Alternative way to load maps without direct access to `/Android/data/org.openorienteering.mapper/files` on Android 11+

[GyDomonkos]

Description

Since Android 11 (and continuing through Android 15), direct access to app-specific folders under
/Android/data/org.openorienteering.mapper/files has become very restricted for users and file managers.

Currently, OpenOrienteering Mapper requires map files to be placed in this folder in order to be opened or edited.
However, users are no longer able to move or copy files there manually due to scoped storage limitations.

Problem

• As far as I know, file managers and USB transfer tools cannot access or write to /Android/data/....
• This prevents users from importing existing map files or backing them up.
• As a result, Mapper becomes difficult to use on newer Android versions.

Suggested Solutions / Feature Requests

Please consider implementing one or more of the following:

1. Built-in map import/export mechanism
   Allow users to pick a map file from shared storage (Downloads, Documents, etc.`).

2. Custom user-defined working directory
   Let users select an accessible folder (e.g. /Documents/Mapper/) as their data directory instead of the default /Android/data/... path.

3. In-app file management
   Provide a way to move, copy, or import map files internally within the app, bypassing the need for external file managers.

Environment

• App: OpenOrienteering Mapper
• Version: 9.5.0
• OS: Android 15
• Device: Motorola Edge 50 Neo

Additional Context

Because Android’s scoped storage restrictions are now permanent, this issue will likely affect all users on Android 11 and newer.
I often use my mobile devices for minor map corrections, and since I purchased my new phone, this hasn’t been possible anymore.
It’s possible that I’m unaware of some more complicated ways to move my files around, but I’d be very happy if everything could work as smoothly as it did on my old device, which ran Android 9.

[dg0yt]

File access is needed not only for the map but also for the templates connected to it.

Related: #1894

[Choreuomai]

Excuse my chipping in here, but I fail to see/reproduce the problem? I have got OOMapper on a Samsung Tablet running on Android 15, and I happily transfer my maps from my Desktop computer into the Android/data/org.openorienteering.... folder. Or do I misunderstand what you want to do?

[GyDomonkos]

Excuse my chipping in here, but I fail to see/reproduce the problem? I have got OOMapper on a Samsung Tablet running on Android 15, and I happily transfer my maps from my Desktop computer into the Android/data/org.openorienteering.... folder. Or do I misunderstand what you want to do?

When trying to use Mapper on my Phone like I did with my old one, I get the error from my file system, that I am not allowed to copy/write to the folders in 'Android/data/...'. After some research, I found that this is a Problem that supposedly comes with the new restrictions of new Android versions. It is possible, that there are some settings, that give you back the same freedoms one had on older Android versions and I am not aware of them or that youre Samsung Tablet handels the files differently from my device...

[jjojala]

Excuse my chipping in here, but I fail to see/reproduce the problem? I have got OOMapper on a Samsung Tablet running on Android 15, and I happily transfer my maps from my Desktop computer into the Android/data/org.openorienteering.... folder. Or do I misunderstand what you want to do?

... also there's no such problems if you access the files on the phone via your pc through a usb-cable. There may be also vendor specific variance of this restriction. I recently upgraded to Samsung tab with Android 15 and hit this restriction myself. FolderSync app I used for syncing map files to/from cloud did not have access to /Android/app -folders like it used to have with earlier ancient tablet. My solution was to start use /OOMapper folder of primary storage.

[dg0yt]

@GyDomonkos Did you actually try to use a USB cable to a PC? I know it not helpful when out in the field, away from PC.
https://www.openorienteering.org/mapper-manual/pages/android-storage.html

[lpechacek]

In-app file management

A function that would zip the map and drafts and "share" them in the Android sense might be a useful shortcut. I'm currently backing up map data manually with the file manager. Thanks for the idea!

[GyDomonkos]

Did you actually try to use a USB cable to a PC? I know it not helpful when out in the field, away from PC.

The interesting thing is that I actually did try using a USB cable to connect to a PC, and it didn’t work. I had no access whatsoever to Mappers map files folder on my mobile device.
Curiously, after the last security update a few days ago, it became possible again to copy files to the data/ folders via a USB cable and PC. It’s not the easiest way to move map files around, but it works.

I also tried a completely different method: using a USB stick with both USB-C and USB-A connectors and the map files stored on it. It slows down editing a bit, but it worked even before the update and offers more mobility.