Having a problem with Automagic

[husky]

Hi Desmanto


THe theory might be sound, but in practice it doesn't seem to work.

After following your tip, I still can't get permission to write to the Automagic folder.
Looks I need to keep Default ==> /storage/emulated/0/Automagic.

I did some tweaks, too extensive to get into details but the bottom line is NO PERMISSION for any of my "bright ideas".

Regards

Husky

[Desmanto]

Are you still using older version Automagic? I remember at some 1.33.0 or several 1.34.0 version, the Storage access framework is broken. You can't use any action that writes to external sdcard. It has been fixed in the lates version.

For meanwhile, just use custom but set to internal storage, and use folder other than Automagic.

[husky]

Hi Desmanto,


That's odd. I downloaded the version 1.34.0 Build 20171116_204442_6a28672.

If this is not the latest version, where can I find the most recent one? For sure it is not in the Google Play site.



Regards

Husky

[Desmanto]

Yes, that is the latest version, I am using this too (and EAP 1.35.0 at my secondary phone). I have not problem with the external sdcard access.
Do you get a prompt to select the SDCard when you uncheck and check again the external SD card access?
Sometimes the storage access framework won't appear, and we have to reset it. But it will reset other app's permission too, so it should be last resort.

[husky]

Hi Desmanto,

Nope! I do not get a prompt whenever I check/uncheck External SDcard.

As of the reset. How can I reset the storage framework?
What commands or steps must be taken in order to reset it?


Regards

husky

[Desmanto]

There should be a prompt to select SDcard, the typical file picker to select the path of the external SDcard that you will have when app requesting Storage Access Framework permission. It seems something's wrong with the documents provider. Make sure it is enabled. Try to clear data at manage app - "Documents" (com.android.documentsui). This is the documents provider which prompt the select SDcard. I don't if it will works in all phone, as mine still need to delete the urigrant.xml in the /data/system (need root).

[husky]

OK, let's see if we are on the same page.

What you say is that something wrong with the document provider, whatever that is.
Please let me remaind you that my technical skills in this area are not that deep.
So trying to make it down to bare bones:

1. Where should I look to be sure the documents provider is enabled? In com.android.documetsui I presume.
2. How do I find com.android.documetsui? I don't even know where to start looking for it.
3. Remember that I'm not as techically gifted as you in terms of Android or Java. I apologize for being such a dumbass.
4. Clearing this com.android.documentsui could cause some non-intended consequences?
5. Last but not least, I just don't want to go anywhere near rooting.


Your help in very comforting and I know you are trying your best.
Please try to fly low in technical terms make it simple for me to understand what I need to do.



Best Regards

Husky

[Desmanto]

Sorry, for being too technical. And yes, that's should be the repsonse if you are going to do something that you never do before. Should be more careful.

1 2 3. Documents or com.android.documentsui is one of the system app since Lollipo 5.0 above. It handles the Storage access framework for document picking, including the select SDCard prompt (similar to the Screenshot at Automagic external sdcard access) when you want access to write at external Sdcard, usb flashdisk or HDD. It can be found at setting > manage app > all > Documents. The location of manage app can be different in each phone, so need to locate it first (should be easy).

I am asking if it is disabled, because at xioami phones MIUI 7 above, this documentsui got disabled from beginning, causing the prompt Select SDcard not appear, no matter what we do. So need to enable it back first. Maybe by any chance, you disable this too, that's why I suggest to check if it is enabled.

4. Clearing this documents ui should reset all uri grant you have granted to all apps. Example if you use MiXplorer and ever granted it permission to write/create folder/file in microsd (via the select SDCard prompt), then after you clear data of Documents ui, the permission should be removed. You just need to re grant the permission again. Next time you wanna use MiXplorer to create folder at microsd, you have to go thru the same Select SDCard prompt to select the path to the microsd, and done. You have to redo this for microsd and all external OTG flashdisk if you write to them. So the risk is minimal, only need to regrant permission. No documents get deleted, despite the name. As long as you clear data only at this Documents (com.android.documentsui)

5. Of course you shouldn't root for just one purpose. I am asking if by any chance you already have root, that will be easier. Since I also haven't found a proven method to fix this write permission to sdcard. Have googled it since 2 years ago, still don't understand it completely. Sometimes it works, sometimes I have to delete the urigrant.xml to (that needs root).

[husky]

Hello Desmanto,

Sorry for being away for so long.

I killed my laptop trying to reinstall Windows. I just ended up deleting a primary partition, and with it the boot sector and the whole nine yards with it.
Last Saturday I was able to buy a new one.
It took me since last Saturday into today to configure the new PC into something akin to the one I lost.

As of the issue at hand, for some mysterious reason, automagic stopped screwing my patience and quit issuing the "can't find flow.xml" or stopping for no reason during flow editing. No clue why it stopped with the error messages. Perhaps the damn automagic just plain hates me.

Anyway, I'll take a look at the document cleanup as you kindly described and will give you a feedback in a timely manner.

As of the screwed up laptop, somebody told me I could recover it. Will have to talk to the guy and see whether or not it can be salvaged.

Best Regards

Husky

[Desmanto]

Hi Husky,

I' m sorry to hear that.

You can try to recover it in your new laptop. There are some cable that can convert your laptop harddisk to usb, thus can be plugged to other PC/laptop to recover the data. Don't install or write anything to the harddisk, it will increase the recovery chance.

Automagic knows you got problem already, so it decides not to add more At least one problem solved. Just do periodic check if it ever comes back.

Regards,
Desmanto