How to create a new folder in android DCIM

Question

I am actually able to capture a photo and to save it in android external storage DCIM folder.

My problem is that I can't create a new folder in it, so DCIM/MyPic.jpg became DCIM/MyFolder/MyPic.jpg.

Here is my source code :

File f = new File(Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DCIM), "address");

if (!f.exists()) {
    f.mkdir();
}

File file = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory()
     + File.separator
     + "DCIM"
     + File.separator
     + "address"
     + File.separator
     , "IMG_001.jpg");

Notice that I correctly asked for WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission in manifest.

The intent part to capture photo is fine, because I can save it directly to DCIM.

I do not get any error message, but nothing happens... no 'address' folder created :(

Thanks for help :D

Min : 15, Target : 23. And I can mention that f.mkdir() always returns false. — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 01:12
I read this post but it doesn't help me to resolve my problem : http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7212559/android-mkdir-returns-false — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 01:20
You need to ask for the permissions programmatically as per new permission model from API 23 + . — Shadab Ansari, Jun 01 '16 at 01:41
It does not solve the problem. Permission is granted. If not, I could not save a file directly in DCIM but I am able to. — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 01:43
DCIM folder is used when connecting the device as Camera. Are you using emulator or physical device ? If you are using physical device, what usb option did you choose ? Also note that the conventional directory to save shared pictures for you application is the DIRECTORY_PICTURES and not DIRECTORY_DCIM. https://developer.android.com/reference/android/os/Environment.html#DIRECTORY_PICTURES — Tristan, Jun 01 '16 at 02:09
I use a physical device and when I run the app there is no usb connection. I use Drive to install it. — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 02:11
Same problem occurs in directory pictures. I am unable to create a subfolder — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 02:14
What is the android version of the device you are running the app on ? I just tried you code on an Android 6 and had the same problem until I asked for Runtime permission (new in Android 6) — Tristan, Jun 01 '16 at 02:32
Can you post your manifest please ? Also, can we know how do you test if the folder was actually created or not ? — Tristan, Jun 01 '16 at 02:42
I'm looking at the folder in Settings / Storage / Explorer / DCIM on the device — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 02:47
If your source code works, can you please show and explain it to give us the solution ? Thanks :) — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 02:48
consider reading this post http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33431277/unable-to-create-a-folder-in-android-m-programatically — Bakri Bitar, Jun 01 '16 at 09:34

score 9 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 01 '16 at 02:59

As posted in the comments, I tried your code and it worked for me.

MainActivity.java

public class MainActivity extends Activity {

    private final static String TAG = MainActivity.class.getSimpleName();

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

        final File f = new File(Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DCIM), "address");

        if (!f.exists()) {
            Log.d(TAG, "Folder doesn't exist, creating it...");
            boolean rv = f.mkdir();
            Log.d(TAG, "Folder creation " + ( rv ? "success" : "failed"));
        } else {
            Log.d(TAG, "Folder already exists.");
        }
    }
}

AndroidManifest.xml

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.tristan.testcreatedirectory">

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

<application
    android:allowBackup="true"
    android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:supportsRtl="true"
    android:theme="@style/AppTheme">

    <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
        </intent-filter>
    </activity>

</application>

Before launching the app I have to enable the permission manually because I am on Android 6.

** Logs when launching the app the first time **

D/MainActivity: Folder doesn't exist, creating it...
D/MainActivity: Folder creation success

** Logs when launching the app the second time **

D/MainActivity: Folder already exists.

Thanks a lot for your answer, but the same code do not work for me :( I am unable to create the directory and then save an image in it. — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 03:01
What are the logs when you run my code ? Can you paste it for me please ? — Tristan, Jun 01 '16 at 03:03
D/MainActivity: Folder doesn't exist, creating it... D/MainActivity: Folder creation failed — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 03:08
Ok are you able to put a breakpoint in the mkdir function ? (not the call, the implementation). There should be a try/catch into it, with a return false in the catch clause. Put a breakpoint on the return false; line and debug your app. You should be able to see the value of the exception and why it doesn't want to create the folder. — Tristan, Jun 01 '16 at 03:12
You were right ! My device is not on Marshmallow but I do target API 23 so requesting permission WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE programmatically was the solution ! I will post my source code as answer for further needs, but you get the credit for it ! — Alexandre Martin, Jun 01 '16 at 13:58

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 01 '16 at 14:03

boolean hasPermission = (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this,
        Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED);

if (!hasPermission) {
    ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,
            new String[]{Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE},
            REQUEST_WRITE_STORAGE);
}

else {
    createFolder();
}

@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
    super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
    switch (requestCode)
    {
        case REQUEST_WRITE_STORAGE: {
            if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED)
            {
                //reload my activity with permission granted or use the features what required the permission
                createFolder();

            } else
            {
                Toast.makeText(this, "The app was not allowed to write to your storage. Hence, it cannot function properly. Please consider granting it this permission", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
            }
        }
    }

}

public void createFolder() {

    final File f = new File(Environment.getExternalStoragePublicDirectory(Environment.DIRECTORY_DCIM), "address");

    if (!f.exists()) {
        Toast.makeText(this, "Folder doesn't exist, creating it...", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        boolean rv = f.mkdir();
        Toast.makeText(this, "Folder creation " + ( rv ? "success" : "failed"), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    } else {
        Toast.makeText(this, "Folder already exists.", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    }

}

How to create a new folder in android DCIM

2 Answers2