How to list files in an android directory?

Question

In order to access the files, the permissions must be given in the manifest file.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

Try this:

String path = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().toString()+"/Pictures";
Log.d("Files", "Path: " + path);
File directory = new File(path);
File[] files = directory.listFiles();
Log.d("Files", "Size: "+ files.length);
for (int i = 0; i < files.length; i++)
{
    Log.d("Files", "FileName:" + files[i].getName());
}

I just discovered that:

new File("/sdcard/").listFiles() returns null if you do not have:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

set in your AndroidManifest.xml file.

Well, the AssetManager lists files within the assets folder that is inside of your APK file. So what you're trying to list in your example above is [apk]/assets/sdcard/Pictures.

If you put some pictures within the assets folder inside of your application, and they were in the Pictures directory, you would do mgr.list("/Pictures/").

On the other hand, if you have files on the sdcard that are outside of your APK file, in the Pictures folder, then you would use File as so:

File file = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), "Pictures");
File[] pictures = file.listFiles();
...
for (...)
{
log.e("FILE:", pictures[i].getAbsolutePath());
}

And relevant links from the docs:
File
Asset Manager

In addition to all the answers above:

If you are on Android 6.0+ (API Level 23+) you have to explicitly ask for permission to access external storage. Simply having

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

in your manifest won't be enough. You also have actively request the permission in your activity:

//check for permission
if(ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this,
            Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_DENIED){
    //ask for permission
    requestPermissions(new String[]{Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE}, READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE_PERMISSION_CODE);
}

I recommend reading this: http://developer.android.com/training/permissions/requesting.html#perm-request

Your path is not within the assets folder. Either you enumerate files within the assets folder by means of AssetManager.list() or you enumerate files on your SD card by means of File.list()