non-media files in shared storage not accessible through termux?

kavasmlikon

I recently switched from a Samsung SM-A520W running Android 9 (LineageOS) to a Pixel 6a running Android 15 (Graphene OS). It appears that non-media files (e.g. txt or org files) that I create in a shared directory (/storage/emulated/0/personal/) with an app (e.g. Orgzly) are not listed when I access the same directory via cli in termux ($ ls -la), which has full file access permissions. I still can access these files through Amaze or the stock file manager app, but not via termux. However, media files (like jpeg or mpeg) are also listed in termux as expected. Also, existing non-media files appear in termux as soon as I rename their file-extension from .txt to .jpeg.

On my old Samsung SM-A520W running Android 9 (LineageOS) all files no matter whether media or non-media files were accessible through termux. I understand Android introduced some changes to shared storage across apps, but shouldn't termux be able to have read/write access to any files saved in a shared directory such as /storage/emulated/0/personal/ ? According to the grapheneOS usage guide, at least for /storage/emulated/0/Documents/and /storage/emulated/0/Download/ this should be the case, but is not on my end.

kavasmlikon

I tested the same scenario (accessing a .txt file via Termux that was created with Amaze on shared storage) on another phone (Samsung Galaxy A6) running Android 10, which works just fine (same as on the SM-A520W running Android 9 / Lineage OS. This gives rise to my assumption that it has something to do with GrapheneOS. Maybe I am overlooking some general grapheneos settings?

Carlos-Anso

Older versions of files handle files differently.

Sounds like your termux only has media permission rather than the necessary files permission. Did you install it from Play Store? I wonder if the Play version is not able to get Files permission.

kavasmlikon

Carlos-Anso I insalled termux from F-Droid. When I view App info=>Permissions=>Allowed the list includes Files, Music and audio, Network, Notifications, Photos and videos, Sensors. No permissions are denied...

kavasmlikon

ok I got it. just for the record: under "Settings => Apps => Termux => Permissions => Files" there is an "Allow / Don't Allow" radio button. "Allow" has already been selected, but it turns out that wasn't enough. Further below in the "File Permissions" screen there is a "Storage Scopes" section - here, specific folders need to be manually selected for which full access to files created by other apps is then granted. otherwise only media-files are accessible.

Maybe it's just me, but I think UI design / copywriting could be optimized to make the mechanics of file permissions on that screen more clear. I remember stumbling upon that screen several times, but it never occurred to me that this is what it's for.

other8026

kavasmlikon Based on what you've said here, I don't think you want to use storage scopes, but instead want to give Termux access to all files. To do that go to Settings > Apps > Special app access > All files access. From there you should be able to find Termux and grant it access to all files.

kavasmlikon

other8026 interesting. yes that sounds correct, thank you! When I go to Settings > Apps > Special app access > All files access I can see a few apps listed, but Termux is not part of that list. Not sure why?