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Access to data and OBB files in android 16
As you all know that after android 11 google have made accessing the data and OBB files almost impossible, I'm experiencing this so tough as my current android version is 16 the Latest one , so does anyone have any kinda solution on how to workout this issue?
https://redd.it/1tiffrr
@reddit_androiddev
Scoped Storage system.
I have a specific question about Scoped Storage on modern Android.
I'm not talking about apps having full access to all folders on the phone like they did in the past.
My question is different:
Starting with Android 11, Google started pushing apps to store their files inside the Android/data folder, which users normally can't access anymore, right?
Today, can a developer still update their app and choose to save the app's own files in a user-accessible location (for example, inside Downloads, Documents, Music, or a custom folder with the app's name) instead of using Android/data?
Or could Android eventually force apps to use only Android/data?
And if Android still allows apps to use user-accessible folders today, does that mean this possibility is likely to always exist?
What I mean is: is this considered a basic part of Android's design, where apps are allowed to choose their own storage location instead of being forced to use only Android/data or another system-defined folder that users cannot access?
Or could Google eventually prevent this completely, at least for Play Store apps?
I'm asking because many Play Store apps — such as camera apps, download managers, audio/video editors, and similar apps — can still save files in normal user-accessible locations.
So does Google only allow these specific types of apps (and will probably always allow them) to choose accessible folders?
Or can any type of app — including games, social media apps, banking apps, note-taking apps, etc. — also choose to store their own files in user-accessible locations, and continue being allowed to do so in the future?
So what I really want to understand is:
Did Android only restrict broad storage access, or is Google actually moving toward a future where apps (like games, social media apps, banking apps, note-taking apps, and similar apps) could be completely prevented from choosing user-accessible folders for their own files?
https://redd.it/1ti7q18
@reddit_androiddev
Daily Companion Upgrading with AI Assistant Ideas
Hi Guys, ive built a powerful app that relies on users to add their own data, im using it everyday, and its helping me build my own personal life and progress! But im thinking about adding in an AI assistant to give it super powers, and to really embed the users into how useful ans powerful the app can be. I want it to bring the users back for more, and to help guide people into taking action in their personal lives to then step away from the daily doom scrolling! Any ideas or thoughts on good processes to make this happen?
https://redd.it/1ti2nxt
@reddit_androiddev
New updates for Android developers from Google I/O
Hi all! Emily from the Google comms team here.
Popping in to share a few updates for Android developers from Google I/O:
Native Android development in Google AI Studio: You can now build native Android apps with a prompt in Google AI Studio. The apps are built with development best practices like Jetpack Compose, Kotlin, and APIs.
Android CLI: Android CLI offers programmatic tools that allow any AI agent, including Claude Code, Codex, or Antigravity, to perform core Android tasks much more easily and efficiently. With today’s release, it also provides a bridge to tap directly into the "heavy-lifting" power of Android Studio to give you the production-ready polish needed for professional Android development.
Antigravity support: Official support to help you build performant Android experiences using best practices. And with Android CLI now built into Antigravity, it has access to the latest developer guidance so agents can run faster and more efficiently.
Migration Assistant in Android Studio: An experimental feature to port apps from platforms like iOS, React Native, or web frameworks to native Android. By simply selecting an existing project, developers can have the agent intelligently map features, convert assets like storyboards and SVGs, and implement Android best practices using Jetpack Compose and our recommended Jetpack libraries.
There’s lots more in the full blog post: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/05/17-things-android-developers-google-io.html
You can also see what we announced last week for Android developers at The Android Show: I/O Edition.
https://redd.it/1ti47y8
@reddit_androiddev
OMG Flutter and React are done
Google just announced the death of Flutter and React native with Android Studio migration tool to migrate iOS apps to Android coming this year.
OMG the silence in the room 😭
https://redd.it/1ti0xmy
@reddit_androiddev
Android Studio Quail 2 Canary 1 now available
https://androidstudio.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-studio-quail-2-canary-1-now.html
https://redd.it/1thwmrp
@reddit_androiddev
Is Android Developer updates becoming more AI centric?
I have been keeping an eye on Android Developer latest releases, and seeing it feels amazing! Things like Remote Compose, Room support for KMP Web, Password less authentication, Email verification without OTP, and more coming to Android.
But the main traction always becomes the Android Studio Gemini AI, which is total trash, and of no use in actual Android coding! Every time when Android team comes, wherever like Google IO, YouTube, etc. they just stick to AI, AI, AI, and AI!!!
I mean they are working on really great stuff for the Android Ecosystem, but they still choose to hide that and just stick to Gemini AI!
What are your thoughts guys, have you tried or are excited to try out these upcoming features: Remote Compose, Room support for KMP Web, Password less authentication, Email verification without OTP!
https://redd.it/1thrd28
@reddit_androiddev
Kotlin's return value checker - Gotta use that returned value!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDEQh2JkCAE
https://redd.it/1thqgyf
@reddit_androiddev
I made a Raspberry Pi app that can receive files from Android Quick Share
I have been working on RQuickShare Pi, a Raspberry Pi OS ARM64 desktop app that lets a Pi send and receive files with Android Quick Share.
The reason I built it is that I wanted my Raspberry Pi desktop to show up as a nearby target from my Android phone without using cables, cloud sync, Telegram, email, or a web upload page.
Current status:
\- Works on my Raspberry Pi 5 with Raspberry Pi OS 64-bit
\- Sends files from Pi to Android
\- Receives files from Android to Pi
\- Uses Bluetooth discovery and local network transfer
\- Has a normal desktop app and tray icon
\- Still alpha and looking for testers
One note for Samsung users: if the Pi does not appear, turning off `Share with Apple devices` in Samsung Quick Share settings may be required. That mode caused discovery issues in my testing.
GitHub:
https://github.com/EladBG-code/rquickshare-pi
Website:
https://eladbg-code.github.io/rquickshare-pi/
P.S: If you can't support with Ko-fi but still feel like you want to support this project (and me in general) just star the repository on GitHub! (both of these are completely fine).
https://preview.redd.it/5w7nt8lo032h1.png?width=3840&format=png&auto=webp&s=827720347e8c2d423a7358e553f8b5235b2208be
https://redd.it/1thkeza
@reddit_androiddev
I built a local browser tool to triage noisy MobSF reports
Hey folks, I built an open-source tool for people who use MobSF Community Edition.
MobSF is great, but the exported reports can be noisy. This tool lets you drop a MobSF JSON, PDF, or HTML report into the browser, runs local WebLLM/WebGPU triage, and labels findings as likely false positive, needs review, or likely real.
Repo:
https://github.com/moonpiesheldon1337/mobsf-fail-app
Live demo:
https://moonpiesheldon1337.github.io/mobsf-fail-app/
Why I made it:
- MobSF reports often have 100-300 findings
- many are context-dependent false positives
- client-ready report cleanup takes too long
- I wanted something local: no uploads, no API keys, no server
Would love feedback from mobile/AppSec folks on:
- false-positive heuristics
- missing MobSF categories
- whether the Markdown export fits real pentest workflows
https://redd.it/1thgu5g
@reddit_androiddev
My app development freelance journey
Not a long post. Just facts.
This month I shipped 4 Android apps for clients. All of them were under ₹10K. One is still in progress.
I'm raising my price to ₹20K — and I'm offering it to the first 4 people who DM me at this new rate before I raise it further.
What you get for ₹20,000:
\- Full UI design for your app
\- Market research (your niche, competitors, positioning)
\- Brand kit
\- Fully coded Android app
\- Payment gateway integration
\- Backend integration
\- Google Play Store deployment
\- Full IP ownership — the app is 100% yours
Timeline: \~1 week.
Payment structure (no advance):
30% after UI, market research & brand kit are delivered
50% after the app is fully coded
20% after your app goes live on the Play Store
You only pay when you see results. You own everything at the end.
DM me with your app idea. First 4 only at this price
https://redd.it/1thfhoz
@reddit_androiddev
I Built an ASO tool for solo devs, would love feedback!
Been working on my first Android game and dreaded writing the Play Store listing. Spent way too long manually researching keywords across different tools so I ended up just building something that does it all in one place, pulls keyword data for your game category, shows search volume and difficulty, then writes the listing around the best opportunities. Still early but it's working well for me. Happy to give anyone here free access if you want to try it and tell me what's broken: asointel-navy.vercel.app
https://redd.it/1thba1r
@reddit_androiddev
Having Issues Getting Started with Android Studio on a Mac
Yesterday I installed Android Studio on my Mac. When looking at trying to get Gemini set up, I am running into some issue. Namely, none of the suggested actions from the documentation seem to get the Gemi active on my account.
I have Gemini Plus and I have linked my Google Account to Android Studio. Its says my account is Currently Active. Under my Google Account, the Gemini section at the bottom says it is "Enabled".
The problem that I am running into is there every time I start a new project and go to the section that says "How to get started". When reading that section of the help documents, it has a picture of the menu system where it talks about entering your API key, but my menu system, looks quite a bit different, missing some sections all together.
Here is what the help documentation is showing for the menu.
https://preview.redd.it/xw5qbrj72z1h1.png?width=1608&format=png&auto=webp&s=c6486836d959409cf3662d41ccb59d4e47aa5bb9
Compared to my screen.
https://preview.redd.it/3h66gdne2z1h1.png?width=1978&format=png&auto=webp&s=55da0b21932737e9d347a99ed76068c3550814cc
In the tools section alone, I am missing entries such as Actions on Save, App Links Assistant, and the AI menu where it says to use your API key to sign in.
Android Studio is updated to ht most current version, so I cannot figure out why my menu is missing some features, such as the AI setting, which would then allow me to enter in my API key.
https://redd.it/1th3ox3
@reddit_androiddev
PSA: Law firm investigating Google's withholding of developer funds after Play Store account terminations
Posting this as an informational heads up for anyone who has had a Play Store account terminated and lost access to their remaining balance.
A law firm, Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter, is investigating potential claims against Google related to this pattern: account gets terminated, remaining balance is frozen, appeals return automated responses, and developers can't recover the funds. The firm is collecting information from affected developers to evaluate whether a class action is viable.
If this has happened to you and you want to share your situation with the firm, their intake page is here: https://www.glancylaw.com/google-play-developer
This isn't a substitute for going through Google's official appeal process, which should always be the first step.
Disclosure: I'm doing marketing for the firm on this matter. Sharing because the pattern is widely reported in this community and the investigation is potentially relevant to affected developers.
Attorney advertisement. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
https://redd.it/1tgulm7
@reddit_androiddev
Can I Use a Virtual Office Address for Google Developer Accounts?
I am incorporated in Canada and already set up with Google Business/ Play Console with my corporate info.
I want to change my corporation’s address from a physical address to a virtual address.
For anyone who’s done this:
1. Does Google Business/ Play Console accept virtual addresses?
2. What are the requirements for a virtual address? Do you need a physical address or is a PO box fine?
3. Did you have to update your D-U-N-S profile?
Thank you so much!
https://redd.it/1tgtjb6
@reddit_androiddev
What is the correct way of using material 3 icons with compose?
I am new to android development and on my 1st momth of learning, but while using icons i have come across multiple ways, initially I imported the pkg, but then i came across a google article saying it was no longer recommended to do that and that it was better to download them and put them into res, but now i get build errors. I am so frustrated.
https://redd.it/1tia0ob
@reddit_androiddev
Honestly, this whole 12 tester requirement from Google Play is exhausting.
I know this topic has been discussed to death already, but after going through it again with another app this week, I genuinely don’t understand what problem this process is actually solving anymore.
The mandatory 12 closed testers + 14 day waiting period has turned into this weird side quest where indie devs spend more time hunting testers than actually improving their apps.
Everywhere I look it’s the same thing:
people spamming Reddit threads, Discord servers, Telegram groups, random “tester exchange” communities, begging college friends, cousins, coworkers, basically anyone with an Android phone to install an APK and keep it installed for 2 weeks.
And the worst part is that even after somehow managing to get 12 testers, there are still stories of apps getting rejected after the 14 days anyway. That part completely kills motivation because now the whole thing feels arbitrary.
A few months ago me and a couple other dev friends got so frustrated with this process that we built a small platform called inTesters basically just to solve this one problem for ourselves.
The whole idea was simple:
if this testing requirement exists anyway, why are developers manually suffering through finding testers every single time?
So we built a system that guarantees 12 closed testers within 12 hours, and we also added a free community-testing option because not everyone wants to pay for something that Google forced onto them in the first place.
But here’s the thing that’s been confusing me lately:
even when devs are actively complaining about this exact problem, a lot of them still prefer manually hunting for testers instead of trying a platform that literally exists to solve it.
I’ve DM’d people before after seeing “need 12 testers urgently” posts and the reaction is often hesitation or just silence.
And honestly I can’t even tell if the issue is:
* developers just don’t trust new tools
* people are already used to the Reddit/Discord grind
* the whole thing sounds too good to be true
* or we’re just communicating it badly
Maybe devs have been burned too many times already by low-quality “growth” services and immediately assume everything is fake. Which honestly… fair enough.
I’m not even trying to pitch anything here. I’m more just confused because this felt like such an obvious pain point when we built it.
Curious what people here genuinely think.
If you saw something like this as an Android dev, what would make you avoid it? What would make you trust it? Or would you still rather do it manually no matter what?
https://redd.it/1ti8wig
@reddit_androiddev
Android Studio Quail 1 RC 1 now available
https://androidstudio.googleblog.com/2026/05/android-studio-quail-1-rc-1-now.html
https://redd.it/1thut8c
@reddit_androiddev
So i need some help
Hello everyone from the android community. I was thinking of starting with kotlin and Android app development. I am already a full stack developer and expanding into AI enginnering roles. So like, should I do it ? Is kotlin worth it ?? I have seen posts like android market is dead.
Honestly I don't want to go through the trouble of learning an entire new language and tools just for a career block. I want to make actual money using Android.
So i just need some honest words from people from the android community.
https://redd.it/1ti3bbi
@reddit_androiddev
When does Google Play display reviews?
I know this may be a very common question, but google updates it's algo / policies so often I figure older threads may be outdated.
Anyway, I have 11 ratings, 4 with reviews, averaging 4.5 stars, and I have over 500 downloads on Google Play, and yet, there is no star rating in the Play Store, and it still displays as "No reviews" and zero stars.
Does anyone know the threshold needed to pass in order for this to display? I figure it would help out quite a bit, as I show up on the top of the search result for a certain keyword, and the high rating would help credibility quite a lot!
Thank you! 😄
https://redd.it/1thzltd
@reddit_androiddev
Edge to Edge
No matter what I'm doing I can't get rid of this warnings. My last attempt was to bump material and activity ktx libraries. The second warning might be caused by Bottom Sheet library but honestly, I've no idea at this point.
I also cross-checked with Opus 4.6:
Your implementation is correct. No stupid mistakes found. Here's the breakdown:
# ✅ What's done right
|Area|Status|
|:-|:-|
|enableEdgeToEdge() before super.onCreate()|✅ Correct|
|Root Scaffold uses contentWindowInsets = WindowInsets.safeDrawing|✅ Correct|
|NavHost applies .padding(paddingValues).consumeWindowInsets(paddingValues)|✅ Correct — this is exactly the pattern that prevents double-insetting in nested Scaffolds|
|Nested Scaffolds use default contentWindowInsets|✅ Fine — because the parent already consumed safeDrawing, the nested Scaffolds inherit WindowInsets(0) automatically via consumeWindowInsets. No manual zeroing needed|
|All nested Scaffolds apply paddingValues to content|✅ Every screen applies Modifier.padding(paddingValues)|
|No fitsSystemWindows in XML layouts|✅ Clean|
|No manual systemBarsPadding/statusBarsPadding calls|✅ Clean|
|No statusBarColor/navigationBarColor in themes|✅ Clean|
|Compose theme has no system bar manipulation|✅ Clean|
|ModalBottomSheet usage (TagCreationSheet, SmartPantry)|✅ Material3 Compose — not affected by the Material view-layer deprecation|
https://preview.redd.it/lze098vky42h1.png?width=2262&format=png&auto=webp&s=57bae67ca86ae933e115d97452c6bdf43b92c97e
Frankly, I'm losing it at this point. Any tips, have you guys won the fight with edge to edge? I can link the app to prove that edge-to-edge actually works correctly.
I also wonder whether this warnings influence play store algo and ultimately my organic traffic.
https://redd.it/1thvig6
@reddit_androiddev
Android is now Compose-first, View toolkit is in maintenance mode
https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/compose/first
https://redd.it/1ths2jo
@reddit_androiddev
Single packet messaging app
Hi, is it possible to make a text messaging app in android that sends short text message over a single TCP packet? No encryption necessary. I was on a flight with high latency dialup speed internet and modern messaging service like Watsapp data overhead made it unusable. Progressive jpeg encoding support (where images start loading blurry then clear up as more data arrives) would be great as well. Basically make simple Watsapp but for extremely bad internet :)
https://redd.it/1thj7sp
@reddit_androiddev
Will Google Play flag this "Wellness Dashboard" as a Medical App?
Hey guys, submitting an Expo app soon for a local yoga/wellness studio and trying to avoid Play Store rejection hell.
We built a "Wellness Assessment Dashboard". The user doesn't enter any data themselves. Instead, when they visit the studio, the staff does a physical assessment and uploads data (strength levels, flexibility, progress photos) via a web admin panel. The app is just a read-only dashboard for the user to view their progress.
Since it's labeled "Wellness" and "Strength" rather than a medical diagnosis, does Google still heavily scrutinize this under their strict Health Data policy?
We use Firebase, standard HTTPS, and have disclaimers. Is there any hidden trap or common rejection reason for one-way wellness tracking like this?
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1thi4by
@reddit_androiddev
"Some" : A Library for generating dummy objects for testing
https://github.com/MessiasLima/Some
https://redd.it/1thgyq6
@reddit_androiddev
Which Android app category is completely oversaturated now? 😭
Every time I open the Play Store it feels like I’m seeing the same apps again and again 😭
Another:
* AI chat app
* wallpaper app
* habit tracker
* VPN
* expense tracker
* notes app
* motivational quotes app 💀
Feels like some categories are almost impossible to stand out in now unless you already have distribution or a really unique angle.
At the same time though… people are still making money in “oversaturated” categories somehow.
So now I’m curious...
Which Android app category do you think is completely overcrowded right now?
And do you think saturation actually matters… or is distribution/branding the real problem now?
https://redd.it/1thej1e
@reddit_androiddev
Accessibility Service vs Banking Apps: How do you handle false flags?
Hi everyone,
I am building a digital wellbeing app that blocks only the Shorts/Reels pages inside YouTube and Instagram, leaving the rest of the app open. Because I need to check what is on the screen, I have to use an AccessibilityService with canRetrieveWindowContent="true".
How I optimized it for safety:
Targeted Packages: It only runs inside a few social media apps. It is completely inactive everywhere else.
No View IDs: I don't use View IDs or read messages. It only looks at the basic layout depth.
100% Offline: No data is collected or sent to any server.
The Problem:
Even though the code is safe, banking apps flag my app as a threat simply because a third-party accessibility service is running on the phone.
My Questions:
Workarounds: How do other devs deal with this? Is making a Quick Settings Tile to let users "Pause" the app before opening a bank app the best workaround?
Other APIs: Is there another approach? UsageStatsManager only tracks the whole app package, so I would have to block all of YouTube, which breaks my main feature.
Thanks for any help!
https://redd.it/1th176b
@reddit_androiddev
I’m new to Android development and have basically no experience yet. Should I start with Google’s official Android courses and documentation, or learn through YouTube tutorials first?
I’m new to Android development and have basically no experience yet. Should I start with Google’s official Android courses and documentation, or learn through YouTube tutorials first?
https://redd.it/1tgfodk
@reddit_androiddev
Stuck in internal testing (I am not looking for testers, simply advice)
Hey peeps,
I have some ideas for some apps that I am now trying to publish however I don't know 12 people to do internal testing with, for 14 days.
How do you go about doing the internal testing?
https://redd.it/1tghfbz
@reddit_androiddev
Has anyone successfully made their Android music app appear in Pixel “Connected Music Services”
We’re working on a music streaming app and have already implemented:
* MediaSession / MediaSessionCompat
* MediaBrowserServiceCompat
* Media3
* Android Auto
* Foreground media notifications
* Playback resumption
* Audio focus handling
Everything works correctly with:
* Bluetooth controls
* Lock screen controls
* Android Auto
* System media controls
But the app still does NOT appear in:
Pixel → Settings → Connected music services
Meanwhile Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube Music etc. appear there normally.
We’ve already checked Android media documentation and our integration seems correct.
Questions:
* Is there some undocumented requirement beyond MediaSession + MediaBrowserService?
* Does Google Assistant require App Actions / special capability registration?
* Is this list curated/allowlisted by Google?
* Has any third-party developer here managed to get their app into that list using only public APIs?
Would really appreciate insights from anyone who has dealt with this before.
https://redd.it/1tgjdqb
@reddit_androiddev
