[BUG] Storage permission is asked in Android 13 and can't be granted [F-Droid/Full]

[alexanderadam]

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Checked for duplicates?

• [X] This issue is not a duplicate (well, in my opinion it is but I'm just following here)

What are the steps to reproduce this bug?

It's exactly the same issue as mentioned in #14423 but I was asked to open a separate issue. :shrug:

Expected behaviour

It complains with the message "Please grant AnkiDroid the storage permission" which unfortunately can't be given

Actual behaviour

Anki already has the permissions for

• Read and write to the AnkiDroid database
• Microphone
• Notifications

but it wants moooore :wink:

Debug info

I can't even open the app so how should I provide this information? :wink:

(Optional) Anything else you want to share?

And how do other apps access data if Anki isn't allowed to do it any more?
For instance the Video player NOVA can access data from various paths. And the same is true for VLC player of course.

Furthermore I have PDF viewers and other document apps that can access files.
What's the difference here? 🤔

Research

• [X] I am reporting a bug specific to AnkiDroid (Android app)
• [X] I have checked the manual and the FAQ and could not find a solution to my issue
• [ ] (Optional) I have confirmed the issue is not resolved in the latest alpha release (instructions)

[david-allison]

What version of the app are you using?

The permission (which has been fixed in 2.17) is all files access, which Android does not include in the 'app info' screen

On my phone, this is either searchable, or:

• Settings
• Apps
• Permission manager
• Files
• See more apps that can access all files

[alexanderadam]

What version of the app are you using?

The permission (which has been fixed in 2.17)

That might be the culprit here as the latest version on F-Droid is 2.16.5 and the metadata doesn't mention 2.17 either.

[david-allison]

The steps provided should work for 2.16.5.

2.17 has an improved permissions dialog screen, rather than the toast message

[alexanderadam]

I followed the mentioned flow and gave the permission (the file permission was missing indeed). I killed AnkiDroid even afterwards but it still shows the error toast and redirects to the 'wrong' permission dialogue.

[david-allison]

What version of Android are you on?

[alexanderadam]

Android 13 Samsung One UI 5.1

[soshial]

I have the same problem on Samsung Galaxy S22 with Android 14 with the latest F-Droid v2.16.5.

[david-allison]

@soshial Any issues with the 'full' build of the 2.17beta?

[soshial]

Thanks, @david-allison! AnkiDroid-2.17beta2-full-universal.apk worked well, it asked for MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE successfully and I was able to create a test deck and add a card.

Although, I must admit I cannot possibly allow an app having such a grave permission installed on my phone. Do the Google Play and F-Droid versions have this permission removed? Which builds employ app-specific storage instead?

[david-allison]

The play variant (also distributed on Google Play) doesn't request the permission.

F-Droid uses full, which requires it.

If you're using play, be sure to sync regularly. Without that permission, uninstalling wipes all data and backups from your device

[AbdullahAhmadAAK]

I have the same issue on my Samsung Galaxy A32.

[tasmo]

Also not possible in Android 14 with GrapheneOS and Fdroid version 2.17.1.