Android 14 prevents access to /Android/Data/*

[NuVanDibe]

• I have checked the known issues and searched Github to ensure this issue has not already been reported.
• This is not a feature request, I know those belong on Discord/Github Discussions.

Description of the bug:

Android introduced scoped storage access a few versions ago, and as of Android 14 restricts access to all apps so that it is not possible to copy files into Android/data/. This is an issue because the current method of installing mods requires accessing Android/data/com.dishii.mm/files. There is currently a workaround which involves using the Files app in the Play Store, but this app is being sunset at some point in the future and will no longer function as a workaround.

Can you reproduce? If so please list the steps:

• Yes, here are the steps to reproduce the bug:

1. Be using Android 14
2. Be not rooted
3. Try copying files into Android/data/com.dishii.soh/files

Expected behavior:

Mods are able to be installed.

System Information:

• OS: Android 14
• GFX Backend: NA
• Game Version:
• Rom Version: NA

Additional Information:

This also currently affects https://github.com/Waterdish/2ship2harkinian-Android

[Waterdish]

As far as I know, adb connections will still work going into the future so shizuku and file manager apps that work with it should be able to access those folders. Though I may still move the mods folder since this is a hassle for many people.

[Starkium]

there should be permission flags for external vs internal storage, there should still be a way to put files in an external directory.

[xfechx]

It would be amazing if save files and config are stored in the home folder instead of Android/data, as that would be so much easier to sync the save files to other devices. How it is currently setup is a hassle to do shizuku, etc. You can check how sm64coop does it in android, the save file is easily retrievable. Hopefully it can be done like that.

[izzy2lost]

I know MT Manager still works on Android 14 to access the android/data folder. You can try this?

[izzy2lost]

Here's a link to sm64ex-coop code for moving the directories out of the Android/data folder.

https://github.com/robertkirkman/sm64ex-coop/blob/815280fd49f03bc08ca63031a2abadbfe6e98789/src/pc/platform.c#L88

I don't think I know enough to implement this into this app, but maybe someone else does.

[xfechx]

I also don't know how to implement it, but is great that you found the lines that do that for sm64ex-coop. This should be even a standard with games because Android folder is more and more locked up. Maybe the mantainer could add it?

I haven't tried the MT Manager, but to be honest - I don't even want to make progress in the game if I have to manually move save files around. Too time consuming.

Hopefully someone with Android development skills can implement this using sm64coop as example.