why using Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT does not list the Dropbox?

[lannyf77]

Tried on Android Os 4.4, and above, if using Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT the android's file picker lists Google drives, Google Photos, Dropbox, etc. If using Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT, there just are no apps (like Dropbox, Photos etc.) in the file picker's drawer except only Google Drive.

How to list the Dropbox in Android's file picker drawer if using Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT?

code snippet of using ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT and ACTION_GET_CONTENT are listed below:

Intent openIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT);
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.KITKAT) {        openIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);        openIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
    }    openIntent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);    openIntent.setType("*/*");    startActivityForResult(openIntent, ANDROID_FILE_PICKER);

Intent openIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT);openIntent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);openIntent.setType("*/*");startActivityForResult(openIntent, ANDROID_FILE_PICKER);

[Greg-DB]

I don't have any news on this.

[NaviDevR]

Why DropBox supports File System for iOS 11 which Launched a year ago, but doesn't support the SAF which launched many years ago.

[Greg-DB]

@NaviDevR I can't speak to why any particular feature was or wasn't implemented. I've added your vote to this feaure request though.

[Alexii]

Hello,

Upcoming Android 10 will force all apps to use storage access framework for reading/writting files even on the local storage for the privacy reason.

May be it's a good reason for Dropbox now to support this functionality.

Now Dropbox can interact and "being supported" by wide range of the apps, which will have to implement interation using storage access framework.  By implementing storage access framework api Dropbox will be present in the common "pick file" system dialog and thus will be accessible for many apps for interaction. For this you need to handle intents ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT and ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT. 

Does it makes sense for you?

Regards,

Alexii

[Greg-DB]

@Alexii Thanks for the note! I'll share this with the team.

[Alex_Shirokov]

Many developers are eager for this functionality. As well as their customers.