App chooser, unable to pick any app to open by default

ceramics

I've been having this for idk how long.

When I want to open a file from file manager or generally something with some app, I get a simple list of apps and I can only select the first one to open by default. So for example, if I want to open a .txt file, and the app chooser decides that the Calendar should be handling that first, I cannot set any app other than Calendar to open as default.

Anyone know what might be behind this?

Novalissoide

ceramics file manager

Do you use the stock Files app?

userofgos

ceramics When I want to open a file from file manager or generally something with some app, I get a simple list of apps and I can only select the first one to open by default.

From my experience the list of apps available are only those that support opening that file type. First option is the one that is a) the default app for the file type then b) the last app picked. And once you select a different app to open the file in, then it becomes the first option in the list the next time around which will allow you to set it as the default.

E.g. MP4 files when opened within the stock Files app defaults to the stock Gallery app at the top of the list. However you choose to open it in VLC. The next time you are browsing the Files app you want to open another .mp4 file you should how have VLC listed at the top with the options 1) Just once 2) Always.

ceramics

Novalissoide I use another file manager, Material Files. Uninstalled it and reboot. Still the same.

Novalissoide

ceramics does that app allow you to longpress a file and select 'Open as'?

Novalissoide

ceramics Material Files

Tried it, and it does. But a bit cumbersome.

https://github.com/FossifyOrg/File-Manager/releases

The thing is to do 'Open as Other file', then several alternatives for opening shows up.

https://imgur.com/a/7vLdH08

ceramics

Novalissoide Yes it does.

ceramics

Novalissoide I still think there's something wrong with system App chooser. Or is it like that? I never even opened developer options or used adb not even once.

Novalissoide

ceramics You could try Settings > System > Reset options > Reset app preferences

This brings back the default 'open with' for most apps.

ceramics

Novalissoide I previously tried to clear the open by default in every app one by one, but no luck.

Seems like resetting option did the trick. Had to reconfigure all battery restrictions, notifications and some permissions.

Thanks for your time.

ceramics

userofgos Well I don't know what happens or if it has anything to do with any app I have installed, but that wasn't my experience. The first app was always the same no matter if I selected a different one previously. Once I tapped one of the other apps it would open it right away, not giving me the chance to select "Just once" or "Always". As a workaround, I disabled the first app until the one I wanted as default eventually appeared at the top.

userofgos

ceramics I could also be interpreting my interaction wrong as well. You may be right, what you described I've also experienced.