yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
FX 2.3.0.10 (moved from beta channel to production)

Now available via Play Store (beta channel) or direct download: http://android.nextapp.com/fx/r2100/FX_r2100.apk

(RECAP) Cumulative changes in 2.3.0.10 relative to 2.2.x:

Added "Cleaning Tools" to Resources section. Cleaning Tools shows you storage usage on each user-accessible storage location (e.g. internal storage and external media card). Tapping on a storage location in Cleaning Tools takes you into a size-sorted directory browser that is locked in "Usage View" mode. Hidden files are automatically shown.

Added "Remove Duplicates" tool (under Cleaning Tools) to locate identical files and provide a convenient way to delete duplicate versions.

Added "Show Large Files" tool (under Cleaning Tools) which is a simply a local search for all files > 20MiB in size, size sorted.

Added ability to filter file listings. Tap the "Tools" menu and then "Filter" to begin. Files that don't match the text you type will be hidden. If you don't use asterisks or question marks (*/?) then it behaves as a simple text search. If you use */?, FX will only match that file mask. For example, use "com.sec.*.apk" to find Samsung APKs in a directory.

APK icons are now displayed in /data/data, and storage/Android/data folders (and in other places where package-related stuff likes to hang out).

Added option to copy file path in "Details" activity.

NOTE: this version will recreate your file index database, requiring all files to be reindexed when you first perform a search or activate any usage view / cleaning tools items.
[Android Apps and Games] Nucleotide:
Some awesome additions in there. Thank you! :)
[Android Apps and Games] JHimmelbauer:
Works perfect

Thank you again for your great work!
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Some extremely bad news...

KitKat will make your SD Card completely useless: per the API specification, apps can no longer write files to your SD card.

And Samsung is following it.

https://plus.google.com/108338299717386673901/posts/gjnmuaDM8sn

Please, please, please, someone disprove this and tell me I'm overreacting and full of s___.
[Android Apps and Games] iXNyNe:
I'm on KitKat and I don't have issues using fx to manage files of my internal or external sdcard... And root isn't required to do so... This was a big scare when KitKat first released, but I believe is also involves selinux being set to enforcing rather than permissive by default.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Is this on your GS2 (or on anything else with a non-stock ROM)? ROM developers won't allow this nonsense, pretty much all of us with custom ROMs or even just root access are in the clear. Unfortunately I think the average stock-firmware user is in for a terrible surprise.
[Android Apps and Games] iXNyNe:
Yeah gs2 on omni. Like I said I am pretty sure its all about selinux. By default most custom Roms set it to permissive, but when this change first showed up in the aosp code custom Roms were shipping enforcing and it caused issues installing apps that wanted to default install the app itself to the sdcard. You can download an app from the play store to switch your selinux mode (with root) and when you reboot some of your apps will probably disappear but fx should still work for fil management. I'll give it a try.

---------- Post added at 07:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 AM ----------

And it looks like I AM set to enforcing so I imagine that my custom ROM has modified the selinux policy that would normally prevent sdcard access. Anyone on a stock 4.4 ROM who is rooted should test this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mrbimc.selinux and switch selinux mode and see if you can modify files on your sdcard.
[Android Apps and Games] Nucleotide:
This is kind of a **** thing to do because developers like you who create File Managers and other alike apps are going to cop all the negative reviews and flak on Google Play for it.

Is there some kind of warning you can put into FX upon opening it that would provide a quick explanation of the potential issues - something quick and simple basically stating that FX isn't to blame?

I'd hate to start seeing heaps of negative reviews heading your way for something you're unable to control. :good:
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Yes, and I'm working on it.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
How does this error message sound?

I'm really not sure how to explain this politely. What I'd like to say in that dialog box would require an adjustment to FX's content/maturity rating in the Play Store.
[Android Apps and Games] Nucleotide:
Sounds ok, but for those that aren't really 'switched on' for lack of a better word, would it be worth mentioning quite clearly it's not a fault of FX. For example...
[Android Apps and Games] iXNyNe:
That's a bit long, tl;Dr

But I completely agree with the wording and message. Something like this bit shorter. I say this because most users won't spend the time reading WHY, and will just ***** that it doesn't work.

I would assume this message is only displayed after some kind of check to see if fx can modify files?
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Yes, I'm checking to make sure a few conditions are met (KitKat, multiple user storages, etc) and then writing a test file at the root of the failed storage (after a failed operation).
[Android Apps and Games] Nplus1:
Hello tliebeck,

Any chance of fixing file sharing for cloud accounts? On my Nexus 4 (stock KitKat 4.4.2) trying to share a file does nothing, there's no app picker displayed.

I've emailed you about this issue with screenshots about 2 weeks ago but did not get any reply.

Thank you in advance!
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
My apologies for not replying, it's been a rough couple of weeks. I still need to really look into what's possible here. That "Send" option likely needs to be removed for the duration. I do want to add proper support for sharing items via the cloud (to the extent that cloud vendors allow third-party developers to do so...again need to look into it).
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Some mildly good news on the KitKat dual-storage front. I've think I've devised a means of writing to the SD card even with the restrictions added in KitKat (and without root).

I've posted up the solution in the developer forum here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2634840

This is not actually in FX yet, and should still be considered very experimental. And I can't imagine that this doesn't get broken in the future, though it is using a published API (content provider).
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Experimental Release: FX 2.3.1.1 (direct download only):

As it's experimental, it's *only* here: http://android.nextapp.com/fx/r2102x/FX_r2102x.apk

This version is only of interest to people who have Android 4.4 KitKat and a dual-storage device on a (mostly) stock ROM. (e.g. Samsung Note3 or Galaxy S4).

File writing is accomplished via the media-provider file write solution to FX that is written up here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2634840

This version lacks support for renaming or moving files. Renames and moves will unfortunately likely need to be done via copy-and-then-delete. So if you want to rename a folder than has 10GiB of data in it, step #2 is to visit the fridge.

The alternative file write code is only triggered after failing to write using the standard file API.

In order to write to the SD card on KitKat, you must first enable this feature: Open the settings and select "File Management", then check the last option, "Write Access via Media Provider"

I would hugely appreciate any feedback on how well it works, so far I've not been able to test it on an actual 4.4 dual storage device (only a 4.3 device that has been deliberately broken to act like 4.4).

Please bear in mind this is an experimental build. Don't use it to move your only video of your child taking his first steps to your SD card.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
OT: New app out, an AOSP-based keyboard with cursor arrow keys and other goodies. I switched from a Droid 4 to a Note 3 as my personal phone and this is the result. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2640367
[Android Apps and Games] neu - smurph:
Compatible Media Streaming Apps??

Hi,

Long time user of ES File Explorer, but I've just discovered FX File Explorer and Websharing.

Websharing is brilliant - purchased full version already - much more user friendly than the other apps I've used for similar functionality (SambaDroid and ES file explorer's built in FTP server).

I also really like the FX File Explorer UI over ES Explorer, but am holding off purchase pending working out the best way to stream music/video from SMB and Google Drive shares - ES Explorer has inbuilt players and it's inbuilt playlist function makes this very easy.

So my question is can anyone recommend Music / Video Player apps that can stream from an FX File Explorer SMB/Google Drive share with a playlist function, or at a push are compatible with .m3u playlist files? I don't want to use Google Play Music.

Thanks.
[Android Apps and Games] Nucleotide:
I don't know about music, but movies play fine for me streaming via SMB using MX Player - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mxtech.videoplayer.ad

:good:
[Android Apps and Games] neu - smurph:
Thanks - works perfectly for video.

I've tried a few different music players now (using the 7 day cloud/media add-on trial) and can't do more than stream a single track at a time.

I guess the 'Play all music files in this directory' feature mentioned above was never implemented??
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Correct, not implemented yet, it's certainly still on the todo list and with somewhat high importance. The lack of a built-in music player in FX is a definite shortcoming in my opinion.
[Android Apps and Games] neu - smurph:
Excellent - you'll have yourself another paying customer when that is up and running :good:
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Beta Release: FX 2.3.1.1 (now in Play Store beta channel, same release as above):

Direct download version: http://android.nextapp.com/fx/r2102x/FX_r2102x.apk

This release features explanatory error messages when a file operation fails due to Android 4.4 KitKat's restrictions on writing to the media card.

It also offers a potential experimental workaround for this problem. As this is experimental, it must be turned on in the settings. To do so, open the settings and select "File Management", then check the last option, "Write Access via Media Provider (EXPERIMENTAL)". I've still yet to receive any reports from any dual-storage stock-ROMed KitKat users as to whether or not this feature improves the situation on their devices. I can currently only test it on an Android 4.3 device modified to behave like KitKat does with regard to SD cards.

Google Play Beta Testing information

You can sign up for beta testing using the Google Play Store's new app beta-testing feature.

If you'd like to beta test FX, you can do so by joining this Google+ community: https://plus.google.com/communities/101301040394875566704

Once you've joined, you can opt-in to use beta instead of released version here: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/nextapp.fx
[Android Apps and Games] neu - smurph:
Is it possible to hide the send function when browsing network/cloud shares? It throws an error anyway if you try and use it in this context.
[Android Apps and Games] iXNyNe:
Confirmed on both network (ssh) and cloud (drop box)
[Android Apps and Games] bombadier:
Really enjoying the app,seem to have a problem with the text editor,touchscreen's accuracy is off and I can't select text,is this a known problem,or how to fix?thanks in advance

Tapatyping from my nexus
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Haven't seen that before, you should be able to press and hold to select text. The editor is based on the stock Android editor component. Do you see similar bugs in other text editors/text fields (most Android apps use this same mechanism).

I've never found much precision with touching locations in the editor though. I've seen that it's accurate (e.g. using a Stylus on a Samsung Note), but my fingers are too fat to be precise.

You might try Hacker's keyboard or this thing: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2640367 (NextApp Keyboard), where you can use shift+arrow keys to select text.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
FX 2.3.1.7 (released to beta channel)

Now available via Play Store (beta channel) or direct download: http://android.nextapp.com/fx/r2108/FX_r2108.apk

Changes in 2.3.1.7 relative to 2.3.1.1:

New startup dialog explaining KitKat SD card restrictions (should only display for KitKat users with dual storage. FX Root users will get an additional tip.

Added warning dialogs to experimental KitKat workaround preference (only visible to KitKat users).

Google Play Beta Testing information

You can sign up for beta testing using the Google Play Store's new app beta-testing feature.

If you'd like to beta test FX, you can do so by joining this Google+ community: https://plus.google.com/communities/101301040394875566704

Once you've joined, you can opt-in to use beta instead of released version here: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/nextapp.fx

And because everyone loves screenshots (except this one):

Makes me sick to see this garbage. First time I've really abhorred a move made by Google on Android. I've been annoyed and disagreed, but this is an entirely differently animal. They got it wrong.
[Android Apps and Games] Avuton Olrich:
I think they got it right, except for the exemption. That's pretty bogus. I actually hate when apps write anything to my internal or external storage, unless I specifically ask for a configuration backup. In my eyes, this storage is a place for my personal stuff.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
I certainly agree on the issue of apps placing data in annoying locations in your storage. The Android API provides a means for app data storage, and developers need to learn to use it.

That said, when you say you want apps to not be able to do X, that means that *YOU* want to be prohibited from doing that.

This change also only affects the "secondary" storage on dual storage phones. There has never been a problem with apps abusing the secondary storage. If a developer isn't knowledgeable enough to know where to put app files on the primary storage, there's almost zero chance he/she well have any idea how to even locate the secondary storage. This change well provide you with no benefit.
[Android Apps and Games] Ultramanoid:
They've been wanting to kill the SD card for a while now. With KitKat they also managed to pretty much kill 90% of browsers ( all that rely on the utterly broken chrome webview forced now instead of webkit ). Not evolving in the right direction at all.

Thank you for your apps and concern for the end users.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
FX 2.3.1.7 (promoted from beta channel to production)

Now available via Play Store (beta channel) or direct download: http://android.nextapp.com/fx/r2108/FX_r2108.apk

Changes in 2.3.1.7 relative to 2.3.1.1:

New startup dialog explaining KitKat SD card restrictions (should only display for KitKat users with dual storage. FX Root users will get an additional tip.

Added warning dialogs to experimental KitKat workaround preference (only visible to KitKat users).
[Android Apps and Games] mbc07:
[MENTION=2954544]tliebeck[/MENTION]: when you're moving/copying files/folders, if an error occur in one of the files (e.g. access denied, file couldn't be read, etc), the entire copy/move operation stops. Would it be possible to add an option to skip/retry the file/folder that triggered the error and continue the move/copy operation?
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
There is an auto-resume option in the settings, under "File Management". It's currently marked experimental, but it should be solid. It's not interactive though.
[Android Apps and Games] pdkreitler:
Can't Remount System RW

I'm hoping someone can help. I'm a long time File Explorer user. I love the app. I recently got a Galaxy S4 Mini and rooted it. I have SuperSU installed and root access. For some unknown reason, however, I can't get the system folder to remount as RW. It's driving me mad. Any suggestions?

Thanks.
[Android Apps and Games] Pons:
First, in FX, go to Settings, Root, and try Root Access Diagnostics. If that checks out, maybe a logcat could help. Also make sure you're viewing System (root) and not just System.

Unrelated note: I think adding a way to copy the path of a file (maybe through long click) would be useful. I'm trying to give someone the full path to a file or folder, and I have to type it out manually.
[Android Apps and Games] Ultramanoid:
If all else fails, launch a terminal on the device and run :

su
mount -ro remount,rw /system
[Android Apps and Games] Ultramanoid:
Sorry if this has been asked before; I've searched the thread and the app's settings but didn't find a way to disable listing folders before files. Is it possible ?
[Android Apps and Games] pdkreitler:
Thanks: It says the Root module is installed, says Busybox exists, Root Shell Test is OK
[Android Apps and Games] Pons:
Again, make sure you're using System (root) and not just System. And a logcat would help.
[Android Apps and Games] pdkreitler:
I am working in the System (Root) folder. Under FileSystems, it says the Remount is Allowed. When I try to remount the volume as R/W, the lock on the upper right stays closed.
[Android Apps and Games] Pons:
Yep. Sounds like you're doing everything right. Which is why a logcat would help.
[Android Apps and Games] pdkreitler:
I did this successfully and had access to "root@android:/"

I then moved back into FX, but the Lock still shows in the upper right corner. :(

---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 PM ----------

Adding to this strange behavior, I can successfully remount System as RW in ES Explorer. In ES Explorer I can write to the System Root, but not FX.

How to I enable logging for FX?
[Android Apps and Games] pdkreitler:
I ran LogCat and here's what it wrote when FX was remounting:

"Remounting Filesystem: mount -o rw,remount -t rootfs rootfs /"

But, the lock icon doesn't change, and I can't write to the volume.
[Android Apps and Games] thedicemaster:
it should say what went wrong right after that.
[Android Apps and Games] bataya:
Just wondering did you have any plan of implementing suport for editing archives?

I get error when try to cat/copy/delete files from zip and rar archives.
[Android Apps and Games] freelsd:
@tliebeck

I've got a few features that would make FX app 100% perfect.

A few things I would love to see are:

- Batch Renaming.

- Undo/Redo functionality for any actions performed on files or directories. To be specific, I want to be able to undo moving, renaming or deleting a file.

- Renaming to a different case. When renaming a file, merely changing case should not produce an error that a file pre exists with that name.

- Search tool for last modified files and folders.
[Android Apps and Games] Dronak:
I just started running into this problem with third-party apps not being to access the external memory card in the same was as before after upgrading my Sprint Note 3 to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Currently, I am not rooted (I'd prefer not to void the warranty right now) and wasn't sure if I could find a work-around. While searching for info, I found this app and decided it was worth a try -- XDA's always got good stuff. Since the free version doesn't do network connections though, I couldn't try exactly what I did before (copying from computer to external memory card over WiFi). But I was able to copy some files from the phone's internal memory to the external memory card with that experimental secondary storage setting turned on, something that ES File Explorer apparently can't do anymore. Granted, I'm just a single case here, but it looks to me like this app is able to work around the SD card issue, at least to some degree, on a stock unrooted Note 3. Thanks for looking into a non-root solution to this issue.
[Android Apps and Games] reksden:
root mandatory?
[Android Apps and Games] iXNyNe:
Root is not mandatory to use this app, however doing some things with the app require root (like modifying system files).

For basic file management on your sdcard you'll likely never need root.
[Android Apps and Games] GermainZ:
That's not an issue with the app, but a "feature" in KitKat. As you said, you can use to experimental setting but that's all that can be done AFAIK without modifying your ROM.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Thanks much for reporting this, greatly appreciate it! Can you check if you're able to create new folders?
[Android Apps and Games] Dronak:
Sure. When I tried to create a new folder or copy an existing one, it did not appear to work. Creating a new file or copying an existing one did seem to work though. So in my case, it looks like file operations are OK, but folder operations are not. That's better than nothing though. Thanks.
[Android Apps and Games] elban:
+1

hmmm I believe this should work, maybe the problem is that FAT filesystems are case insensitive, so "AAA" and "aaa" are the same file...
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
The case-change bug is definitely on the list. The standard Java file I/O API won't do it. I tried working around this once with an intermediate rename operation, but found it triggered a very odd behavior where the file seemed to be hidden. Not sure what was causing it, didn't appear to be the "usual suspects" e.g. Android media database isssues. Need to revisit this.
[Android Apps and Games] freelsd:
What about other features?
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Last modfied search already works (add criteria, date). I do need to add the ability to bookmark searches though.

Undo/redo would be neat, need to first implement fully pause/resumable file operations.

Batch renaming is on the list, but I need to get after some more popular feature requests first.
[Android Apps and Games] freelsd:
Why search tool(?) shows narrow background when the keyboard is active?
[Android Apps and Games] mbc07:
[MENTION=2954544]tliebeck[/MENTION], found a small bug with renaming... if I have a folder/file named "sample" and try to rename it to "Sample" (or "SAMPLE" or anything that just change some letters to uppercase/lowecase) it throws an error saying that a file with that name already exists. The workaround is renaming to something different (like "samplea") and then renaming again to the previous title with uppercase/lowercase change...
[Android Apps and Games] freelsd:
We have talked about this before.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
It appears the background does resize when the keyboard is present...I'm guessing it's a small background image and FX isn't set up to stretch it.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
This is on the to-do list for zips, but RARs will regrettably always be read only as the people who created it specify that be the case in their licenses.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Sorry for the delay in response, any update on this?

If you remount as R/W using ES, does the lock icon change to a red unlock symbol in FX?
[Android Apps and Games] everlethal:
Hi tliebeck,

Any news about SystemPanel?
[Android Apps and Games] pdkreitler:
Thank you for the suggestion. I tried this and the lock icon doesn't change. When I remount the system in FX, I get a confirmation that the system was remounted, but the system still remains RO.

It's strange.
[Android Apps and Games] tliebeck:
Has anyone been having an issue with general superuser access in FX? Have been seeing ratings decline for the add-on, but have still yet to see any issue with any test device. Additionally users aren't reporting actual issues, just giving it one-star ratings with no comment. Five-star ratings are showing up at the same time, so it's likely that it's a small group of people who are affected (for any given product, upset customers will provide bad reviews at 10-100x the rate that happy customers will provide good ones).

Only thing I can think of is people are seeing the issue "pdkreitler" is reporting, but I still haven't found a way to replicate that anywhere.