

Scoped storage improves privacy by restricting apps from accessing unnecessary files in shared storage, ensuring apps only interact with the files they’ve created or have explicit permission to modify.

What happens to files created by an app when the app is uninstalled under scoped storage?

With scoped storage, the system tracks which files were created by each app. When the app is uninstalled, its files are removed, freeing up space and reducing the chances of leftover files taking up storage.