Friday 5 June 2015

SD Card Write Access Returns to WiFi File Explorer


Long time users of WiFi File Explorer may remember back in the olden days where you could actually write to the SD card in your Android device - crazy stuff, huh? You'll also remember when Android 4.4 was released and ruined that blissful utopia, taking away SD card write access, meaning a lot of file operations in WiFi File Explorer (and other file-based apps) stopped working as they used to, like upload, delete, rename, etc.

Android 5.0 addresses this to a degree and once again allows SD card write access to third party apps, albeit in a rather convoluted way. The user must grant an app access to a particular area of storage using a folder chooser dialog which is presented via the Android OS. I'll take you through those steps in relation to WiFi File Explorer so that you can once again manage the SD card using the app. Remember though, this only applies to devices running Android 5.0+ and the latest version of WiFi File Explorer; it will not fix the issue on Android 4.4 devices.


1. Go to the Settings in the WiFi File Explorer app and click the new SD Card Permissions option. It will show a popup that briefly explains what you need to do: "Select the SD card (the top-level, not a subfolder) from the following file chooser dialog to allow write operations, e.g. upload, delete, rename, etc.". You are essentially choosing an area of storage that you say this app can have permission to write to.

2. Click OK and a folder chooser dialog will now be displayed and for most users its initial state is completely empty, which isn't very helpful or intuitive, like below:


3. At this point you need to go to the menu and tell the folder chooser dialog to show the SD card:


4. Now choose the SD card from the left hand side of the folder chooser dialog, which may be named something different if you have given your SD card a disk label:


5. Finally you must choose the top-level root of the SD card as highlighted below - don't select a subfolder:


6. You'll now see a brief popup message back in WiFi File Explorer that indicates the successful granting of permissions for SD card write access. If you see a failure, something has gone wrong and you must start again. There is a known bug in the system file chooser on the HTC One M8 and some other devices whereby the dialog will crash if the SD card doesn't have a disk label. This is an Android OS bug and can be worked around by giving your SD card a disk label when it has been slotted into your laptop or PC.

7. Now you can back out of the Settings in the WiFi File Explorer app and perform all those lovely write operations on your SD card again using the WiFi File Explorer web interface!

So Google doesn't make it easy and there are certainly a few hoops to jump through, but you should only have to do that once to get yourself where you want to be. A few things to note though:
  • This only gives WiFi File Explorer SD card write access, not any other apps;
  • If you upgrade from the free version to the PRO version of WiFi File Explorer, you'll need to perform these steps for both versions of the app;
  • It should last between reboots, but not if you uninstall and reinstall the app;
  • You'll also need to perform these steps should you remove or replace the SD card;
  • If you stop being able to write to the SD card via WiFi File Explorer for any reason, just perform these steps again.

49 comments:

  1. Thanks for figuring this out for us and for the step-by-step instructions. This is great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good job! But I'm having a problem. I was trying to upload some files and the status is "Completed", but no files were uploaded.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Would be nice if a single file can be uploaded before being prompt to get the pro version. Won't even let you do a single file.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great answer. Changed the SD card and could no longer write to the external storage. The last picture above was my key...choose the top-level root of the SD card as highlighted in red - don't select a subfolder. Everything now works as before. Thanks Paul for your time and support to this app.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice job!! Congrats for this great option to write to sd card.
    Support us and we will support your nice app..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Upload is very, extremely slow. In my computer browser it does not open explorer so I can select file and upload, very poor over all rating.
    Sorry

    ReplyDelete
  7. I thought there had to be an answer why my WiFi File Explorer would not work on my new ASUS ZenPad 8 running Android 5. My questions have been answered. Thanks. I was getting some strange message when trying to make a new folder on the microSDXC card: "Directory could not be created! java.io.IOException:Create directory failed!"

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for this - been trying to find a solution for this for ages!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Doesn't work for Moto G Gen 2. When the SD card folder is selected as instructed, the message "Permissions Failed" appears. Files then appear to upload and the file name appears in the folder, but the size is 0 bytes and the file is corrupted. Free version worked OK without setting SD card permissions. Pro version is useless for me. Windows 7 Home Premium, Firefox 47.0.1. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amend last comment. NO files can be uploaded to ANY folder on the Moto G Gen2. All files appear as 0 bytes in size and are corrupt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ben,

      Please email me and I will try and help you.

      Paul.

      Delete
  11. hi ... i have the same problem with BEN NASH.
    i cant upload any file from pc to my galaxy s7 sd card.
    i see the upload and it loading, but it is no file on my telephones
    when i upload it on the intern storage it works fine but on the externe storage doesent work.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Not working on my stock N update. SD card is selected, then says I chose a Document folder.
    Motorola Z Force Droid.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sir, for my Sony Bravia TV 55" Android 6.0 this app not let me upload files from computer via home WiFi, neither delete files from external USB memory on TV. USB files directory appears on computer as /storage/AA0..., but I cannot make actions with it. Change home directory on TV didn't help.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am glad to find amazing information from the blog. Thanks for sharing the information. Annual return filing

    ReplyDelete
  15. doesnt work on FireTV - doesnt show point in menu

    ReplyDelete
  16. Please add media player and design a good web page

    ReplyDelete
  17. Visit this site if you want to know the last news about essay writing! See ya here.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How on earth can I navigate to the SD card to drop files on it? All I see from the explorer view on my PC is internal storage with no way of switching to the SD card.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Students Assignment Help provides assignment help Hamilton services to the students at a reasonable price. We supply the best homework help services to the college students, and delivers original content which is free from plagiarism.

    ReplyDelete
  20. We provides top Online assignment help services for ireland and dublin students. Our master holder writer any assignments.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Order best creative assignment work and assignments help according to your requirement on Australiaassignmenthelp.com. We have many scholar those finish your assignment on the correct time. Our experts are high qualified. Book Now!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Welcome to the review of AllAssignmenthelp.com reviews, a writing service in Britain aimed at USA students.AllAssignmenthelp reviews is best reviews site in USA.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This blog aware me about different programs which can become very useful for our friends and kids. Few websites provide combined courses and few of the are separately for single subject. Glad to get this information.
    เช่าพื้นที่เก็บของ

    ReplyDelete
  25. All essay help services is a web portal where students get online help in making an essay for all the subjects, with the help of our best experts. You will get 100% plagiarism free content. Expert’s consultation is also available for students. If they have any query they can contact with our experts anytime. Hire Now!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Students Assignment Help provides assignment writing services for all college or university students at all the academic level. Our more than 3000 assignment writers holding masters and PhD degrees serves you with best assignment services at best price.

    ReplyDelete
  27. SingaporeAssignmentHelp.com is available 24*7 so drop us mail for your contract assignment and get quality error less assignment on before time of deadline at minimum cost by our Professional assignment helpers

    ReplyDelete
  28. When coping from PC to phone it only transfer file Not the folder ,,will this be an option in later updates

    ReplyDelete
  29. Writing dissertations is a very tedious task. It has been found that most of the students fail to complete the academic paper as it involves a lot of technicalities. Apart from that, the students also lack a systematic approach to the work. Therefore, they seek online dissertation help every now and then. MyAssignmenthelp.com in the UK provides the best online dissertation help.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Do not trap in false assignment service.Get the best and most trusted Online Assignment Help service available at best price for students widely.

    ReplyDelete
  31. The most distinctive featured educational web service, crazy for study is providing quick Textbook Solutions Manual to its subscribers in almost no time.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Android TV problem SD Card Write Access WiFi File Explorer

    ReplyDelete
  33. Global Translation Help is a USA Translation Services provider. Our certified professionals provide document translation for Permanent Resident Card, Green Card, Immigration Visa, Foreign Passport, and others which is very helpful in your immigration process. Our Linguists provide same-day legal translation at very low prices. The company covers more than 200 languages and available for you round the clock.

    ReplyDelete
  34. maricelavelazquez639@gmail.co

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you for taking the time to read the information provided. It is very interesting and beneficial because it goes into great detail about everything. This article jitter clicker may be of interest to you if you're looking for new information. Jitter clicking is a type of strategic mouse-clicking in which users can click their mice or touchpads at high speeds.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for this amazing post.. Wish to travel to Azerbaijan for tourism purpose then apply for azerbaijan tourist visa online. That offers you fast and very secure process.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Students at UK normally seek matlab assignment help to learn the different logics and submit their assignments on time. However, finding the quality oriented MATLAB assignment help with experts is not easy for students. We cater to students with all MATLAB topics taught in different universities like digital image process, Simulink, signal processing, computer vision and many more. If you come across any type of MATLAB assignment writing problems, visit us at greatassignmenthelp.com. We are here to offer you the best in class services at affordable price.

    ReplyDelete
  38. The user must grant an app access to a particular area of storage using a folder chooser dialog which is presented via the Android OS

    ReplyDelete
  39. Long time users of WiFi File Explorer may remember back in the olden days where you could actually write to the SD card in your Android device

    ReplyDelete
  40. Long time users of WiFi File Explorer may remember back in the olden days where you could actually write to the SD card in your Android device.,
    visit link my websiteTel-U

    ReplyDelete
  41. Android 5.0 addresses this to a degree and once again allows SD card write access to third party apps, albeit in a rather convoluted way.
    visit link my websiteTel-U

    ReplyDelete