IllegalArgumentException: Failed to find configuration root that contains xxx on FileProvider.getUriForFile

Question

I have been trying to follow the Android tutorial on sharing files. I set up the FileProvider like this:

On the main manifest xml:

<provider
            android:name="android.support.v4.content.FileProvider"
            android:authorities="com.example.mysecondapp.fileprovider"
            android:exported="false"
            android:grantUriPermissions="true" >
            <meta-data
                android:name="android.support.FILE_PROVIDER_PATHS"
                android:resource="@xml/filepaths" />
        </provider>

the res/xml/filpaths.xml file:

<paths xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
    <external-path name="myexternalimages" path="SpCars_album/" />
</paths>

And in my code I am trying the following:

File requestFile = new File(mImageFilenames[position]);
                try {
                    fileUri = FileProvider.getUriForFile(
                            SeventhActivity.this,
                            "com.example.mysecondapp.fileprovider",
                            requestFile);
                } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
                    Log.e("File Selector",
                            "The selected file can't be shared: " +
                                    mImageFilenames[position]);
                }

The requestFile is instantiated with a proper working path for a file. The path of that file begins exactly with what getExternalFilesDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES) returns. I just cant understand what raises the error because everything seems to fit. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The path of that file begins exactly with what getExternalFilesDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES) returns.

AFAIK, that will not give you a directory named SpCars_album/.

I just cant understand what raises the error because everything seems to fit.

The file you supplied is not one that can be served by the FileProvider from your defined roots.

---

UPDATE

I forgot that this is tied to a documentation bug on FileProvider. FileProvider and <external-path> does NOT serve files from getExternalFilesDir(), but instead from Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(). I created a StreamProvider subclass that offers support for getExternalFilesDir().

If you use my StreamProvider, replacing your <external-path> with <external-files-path name="myexternalimages" path="Pictures/SpCars_album/" />, you should have better luck.

Answer 2

This is an old question now, but I've just had a similar issue.

A lazy solution I found is to just use:

<external-path name="myexternalimages" path="Android/" />

Because getExternalStorageDirectory returns "/storage/emulated/0/", sharing /Android (the next level down) will allow any files that are in your app to be accessed.

Alternatively, if you want to be more precise, you can do this:

<external-path name="myexternalimages" path="Android/data/YOUR_BUNDLE_ID/files/SpCars_album" />

This doesn't feel quite right, but it does seem to work!