AlpineQuest & OfflineMaps

There is a small usability issue on Android 11 for custom file-based maps, linked to the Storage API restrictions:

1. File Manager apps and PC (with phone as USB mass storage) can't access /Android/data/psyberia.alpinequest.full/maps folder anymore, so I can't copy map files in, (or copy all saved tracks out).
2. AlpineQuest itself can't seem to use another folder, there is only the first, default, Application path option available in the "Storage location" settings. This is unlike other apps.
This is even after granting READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE (Permissions > Files and media > All files)
3. However it's possible to display and import maps from external folders, which correctly requests the permission as needed.

(3) is pretty good and documented

Still, I believe point 2 should be fixed, and/or we should be able to attach custom paths to "My onboard maps" to avoid having to browse too much (to search for maps when favorite maps are not enough).

(Note: tested on a Galaxy S20 FE 5G.)

Hi,

As Google want to restrict any app to use other apps files, we need to update our habits, unfortunately there is nothing we can do as third party app developers.
It will be fully enforced when the Play Store will require full Android 11 compatibility for apps (right now it does require Android 10), so we need to prepare the future.

Concerning point 2), actually it does. In the past the "/alpinequest" folder was even the default app folder.
Then the Android data app folder was made the default choice to comply with then Android storage policy and "/alpinequest" it was made an optional choice.
And finally in recent AQ versions we've completely removed this choice on new installs as it will be soon no more reachable. When the SD card was made read-only in Android 4.4, it was a huge mess, so this time we anticipate and simply don't want to offer an app folder choice that will not readable in a soon future.
But if it does exist it will be displayed as a choice.

Also, custom paths are already available. For example you can store your maps in "/Maps" and add it as a favorite folder. It will be displayed on top of the left Maps explorer menu. To do so, open the maps explorer, display the parent folder, long press on the "Maps" folder and select "Add as favorite". You can long press a favorite folder to remove it.
Hope it helps.

Hello,

Indeed, favorites help. Thanks!

I also created the alpinequest folder (from alpinequest's map explorer ) and it appeared. Good enough for next year at least

Thanks!

More information on new Android 11 restrictions and on updated files managers can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/commen ... folder_on/