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The original was posted on /r/androiddev by /u/Reasonable-Tour-8246 on 2025-10-14 08:37:59+00:00.

I have been trying to build a secure version of a file manager for Android apps. My goal was simple allow users to manage and secure their files without compromising privacy.

But I keep hitting walls because of Google’s policies. Since Android 10+, scoped storage is mandatory, and the restriction on MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE is a massive barrier.

If Google truly wants apps to access files, why not provide a proper, secure way for developers to do it instead of restricting us? Right now, it feels like innovation is being stifled. We can’t build secure, fully functional file managers without jumping through hoops or asking for sensitive permissions that users may distrust.

It’s annoying because the intention behind scoped storage (privacy) is valid, but the implementation is developer unfriendly.

I have tried to research on Google policies but each time I look on them, I find tears dropping as my goals are going to die with such policies.