How do I delete files programmatically on Android?
I'm on 4.4.2, trying to delete a file (image) via uri. Here's my code:
File file = new File(uri.getPath());
boolean deleted = file.delete();
if(!deleted){
boolean deleted2 = file.getCanonicalFile().delete();
if(!deleted2){
boolean deleted3 = getApplicationContext().deleteFile(file.getName());
}
}
Right now, none of these delete functions is actually deleting the file. I also have this in my AndroidManifest.xml:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_INTERNAL_STORAGE" />
Why don't you test this with this code:
File fdelete = new File(uri.getPath());
if (fdelete.exists()) {
if (fdelete.delete()) {
System.out.println("file Deleted :" + uri.getPath());
} else {
System.out.println("file not Deleted :" + uri.getPath());
}
}
I think part of the problem is you never try to delete the file, you just keep creating a variable that has a method call.
So in your case you could try:
File file = new File(uri.getPath());
file.delete();
if(file.exists()){
file.getCanonicalFile().delete();
if(file.exists()){
getApplicationContext().deleteFile(file.getName());
}
}
However I think that's a little overkill.
You added a comment that you are using an external directory rather than a uri. So instead you should add something like:
String root = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().toString();
File file = new File(root + "/images/media/2918");
Then try to delete the file.
Try this one. It is working for me.
handler.postDelayed(new Runnable() {
@Override
public void run() {
// Set up the projection (we only need the ID)
String[] projection = { MediaStore.Images.Media._ID };
// Match on the file path
String selection = MediaStore.Images.Media.DATA + " = ?";
String[] selectionArgs = new String[] { imageFile.getAbsolutePath() };
// Query for the ID of the media matching the file path
Uri queryUri = MediaStore.Images.Media.EXTERNAL_CONTENT_URI;
ContentResolver contentResolver = getActivity().getContentResolver();
Cursor c = contentResolver.query(queryUri, projection, selection, selectionArgs, null);
if (c != null) {
if (c.moveToFirst()) {
// We found the ID. Deleting the item via the content provider will also remove the file
long id = c.getLong(c.getColumnIndexOrThrow(MediaStore.Images.Media._ID));
Uri deleteUri = ContentUris.withAppendedId(queryUri, id);
contentResolver.delete(deleteUri, null, null);
} else {
// File not found in media store DB
}
c.close();
}
}
}, 5000);
I tested this code on Nougat emulator and it worked:
In manifest add:
<application...
<provider
android:name="android.support.v4.content.FileProvider"
android:authorities="${applicationId}.provider"
android:exported="false"
android:grantUriPermissions="true">
<meta-data
android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
android:resource="@xml/provider_paths"/>
</provider>
</application>
Create empty xml folder in res folder and past in the provider_paths.xml:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<external-path name="external_files" path="."/>
</paths>
Then put the next snippet into your code (for instance fragment):
File photoLcl = new File(homeDirectory + "/" + fileNameLcl);
Uri imageUriLcl = FileProvider.getUriForFile(getActivity(),
getActivity().getApplicationContext().getPackageName() +
".provider", photoLcl);
ContentResolver contentResolver = getActivity().getContentResolver();
contentResolver.delete(imageUriLcl, null, null);