...and a few versions back.
Apparently whatever file manager you use to copy files from your
computer (specifically .pdfs and ebooks) sets the permissions on those
files so that you can ONLY read them with your reader by going through
that file manager -- which alters the way the readers operate. If it
weren't for that this would be a nuisance, but acceptable.
Removing the 'defaults' doesn't work. Deleting the offending file
manager doesn't work. We've used Cx, ES and the 'Files' app on the just-purchased Lenovo.
Is there some way of changing the permissions of the files such that the
file managers are entirely out of the picture? Presumably rooting the
tablet would do it, but I don't want to do that.
Apparently whatever file manager you use to copy files from your
computer (specifically .pdfs and ebooks) sets the permissions on those
files so that you can ONLY read them with your reader by going through
that file manager -- which alters the way the readers operate.
Removing the 'defaults' doesn't work. Deleting the offending file
manager doesn't work. We've used Cx, ES and the 'Files' app on the just-purchased Lenovo.
Is there some way of changing the permissions of the files such that the
file managers are entirely out of the picture? Presumably rooting the
tablet would do it, but I don't want to do that.
Unfortunately, the version that is currently on my phone (transferred
from an earlier device) doesn't appear to work with Android 12, but the
icon for it is different than the app with the same name currently on
Google Play. YMMV.
Apparently whatever file manager you use to copy files from your
computer (specifically .pdfs and ebooks) sets the permissions on those
files so that you can ONLY read them with your reader by going through
that file manager -- which alters the way the readers operate. If it
weren't for that this would be a nuisance, but acceptable.
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
...and a few versions back.
Apparently whatever file manager you use to copy files from your
computer (specifically .pdfs and ebooks) sets the permissions on those
files so that you can ONLY read them with your reader by going through
that file manager -- which alters the way the readers operate. If it
weren't for that this would be a nuisance, but acceptable.
Removing the 'defaults' doesn't work. Deleting the offending file
manager doesn't work. We've used Cx, ES and the 'Files' app on the
just-purchased Lenovo.
I don't have any ebooks to try, but I can open .pdf files from either Samsung's 'My Files' app or the 'FX File Explorer' [1] app. So it works
for two file managers, not just one.
Perhaps relevant: When I copy files to the phone, I nearly always use
an USB connection and (Windows) File Manager, i.e. a MTP connection.
Perhaps you can set up a MTP connection on your Linux system and see
if that makes any difference.
Is there some way of changing the permissions of the files such that the
file managers are entirely out of the picture? Presumably rooting the
tablet would do it, but I don't want to do that.
[...]
[1] 'FX File Explorer' <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.fx>
(I use FX File Explorer because I no longer want to use dodgy Chinese
file managers like ES File Explorer (ambiguous name).)
Addendum: I had used the 'files' manager to do the transfer on the
no-name tablet and thought that that solved the problem on the Lenovo
tablet, but it didn't. 'Files' just assumed ownership instead of ES or
Cx.
Removing the 'defaults' doesn't work. Deleting the offending file
manager doesn't work. We've used Cx, ES and the 'Files' app on the
just-purchased Lenovo.
I use the ftp function of ES or Cx to suck files from my computer. That seems to be the only way to do it with tablets or the Pixel2. I have
been thus far unable to 'see' the phone with my computer in spite of
plugging in the USB cable and setting the USB to 'file transfer'.
Developer options > Default USB configuration
"This setting will be applied when your phone is unlocked & connected
to another device. Only connect to devices that you trust."
1. Transferring files <=== Mine is set to this
2. USB tethering
3. MIDI
4. Transferring images <=== what the heck is that for? Is that MTP?
5. Charging phone only <=== make sure it's NOT set to this
--
It's hard to help others when the platforms and versions are different.
I have tried 3 file managers to suck files FROM my computer, and all
three latch on to the files and demand that they be read ONLY through
them -- and the performance of the readers themselves is changed. Not acceptable.
I'm looking for a way to use linux to copy files FROM my linux computer
to the android tablets. Windows and some versions of linux do this with
no further attention. As I mentioned previously, slackware is as user-friendly as a cornered rat.
On 11/21/23 10:53 AM, Wally J wrote:
...
Developer options > Default USB configuration
"This setting will be applied when your phone is unlocked & connected
to another device. Only connect to devices that you trust."
1. Transferring files <=== Mine is set to this
2. USB tethering
3. MIDI
4. Transferring images <=== what the heck is that for? Is that MTP?
5. Charging phone only <=== make sure it's NOT set to this
--
It's hard to help others when the platforms and versions are different.
I have tried 3 file managers to suck files FROM my computer, and all
three latch on to the files and demand that they be read ONLY through
them -- and the performance of the readers themselves is changed. Not acceptable.
I'm looking for a way to use linux to copy files FROM my linux computer
to the android tablets. Windows and some versions of linux do this with
no further attention. As I mentioned previously, slackware is as user-friendly as a cornered rat.
1. Transferring files <=== Mine is set to this
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
On 11/21/23 10:53 AM, Wally J wrote:
4. Transferring images <=== what the heck is that for? Is that MTP?
Nope, that's PTP, Picture Transfer Protocol.
'Wally J' (aka 'Arlen Holder') probably can help with using MTP on
Linux and probably Carlos can as well.
'Arlen' already gave the correct USB setting on the Android side:
1. Transferring files <=== Mine is set to this
And I indeed mean copying files FROM the computer TO the Android
device, by using a 'file manager' ON the computer.
At some point Android added some sort of 'sandboxing' function, but I
didn't pay any attention. Is this perhaps the result?
On 11/20/23 10:44 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
...and a few versions back.
Apparently whatever file manager you use to copy files from your
computer (specifically .pdfs and ebooks) sets the permissions on
those files so that you can ONLY read them with your reader by going
through that file manager -- which alters the way the readers
operate. If it weren't for that this would be a nuisance, but
acceptable.
Addendum:Â I had used the 'files' manager to do the transfer on the
no-name tablet and thought that that solved the problem on the Lenovo
tablet, but it didn't. 'Files' just assumed ownership instead of ES or Cx.
Removing the 'defaults' doesn't work. Deleting the offending file
manager doesn't work. We've used Cx, ES and the 'Files' app on the
just-purchased Lenovo.
I use the ftp function of ES or Cx to suck files from my computer. That seems to be the only way to do it with tablets or the Pixel2. I have
been thus far unable to 'see' the phone with my computer in spite of
plugging in the USB cable and setting the USB to 'file transfer'. lsusb sees
    Bus 003 Device 016: ID 18d1:4ee1 Google Inc. Nexus 4 / 10
but fdisk -l doesn't see it. dmesg sees
    new high-speed USB device number 16 using xhci_hcd
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet,
only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Maybe your pdf reader can ask for permission to read some folders, or
maybe all folders, on the phone.
On 11/22/23 3:26 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the
computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet,
only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit
permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
I was hoping that perhaps files sent BY the computer would be accessible
by any app on the phone, but that's looking increasingly unrealistic. I suspect -- without having tried -- that the first app used would lay
claim. That would be OK for reading books (EBookDroid is about as good
as it gets, even though the guy hasn't updated it for 2 years), but
perhaps not for other files.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Hrm. Is that subdirectory actually common? How can I tell except by
trial and error?
Maybe your pdf reader can ask for permission to read some folders, or
maybe all folders, on the phone.
I would think that that was the default, at least for files that it was
built to handle, but apparently I was mistaken.
On 11/22/23 3:26 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the
computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet,
only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit
permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
I was hoping that perhaps files sent BY the computer would be accessible
by any app on the phone, but that's looking increasingly unrealistic. I >suspect -- without having tried -- that the first app used would lay
claim. That would be OK for reading books (EBookDroid is about as good
as it gets, even though the guy hasn't updated it for 2 years), but
perhaps not for other files.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Hrm. Is that subdirectory actually common? How can I tell except by
trial and error?
Maybe your pdf reader can ask for permission to read some folders, or
maybe all folders, on the phone.
I would think that that was the default, at least for files that it was
built to handle, but apparently I was mistaken.
Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
On 11/21/23 10:53 AM, Wally J wrote:
4. Transferring images <=== what the heck is that for? Is that MTP?
Nope, that's PTP, Picture Transfer Protocol.
Hi Frank,
Ah. Thanks. That makes sense. Much appreciated the clarification, not only for me, but for everyone like The Real Bev who has USB-transfer issues.
You hate me but I will agree with anyone on Usenet who makes a sensible assessment of fact, no matter what nym shows up in their wrapping paper.
BTW, I read all your posts, and I thank you for not only helping me hone my headers, but also for reporting me to many of the nntp news admins
(some of whom told me you did that).
'Wally J' (aka 'Arlen Holder') probably can help with using MTP on
Linux and probably Carlos can as well.
'Arlen' already gave the correct USB setting on the Android side:
I used that meaningless nym in the wrapping paper until Rod Speed and
nospam both (but more directly Rod Speed) asked for people to murder me.
Interesting how one of many sticks - like a particularly pretty wrapper. They're all from a dictionary culled from Usenet posts on hundreds of ngs.
1. Transferring files <=== Mine is set to this
And I indeed mean copying files FROM the computer TO the Android
device, by using a 'file manager' ON the computer.
For The Real Bev's benefit, you are probably the most knowledgeable here on file transfer although I'm no slouch given I've tested every known method.
For example, you taught me (and all of us) about FTPUse and the problem
with SMB ports on any Android CIFs/SMB/Samba client, and you tried to teach me about Usenet headers (you always let me know when they're screwed up).
While I grew up on computers during the heady Unix days, and I worked on SunOS/Solaris and Masscomp and DEC VAX/VMS for years before the advent of Redhat (which, when I retired, I moved to CentOS and then to Ubuntu), I
don't recall ever having the problem that The Real Bev is experiencing.
Linux usually worked even better than Windows (if you can believe that), especially when connecting to the walled-garden iOS devices I owned.
I think it could be that the problems The Real Bev is having are related to permissions, but I never really understood how Android does permissions.
For the record, I don't hate you. For me, 'hate' is an emotion I
luckily have for very few - if any - people.
I used that meaningless nym in the wrapping paper until Rod Speed and
nospam both (but more directly Rod Speed) asked for people to murder me.
You mention that once in a while, but you never posted any proof of
those threats.
It's actually *you* who pointed *me* to FTPUse! :-) But the rest is
mostly correct.
One exception is the 'Android' folder which it says I can only access from
a PC. That contains a set of folders each owned by a single app. You can
pull and push files in there with adb - probably with MTP too.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Hrm. Is that subdirectory actually common? How can I tell except by
trial and error?
It is standard, but name can vary. Files says it in Spanish for me.
On 11/22/23 3:26 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet,
only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
I was hoping that perhaps files sent BY the computer would be accessible
by any app on the phone, but that's looking increasingly unrealistic.
I
suspect -- without having tried -- that the first app used would lay
claim. That would be OK for reading books (EBookDroid is about as good
as it gets, even though the guy hasn't updated it for 2 years), but
perhaps not for other files.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Hrm. Is that subdirectory actually common? How can I tell except by
trial and error?
Maybe your pdf reader can ask for permission to read some folders, or
maybe all folders, on the phone.
I would think that that was the default, at least for files that it was
built to handle, but apparently I was mistaken.
Sadly, neither 'Arlen' nor Carlos have commented on how to set up such
a USB MTP connection on the Linux side. They only covered the Android
side.
They should not make any permission changes to folders *outside* their 'territory', i.e. *outside* /Android/[data|obb|<etc>/<app-id>.
For this very purpose, many apps have 'import' and 'export' functions.
They import files into their territory, do whatever they like with the imported copy and export them, so they can be used by other apps.
For example OsmAnd+ has an Export function (Settings -> Backup &
Restore -> Back up as file -> Export), so you can export Settings, My
Places and Resources to a file, so that can be backed up by a backup
app, which has no access to that data within OsmAnd+'s territory.
It is common and probably even standard in all Android versions. The
actual folder name is probably /Download (no trailing 's'), but as
Carlos mentioned it might have a local language synonym and in other
places it might have a slightly different name. For example in the 'Categories' section of Samsung's My Files app, it's called 'Downloads'
(with trailing 's').
Try to keep the original copy of your files outside the app's
territory (/Android/...) ad only the working copy inside the app's
territory.
In summary: Where to keep your files? *Anywhere* shown by the *native* 'file manager' of your Android device (*not* Cx, ES, <whatever>),
*except* /Android [1].
[1] '/Android' is actually something like '/Interal storage/Android'
(and possibly also something like '/<SD whatever>/Android', if you have
a SD-card).
On 2023-11-23 03:15, The Real Bev wrote:
On 11/22/23 3:26 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the
computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet,
only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit
permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
I was hoping that perhaps files sent BY the computer would be
accessible by any app on the phone, but that's looking increasingly
unrealistic. I suspect -- without having tried -- that the first app
used would lay claim. That would be OK for reading books (EBookDroid
is about as good as it gets, even though the guy hasn't updated it for
2 years), but perhaps not for other files.
I just tried with my EBookDroid and it can see all directories.
Hamburger Menu, Local files.
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
On 11/22/23 3:26 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the
computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet,
only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit
permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
I was hoping that perhaps files sent BY the computer would be accessible
by any app on the phone, but that's looking increasingly unrealistic.
No, as I said before, if the transfer is done by MTP with a file
manager *on the computer*, it probably *will* work. As I mentioned, it
works for me when using a USB MTP connection from the Windows File
Explorer on the computer side.
Sadly, neither 'Arlen' nor Carlos have commented on how to set up such
a USB MTP connection on the Linux side. They only covered the Android
side.
I
suspect -- without having tried -- that the first app used would lay
claim. That would be OK for reading books (EBookDroid is about as good
as it gets, even though the guy hasn't updated it for 2 years), but
perhaps not for other files.
They should not make any permission changes to folders *outside* their 'territory', i.e. *outside* /Android/[data|obb|<etc>/<app-id>.
For this very purpose, many apps have 'import' and 'export' functions. They import files into their territory, do whatever they like with the imported copy and export them, so they can be used by other apps.
For example OsmAnd+ has an Export function (Settings -> Backup &
Restore -> Back up as file -> Export), so you can export Settings, My
Places and Resources to a file, so that can be backed up by a backup
app, which has no access to that data within OsmAnd+'s territory.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Hrm. Is that subdirectory actually common? How can I tell except by
trial and error?
It is common and probably even standard in all Android versions. The actual folder name is probably /Download (no trailing 's'), but as
Carlos mentioned it might have a local language synonym and in other
places it might have a slightly different name. For example in the 'Categories' section of Samsung's My Files app, it's called 'Downloads'
(with trailing 's').
Maybe your pdf reader can ask for permission to read some folders, or
maybe all folders, on the phone.
I would think that that was the default, at least for files that it was
built to handle, but apparently I was mistaken.
Try to keep the original copy of your files outside the app's
territory (/Android/...) ad only the working copy inside the app's
territory.
In summary: Where to keep your files? *Anywhere* shown by the *native* 'file manager' of your Android device (*not* Cx, ES, <whatever>),
*except* /Android [1].
[1] '/Android' is actually something like '/Interal storage/Android'
(and possibly also something like '/<SD whatever>/Android', if you have
a SD-card).
On 2023-11-23 03:15, The Real Bev wrote:
On 11/22/23 3:26 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the
computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet,
only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit
permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
I was hoping that perhaps files sent BY the computer would be accessible
by any app on the phone, but that's looking increasingly unrealistic. I >> suspect -- without having tried -- that the first app used would lay
claim. That would be OK for reading books (EBookDroid is about as good
as it gets, even though the guy hasn't updated it for 2 years), but
perhaps not for other files.
I just tried with my EBookDroid and it can see all directories.
Hamburger Menu, Local files.
On the phone setup, Applications, EBookDroid, Permissions, I have (translating from Spanish, so wording can differ):
Files and multimedia content
Access during the las 24 hours · All files
Check that one.
Also on "Applications not used" disable "remove permissions and free space".
If you want to see "all permissions", tap on the mini-hamburger menu top right.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Hrm. Is that subdirectory actually common? How can I tell except by
trial and error?
It is standard, but name can vary. Files says it in Spanish for me.
Maybe your pdf reader can ask for permission to read some folders, or
maybe all folders, on the phone.
I would think that that was the default, at least for files that it was
built to handle, but apparently I was mistaken.
No, when it runs the first time it asks Android for permissions, and may
be able to access all PDF only on some directories.
And Android by default will remove all permissions 2 or 3 months later
if no usage.
On 11/23/23 12:09 AM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-23 03:15, The Real Bev wrote:
On 11/22/23 3:26 PM, Carlos E. R. wrote:
On 2023-11-21 18:30, The Real Bev wrote:
You can change your permission problem if you use a file manager on the >>>> computer, not on the phone. If you use any app on the phone or tablet, >>>> only that app will have access to the files, unless you give explicit
permission to some other app. This step I don't have clear.
I was hoping that perhaps files sent BY the computer would be
accessible by any app on the phone, but that's looking increasingly
unrealistic. I suspect -- without having tried -- that the first app
used would lay claim. That would be OK for reading books (EBookDroid
is about as good as it gets, even though the guy hasn't updated it
for 2 years), but perhaps not for other files.
I just tried with my EBookDroid and it can see all directories.
Hamburger Menu, Local files.
On the phone setup, Applications, EBookDroid, Permissions, I have
(translating from Spanish, so wording can differ):
   Files and multimedia content
   Access during the las 24 hours · All files
Check that one.
Also on "Applications not used" disable "remove permissions and free
space".
If you want to see "all permissions", tap on the mini-hamburger menu top
right.
Or you can try, using the phone file manager, to save files in a
commonly accessible folder in your phone, perhaps /downloads.
Hrm. Is that subdirectory actually common? How can I tell except by
trial and error?
It is standard, but name can vary. Files says it in Spanish for me.
Maybe your pdf reader can ask for permission to read some folders, or
maybe all folders, on the phone.
I would think that that was the default, at least for files that it
was built to handle, but apparently I was mistaken.
No, when it runs the first time it asks Android for permissions, and may
be able to access all PDF only on some directories.
And Android by default will remove all permissions 2 or 3 months later
if no usage.
A serious annoyance when you suddenly NEED to use that app in a hurry
and have to jump through an additional hoop. Is there any way to change this?
I just tried the Pixel's "community help" function, but don't
expect much -- certainly nothing from the suggestions. I have 200+
apps. I don't want to handle each one separately for obvious reasons :-(
In the All Settings / Supported book formats menu I just noticed second
from the bottom a "Offer this app to view any...". I switched it from
NO to YES. This seemed to solve the problem on my Pixel2 but not on
hubby's Lenovo tablet :-(
[1] '/Android' is actually something like '/Interal storage/Android'
(and possibly also something like '/<SD whatever>/Android', if you have
a SD-card).
Ugh. The subdirectories I most use for manipulation of files are all
subs of / . Life is too short to type long shit.
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