Export folder - automatic export to target every X minutes

[mdouchin]

Describe the issue

The new Export function is a great addition in QField to ease the use with other softwares such as SyncThing, and get around the new Android 11 storage limitation.

At present, the user should close the project, go to the ‘Open local files‘ button located in QField’s welcome screen, and then choose the directory to export.

It would be great to be able to add a "Automatic export every 5 minutes" to let the user collect data for a long time, and keep the export work in the background every 5 minutes.

Would this be feasible ?

[mdouchin]

I am mainly interested in a way to share the pictures taken by QField.

I have a question to help me understand the limitations:

• QField can import the files from a folder (Import function) -> it can read from Downloads/some_folder.
• QField can export to a folder (New export function) -> it can write to Downloads/some_folder

Would it be possible to tell QField to store the pictures taken in the field directly to this Downloads/some_folder directory ?

My brain is full of knots at present, and I can imagine this Android limitation has driven everyone crazy :D

[mdouchin]

I correct myself. If I understood well, QField cannot really "read and write" files in Download/some_folder but can probably only use a specific Android API allowing to perform only a subset of actions on files and folders.

Could this API be used to save pictures taken in forms in a folder outside the sandboxed QField directory ?

[mdouchin]

Gentle ping. Any news on this topic please ?