S3Drive - On Android, can't select root from external storage for Sync source

Hi, On Android, when setting up a Sync, the "Local" buttons opens a file picker that does not allow to select the root of storage or folders like Download. Instead asks to create a sub directory. Problematic to set up a full backup. And other sync solutions don't seem to have the problem. Seems linked to legacy storage access mode, or maybe using the file picker. Thanks,

Domi changed the channel name: On Android, can't select root from external storage for Sync source 2/9/2025 9:29 AM

I've added this as an item for our team to check. We've used directory picker to stay compliant (and per directory permission model) with Android SDK's, however we've recently been given broader permissions, which may possibly allow us to select root location as well. (edited)

1

Tom

I've added this as an item for our team to check. We've used directory picker to stay compliant (and per directory permission model) with Android SDK's, however we've recently been given broader permissions, which may possibly allow us to select root location as well. (edited)

Yes, it seems that apps global storage permissions were introduced in Android 11, and stabilized from 12 on. Thanks for taking into consideration. (edited)

Ah, and thinking about it : for this global / root of external storage access to be usefull, there is probably going to be something to do for the sync mechanism : with other rclone based solutions, sync from the root of external storage generates at least two access errors on Android/data and on Android/obb. Either it needs error handling or having the option to exclude some subdirectories from the sync (equivalent to --exclude='Android/data/' --exclude='Android/obb/'). (edited)

Domi

Ah, and thinking about it : for this global / root of external storage access to be usefull, there is probably going to be something to do for the sync mechanism : with other rclone based solutions, sync from the root of external storage generates at least two access errors on Android/data and on Android/obb. Either it needs error handling or having the option to exclude some subdirectories from the sync (equivalent to --exclude='Android/data/' --exclude='Android/obb/'). (edited)

Since we've added support for filtering, if you don't mind tryingf feel free to use:

- Android/data/**
- Android/obb/**

or similar. minus character at the beginning of each line means exclude. More on that: https://rclone.org/filtering/ That would certainly be helpful for us, to come up with some sane "defaults". (edited)

Rclone Filtering

Rclone filtering, includes and excludes

Ah, sorry, I had missed the filtering option. Just tested it. Can't yet verify on /storage/emulated/0 or /storage/emulated/0/Android since they are not selectable until you add global storage access but how it works with other subdirectories should do it. On a Pixel phone, Android/data and Android/obb are the only two directories that register as errors during native rclone sync (leading rclone sync to not delete destination files, only do a kind of copy). (edited)