Google has been sending out emails to developers whose apps request broad access to device storage, paving the way for file manager apps to request "All Files Access" on Android 11 next month. Starting May 5th, these developers must provide a justification for their app's need for broader storage access or risk being unable to publish updates targeting Android 11.
Prior to Android 11, many apps requested broad access to device storage, causing issues with user privacy and security. To address this, Google introduced "Scoped Storage" changes in Android 11, limiting storage access permissions and encouraging developers to target Android 10 (API level 29) for file managers and other apps that require broader storage access.
However, some apps genuinely need broader storage access, such as file managers, which have been forced to request "legacy" storage access by declaring requestLegacyExternalStorage=true in their Manifest. This legacy access allows these apps to bypass Scoped Storage restrictions and have broad access to device storage without being subjected to the same limitations.
As Android 11 (API level 30) becomes the minimum target for all app submissions, file manager apps and other apps that require broader storage access must adapt to the new "All Files Access" permission. This permission is displayed as "All Files Access" to users, allowing them to grant broad storage access while excluding specific directories like /Android/data or /Android/obb.
In November 2021, all apps and app updates submitted to Google Play must target Android 11, making it essential for file manager apps to switch to the new Scoped Storage model and request the "All Files Access" permission. The only hurdle is that Google currently doesn't allow developers to request this permission without signing a Declaration Form.
This Declaration Form is intended to help Google weed out apps that don't genuinely need "All Files Access", similar to how they restrict access to sensitive permissions like SMS, Call Log, and QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES.
Although Google initially announced their intention to make the Declaration Form available in November 2019, they haven't made it accessible yet. The company cited workforce challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for delaying the release of the Declaration Form, setting an unspecified date of "early 2021" for its availability.
Finally, Google has started sending out emails to developers informing them that apps can request the "All Files Access" permission starting May 5th. A newly published support page provides clarity on the requirements and exceptions for using this permission.
For file manager apps and other apps that require broader storage access, it's essential to understand the permitted uses, exceptions, and invalid uses of "All Files Access", as well as suggested alternative APIs. Visit Google's support page for more information on how to improve your app's user experience by requesting the "All Files Access" permission.