File.exists() returns false for existing file

Question

I am trying to check if a file exists in my user's Download directory.

File imageFile = new File(Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS),imageName);
if(imageFile.exists())
  // Do something
else
  // Do something else

I have gotten the contents of the directory

File did = new File(Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS));
File files[] = dir.listFiles();

In the debugger:

imageFile.path = "/storage/emulated/0/Download/floorplan_lobby.png"

And

files[12].path = "/storage/emulated/0/Download/floorplan_lobby.png"

But imageFile.exists() returns false. Why?

It shouldn't matter, but I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Note.

i used to access files like this `File file = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/Folder/Folder/Folder/file.jpg");` — theapache64, Mar 04 '15 at 15:37
How did that file supposedly get there? Can a file manager app open it for viewing? Perhaps the storage emulation is in an inconsistent state and needs to be refreshed by invoking the media scanner or rebooting the device. — Chris Stratton, Mar 04 '15 at 18:42
The file was added using the Android File Transfer app. The file manager can open the file. I have rebooted the device. No help. — Dan Eckhart, Mar 04 '15 at 19:23
It's 2 years later but did you ever get to the bottom of this? — Mendhak, May 03 '17 at 19:53
@DanEckhart Have you check permission(WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)? — Mayur Patel, Aug 29 '19 at 04:48

Mainong · Answer 1 · 2019-08-29T07:11:14.640

Check

Manifest permissions

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

Use file provider to create and access file

    <provider
            android:name="androidx.core.content.FileProvider"
            android:authorities="your_package.fileprovider"
            android:exported="false"
            android:grantUriPermissions="true">
            <meta-data
                android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
                android:resource="@xml/file_list" />
        </provider>

file_list content:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <paths>
        <external-path
            name="external"
            path="." />
        <external-files-path
            name="external_files"
            path="." />
        <cache-path
            name="cache"
            path="." />
        <external-cache-path
            name="external_cache"
            path="." />
        <files-path
            name="files"
            path="." />
    </paths>

Keep your filename short

File.exists() returns false for existing file

1 Answers1