Android 10 has a completely new idea of how to store files and folders in external storage. This new technique is called “Scoped Storage”. Let’s take a look at how this happens and what it would cost you in terms of development and usage.
Android 10 had a planned change in the way things get to the storage, but the storage package was not used in Android 10 and the devices that use it. Eventually the same will be implemented in Android 11. In fact, scoped memory technology will change the way applications access memory.
Here is a comparative analysis of scoped storage in Android 11:
Advantages:
⦁ Apps will be excluded from accessing files they do not own.
⦁. It will be developer-friendly in the sense that they will not get permission for their own app.
⦁ External files and folders will only be accessible via Storage Access Framework APIs.
⦁ Access to even file paths will require user permission.
⦁ Mass editing and deletion.
⦁ Fewer app remnants.
⦁ No other application can access another application’s private folder.
⦁ Great convenience for users, as if an application is asking for storage permission, it will only be granted for its own folder and some specific file types such as music files.
Disadvantages:
⦁ More work for developers
⦁ Fill management apps are only fully accessible from Google.
⦁ To take advantage of Scoped Storage, you must have a device running Android 11.
Original Author: Faisal Bhatti
Sources: Android Dev Summit, Youtube.com